What does 'Depth of Field' refer to in camera lenses?

Depth of Field refers specifically to the range of distance within a photo that appears acceptably sharp. When you focus on a specific subject in the frame, there are areas both in front and behind that subject which can also appear in focus to varying degrees. The area that remains sharp around the focus point is what defines the depth of field.

This area can be manipulated based on various factors such as the aperture setting, the distance to the subject, and the focal length of the lens. A wider aperture (a smaller f-number) will produce a shallower depth of field, leading to a pronounced background blur, while a narrower aperture (larger f-number) increases the depth of field, bringing more elements into sharp focus. Understanding depth of field is crucial for photographers aiming to achieve specific creative effects or to ensure clarity across multiple elements within their compositions.