Comments on: Where to Focus in Landscape Photography

By: jayakumar

jayakumar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:25:44 +0000

i’ve read all the responses. there are differences of opinions. this may not be a thumb rule but for beginner, or a person who has not really focussed on this, this is a very good tip. thank you.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:40:56 +0000

Focus on the Hyper Focal point will achieve maximum DOF, the 1/3 split rule does not always work, the longer lens, the closer to 50/50 split.

By: MeiTeng

MeiTeng — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:06:23 +0000

I have been wondering about where to focus in landscape photography. Thanks for sharing this. I learned something new today.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:34:23 +0000

Greg said “Depth of field extends 1/3 in front and 2/3. This is why focusing 1/3 into the frame can work so well.”

And that’s all you need to know. This holds true for any focal length. Always remember, as Greg states, depth of field will extend 1/3 in front of where you focus and 2/3 behind the focal point. The closer you get to the subjct the shallower DOF becomes. Consequently, the further you move away from the subject the deeper DOF becomes, BUT the ratio always remains the same, 1/3 in front, 2/3rd behind the plane of focus.

I don’t think there is any need to get hung up on Hyperfocal focussing. Setting your aperture to your lens’ sharpest f-stop (probably f8 or f11) you’ll have acceptable sharpness (unless you’re 3 feet away….).

By: Paul Kirkbride

Paul Kirkbride — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:25:03 +0000

I have a particular question that has arisen as a result of my moving from an older style film camera (Nikon 601, 35-135mm zoom) to a compact digital (Canon G10). When using my old film camera for landscape shots I’d usually stop down to whatever was possible (usually F16-F22 and usually with the aid of a tripod) and use a handy little focussing calculator that indicated the depth of focus for the lens at the particular perture and indicated the midpoint of the field. The idea is to then focus the camera (by hand) at that midpoint, thereby ensuring sharp focus from infinity to as close a possible to the camera (hyperfocal focussing it is called). It gives good results, and I was interested to see your rule of thumb using the bottom third as the region at which to focus. I must try that.
My question is this. My little Canon has a minimum aperture of F8. How does the depth of field in this compact digital relate to depth of focus in a 35mm film camera? I have the feeling that F8 with a compact digital might have an equivalent depth of field to about F16 on a 35mm camera, but I can’t quite work out why that should be the case. Is there a rule of thumb that can be used here?

By: Greg McKinnon

Greg McKinnon — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:02:56 +0000

Depth of field extends 1/3 in front and 2/3. This is why focusing 1/3 into the frame can work so well.

By: Klaidas

Klaidas — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:00:31 +0000

I was allways wondering about this…

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:40:31 +0000

I’ve been reading about DoF and hyperfocal distance calculations and real use for a while and the 1/3 principle is certainly a good “rule of thumb” that will work in most circumstances. I also have DoF installed on my Pocket PC Ipaq 4700 and it works fine. Hint: for a Canon 30D set the resolution to 52.6 lines per mm and the results are more accurate.

By: John

John — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:48:02 +0000

I guess the tip would make sense…as a general rule…

i have a further question though – at what part of the “thirdway” should focus be pointed at? middle? left ? right? object nearest you? farthest? midpoint?

By: Stan

Stan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:48:38 +0000

Thanks for this tip, didn’t think about it before, but it makes sense :)