Focus

Te word focus means centre of attention. This uniquely photographic attribute is created by both the focus and the aperture controls on the camera. The FOCUS control centres on the on the part of the image, and when in focus, the area is clear, sharp and detailed, with distinctions between forms. When out of focus the area is cloudy, indistinct and vague, with blurriness between forms.

The aperture control centres depth of field, the area that is in focus. Aperture measures the distance from the end of the focus area to the focal centre (image the perimeter of the circle and its centre). A shallow depth of field is in focus only to a small degree around the focal area.

For example in the picture above, the boy in the fourth row is clearly rendered, while the branches in the foreground are blurry.

• What can you see clearly in this picture?
• What is unclear?
• How does focus capture our attention? Can sharp focus capture our attention an much as blurry can?
• As a result of focus, does the subject gain or loose significance?
• Does the subject seem realistic or idealised?