Focus & depth of field · Core
Depth of field
Also called: DOF
ELI5
The amount of the image that appears acceptably sharp from near to far.
Used in conversation
“Keep the depth of field shallow enough to isolate her from the crowd.”
Definition
The range of distances that appear acceptably sharp in an image.
Here “Depth of field” means: The range of distances that appear acceptably sharp in an image.
Pitch context
This term helps a treatment describe how the camera or light will shape the viewer's experience.
Why it matters: Explains what the image should look like and how it can be framed, captured and lit.
Connected terms
- Deep focusComputed from definition language and shared taxonomy. This indicates proximity, not synonymy.
Sources & evidence · 10
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — Academy Color Encoding System DocumentationDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Adobe — Adobe Premiere Pro User GuideDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- AICP — Suggested Best Practices for Bidding and Bidding Reference GuideDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Directors Guild of America — DGA Creative Rights HandbookDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Epic Games — In-Camera VFX Best PracticesDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers — SMPTE Time Code StandardsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- ARRI — Lens and Camera Technical ResourcesSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences / ACES — ACES Glossary and User GuidesSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- ScreenSkills — Online Learning Glossary and Job ProfilesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Epic Games — In-Camera VFX OverviewSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14