Real‑world examples of shallow depth of field (with tips)

When people think of shallow depth of field, they usually picture a portrait: a sharp face floating against a buttery, blurred background. Portraits are some of the best examples of shallow depth of field because they make it obvious where the viewer’s attention should go.

Imagine a headshot taken with an 85mm lens at f/1.8. The subject is about 6 feet from the camera, and the background trees are 20 feet behind them. The eyes are sharp, but the ears are already soft, and the leaves behind them turn into soft green circles. This is a textbook example of shallow depth of field in action: the subject is isolated, distractions are gone, and the viewer connects directly with the person.

Another portrait example of shallow depth of field shows up in environmental portraits—say, a chef in a busy kitchen. The chef’s face and hands are crisp, but the pots, pans, and staff behind them blur into color and light. You still sense the setting, but the chaos doesn’t compete with the story. These real examples of shallow depth of field prove that you don’t need a studio; you just need distance between your subject and the background, plus a wide aperture.

Everyday lifestyle shots: subtle examples include kids, pets, and candid moments

Some of the most relatable examples of shallow depth of field come from everyday life: kids playing in the yard, a dog on the couch, a partner reading by the window. Lifestyle photographers often shoot wide open (f/1.4–f/2.8) so the background melts away and the moment feels intimate.

Picture a toddler running toward you in late-afternoon light. You’re kneeling, using a 50mm lens at f/1.8. The child’s face is tack sharp, but the grass behind them turns into a soft green wash. Houses, fences, and toys in the distance are barely recognizable shapes. This kind of example of shallow depth of field works beautifully because it simplifies a cluttered suburban background into pure color and mood.

Or think about a pet portrait on a messy living room floor. Instead of cleaning the entire room, you position your dog a few feet from a wall, get close with a wide aperture, and let the clutter blur into gentle tones. These examples include all the chaos of real life—but shallow depth of field keeps the focus where it belongs.

Food and product photography: best examples for social media and ads

Scroll through Instagram and you’ll see endless examples of shallow depth of field in food and product shots. Brands and creators rely on it to make one item jump out in a crowded feed.

A common food photography setup might use a 50mm or 100mm macro lens around f/2.8. The front edge of a burger is sharp—melting cheese, sesame seeds, glistening sauce—while the fries and drink behind it turn into a soft blur. This is a perfect example of shallow depth of field used to sell a single bite.

In product photography, examples include a watch shot at an angle: the logo and hands are razor sharp, but the watch band and background fade away. Or a skincare bottle standing on a bathroom counter; only the front label is in focus, while the towels, plants, and tiles behind it become soft shapes. These real examples of shallow depth of field are everywhere in 2024–2025 marketing campaigns because they create that “premium” feel without needing elaborate sets.

If you’re curious about how the eye is drawn to sharpness and contrast, resources on visual perception from universities such as the National Eye Institute (NEI) can give you a scientific backdrop for what photographers use creatively every day.

Street and documentary: using shallow focus without losing the story

Street photography is often associated with deep focus, where everything in the frame is sharp. But some of the most powerful examples of shallow depth of field come from street and documentary work.

Imagine a protest scene. Instead of trying to keep every sign and face sharp, you focus on one person’s expression at f/2. The subject’s eyes and a single sign are crisp, while the crowd behind them blurs just enough to feel like a mass of energy. This example of shallow depth of field keeps the emotional core front and center.

Another scenario: a barista working behind a counter. Shot at f/1.8, the barista’s hands on the espresso machine are sharp, but the customers, menu boards, and decor behind them blend into soft patterns of light. You still understand the setting, but your attention doesn’t wander. These examples include the environment, yet shallow depth of field makes sure the story has a clear main character.

Close‑ups and macro: extreme examples of shallow depth of field

Macro photography gives some of the most dramatic examples of shallow depth of field you’ll ever see. When you’re inches away from a subject, depth of field becomes razor thin, even at moderate apertures like f/5.6 or f/8.

Think of a close‑up of a flower. Only a single petal edge and a few pollen grains are sharp; everything else—other petals, stems, background foliage—melts into abstract color. That’s an extreme example of shallow depth of field created by getting physically close.

In 2024–2025, macro shots of everyday objects—coffee beans, keyboards, vinyl records, makeup brushes—are all over social media. These real examples of shallow depth of field turn ordinary items into textures and patterns. You don’t need exotic subjects; you just need to move in close and control where you place your focus.

If you want to understand the optics behind this, introductory physics and photography resources from universities like MIT OpenCourseWare or Harvard’s digital learning resources are a helpful next step.

Smartphone photography: modern examples of shallow depth of field (and fake blur)

Not long ago, shallow depth of field was mostly the territory of larger cameras. Now, some of the most common examples of shallow depth of field are shot on phones using portrait modes and computational blur.

Modern phones use multiple lenses and software to simulate background blur. You tap on a face, and the phone keeps that face sharp while it blurs the rest. These examples include both real optical blur (from the lens) and software‑generated blur (from the processor). In bright light, you might get a mix of both.

A typical 2025 example of shallow depth of field from a phone might be a selfie in a busy city. You’re standing on a sidewalk, and behind you are cars, storefronts, and signs. With portrait mode on, your face stays in focus, while the city turns into soft shapes. It’s not always perfect—edges around hair or glasses can look odd—but it’s good enough that most people now expect this look from their everyday photos.

If you’re curious how much of this is optical vs. computational, tech‑oriented universities and labs sometimes publish accessible explanations of computational photography. While more technical, they connect directly to the kind of real examples of shallow depth of field you see on your phone screen every day.

How to create your own best examples of shallow depth of field

Let’s turn these examples into something you can actually do. You don’t need to memorize formulas; you just need to remember three levers you can control:

1. Aperture (the f‑number)
Use a lower f‑number for shallower depth of field. For example of settings that work well:

• Portraits: f/1.4–f/2.8 (if your lens allows)
• Food/products: f/2–f/4 for a sharp subject and soft background
• Macro: f/5.6–f/11 (still very shallow because you’re so close)

2. Distance to your subject
Move closer to your subject to increase blur. Many of the best examples of shallow depth of field you see online are shot quite close. A person’s face filling the frame will always give you shallower depth of field than a full‑body shot taken from farther away at the same settings.

3. Distance between subject and background
Put space behind your subject. If someone is standing right against a wall, that wall won’t blur much. Move them 5–10 feet away, and suddenly you get that smooth, soft background. This is why so many real examples of shallow depth of field are shot outdoors with trees, buildings, or lights far behind the subject.

Put these together, and you can design your own examples of shallow depth of field:

• A friend standing 8 feet away, with city lights 50 feet behind them, shot at f/1.8.
• A latte on a cafe table, with the rest of the cafe 15 feet away, shot at f/2.2.
• A flower 1 foot away from your lens, with the garden stretching out behind it, shot at f/4.

Each of these is a real‑world example of shallow depth of field you can try in an afternoon.

For a more formal explanation of depth of field and focus, photography programs and visual arts departments at universities often publish introductory material that lines up nicely with what you’re practicing in the field.

FAQ: common questions about examples of shallow depth of field

What are some everyday examples of shallow depth of field I can try at home?
Start with a portrait near a window, a close‑up of your morning coffee, and a plant on a table. Get close, set your aperture as wide as your lens allows, and make sure there’s some distance between your subject and the background. These everyday scenes give you quick, clear examples of shallow depth of field without leaving your house.

Can I get a good example of shallow depth of field with a kit lens?
Yes. Even a kit lens at f/3.5–f/5.6 can give you shallow depth of field if you get close and keep the background far away. Zoom in to the longest focal length, move closer to your subject, and place them several feet in front of the background. You won’t get the same blur as f/1.4, but you’ll still see a noticeable effect in your examples.

Are phone portrait modes real examples of shallow depth of field?
They’re a mix. The lens creates some natural blur, but the phone also uses software to separate subject from background and add extra blur. They’re still valid examples of shallow depth of field in the sense that they show the same visual idea: sharp subject, soft background. Just remember that the blur is partly simulated.

Why do my photos look soft when I try to copy these examples?
When depth of field is very shallow, focus becomes unforgiving. If you’re shooting portraits at f/1.4, focus on the eye closest to the camera and use a fast enough shutter speed to avoid camera shake. Slight movement can throw focus off, especially in low light. Many photographers stop down a bit (to f/2 or f/2.8) to get a safer, more reliable example of shallow depth of field.

Is shallow depth of field always better?
Not at all. It’s a creative tool, not a rule. Some stories need more of the scene in focus—landscapes, architecture, group photos. The best examples of shallow depth of field are the ones where blur actually helps the story: isolating a face, highlighting a product, or simplifying a chaotic background. Use it when it serves the image, not just because you can.

By studying these real‑world examples of shallow depth of field—and then going out to create your own—you’ll train your eye to see where blur helps, where it hurts, and how to control it with confidence.