Inside the booth
Keep a row of friends inside the booth camera’s focus depth
Depth of field depends on distance, aperture and the detail standard you need.
When two people stand at different distances from a fixed camera, one face can be sharp while the other is soft. Depth of field describes the acceptable focus range, but “acceptable” depends on output size and detail.
Focus is a range, not a line
Depth of field concerns how image quality changes as subject distance moves in front of and behind the focus plane. It depends on lens, aperture, magnification and the resolution standard used to call an image sharp. A phone’s portrait preview may hide the softness visible in a print.
Evidence: Optics engineering guide
Place faces at a similar distance
Mark the normal seat or standing line and ask a group to align shoulders rather than leaning one face toward the lens. Capture a test with eyes at different depths and inspect each person at final strip size. Lock focus if the camera keeps choosing the nearest face.
Change the setup deliberately
Where controls are available, a smaller aperture can increase the range in focus, though it reduces light and may require a longer exposure or more illumination. Recheck motion blur after any change. Do not assume an aperture number guarantees the same depth across different cameras.
Evidence: Camera manufacturer guide
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Edmund Optics, Depth of Field and Depth of FocusOptics engineering guide
- Nikon, Understanding Maximum ApertureCamera manufacturer guide