What does "depth of field" mean in an AI image prompt — depth of field
Depth of field — in Italian profondità di campo — indicates the portion of space that appears sharp and in focus in an image. A shallow DoF isolates the subject with a blurred background; a deep DoF keeps everything sharp from foreground to horizon.
🦊 Teo prefers shallow depth of field: always in the center of attention, perfectly in focus. The world in the background? An irrelevant detail.
With Prompt Reverser you can automatically identify the type of depth of field / profondità di campo in any AI image.
Definition: what is depth of field in an AI prompt
Depth of field (English, abbreviated DoF) = profondità di campo (Italian) In AI image prompts, depth of field indicates how much of the image appears sharp and in focus. A shallow DoF shows only the main subject sharp with a blurred background. A deep DoF keeps everything in focus.
Shallow vs Deep Depth of Field: the fundamental difference
| Term EN | Term IT | Effect | When to use | |---|---|---|---| | shallow depth of field | profondità di campo ridotta | Only main subject in focus, background blurred | Portraits, product photography, macro | | deep depth of field | profondità di campo ampia | Everything in focus from foreground to background | Landscapes, architecture, group photos | | extreme shallow depth of field | profondità di campo estremamente ridotta | Only a razor-thin portion in focus | Macro, extreme detail | | everything in focus | tutto a fuoco | Maximum sharpness throughout | Documentary, landscape |
Shallow depth of field: prompt examples
portrait of a woman, shallow depth of field,
eyes in sharp focus, creamy bokeh backgroundartisan coffee and pastry, extreme shallow depth of field,
food in sharp focus, background completely blurred, overhead shotDeep depth of field: prompt examples
mountain landscape with wildflower meadow in foreground,
deep depth of field, everything sharp, wide angle, golden hourfacade of a Gothic cathedral, sharp throughout,
every stone detail visible, wide angle lensTerms related to depth of field in AI prompts (English → Italian)
| Term EN | Term IT | Use | |---|---|---| | shallow depth of field | profondità di campo ridotta | Standard for portraits and subject isolation | | deep depth of field | profondità di campo ampia | Landscapes, architecture, groups | | bokeh | bokeh / sfocatura artistica | Aesthetic quality of the blurred zone | | tilt-shift | tilt-shift | Selective blur, miniature effect | | selective focus | messa a fuoco selettiva | Only a specific part of the image in focus | | out of focus background | sfondo fuori fuoco | Descriptive alternative to shallow DoF | | sharp focus | fuoco netto | Indicates the element that must be sharp |
Depth of field and visual meaning
Shallow DoF → this subject matters, the context doesn't Deep DoF → every element of this scene has equal value
This is why photojournalism almost always uses deep DoF (context is part of the story) while advertising photography almost always uses shallow DoF (the product is the only thing that matters).
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about "depth of field" in AI prompts
What does depth of field mean in an AI prompt? Depth of field means how much of the image is in focus: shallow DoF (only the main subject sharp) or deep DoF (everything in focus).
How do I use shallow depth of field in Midjourney? By adding shallow depth of field to the prompt. Specifying a focal length (85mm lens, 50mm f/1.8) reinforces the effect.
What is the difference between depth of field and bokeh? Depth of field is a technical measure. Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blurred zone. They are complementary.
What do I write to have everything in focus? deep depth of field, everything in focus, everything sharp, or f/11 aperture.
What do I write to have only the subject in focus? shallow depth of field + specify what must be sharp: eyes in sharp focus, subject in focus, background blurred.
How do I replicate the depth of field of an image I like? With Prompt Reverser: upload the image and the tool identifies the DoF type with the exact term ready to use.
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