In photography, what does 'depth of field' refer to?

• A. The level of detail in the photo
• B. The area in focus within an image
• C. The light exposure of the image
• D. The color balance of the photo

Answer: (B)

Depth of field refers specifically to the area in focus within an image. In photography, it defines the range of distance within a scene that appears sharp and clear. A shallow depth of field results in only a small part of the image being in focus, typically used to isolate the subject from the background, creating a blurred effect around it. Conversely, a deep depth of field keeps a larger range of distances in focus, which is often desirable in landscape photography to ensure that both the foreground and background are sharp.

The other options touch on different aspects of photography but do not accurately capture what depth of field is. The level of detail in a photo involves factors like resolution and clarity rather than the focus range. Light exposure concerns the brightness and darkness of the image, and color balance deals with the accuracy of colors, both of which are separate from how focus operates within a scene.