FOCAL DEPTH Meaning and
Definition
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Focal depth refers to the distance between the nearest and farthest points in an image or scene that appear in focus when using a camera or optical instrument. It is a term commonly used in photography, cinematography, and microscopy.
In photography, focal depth is determined by the aperture setting on the camera lens. A smaller aperture (higher f-number) results in a larger focal depth, meaning a greater range of the scene will appear in sharp focus. Conversely, a larger aperture (lower f-number) decreases the focal depth, resulting in a narrower plane of focus and creating a more pronounced background blur, often referred to as "bokeh."
In cinematography, focal depth is often used creatively to selectively draw attention to certain elements within a scene, by choosing a specific focal point and intentionally blurring the foreground or background. By controlling the focal depth, filmmakers can create dynamic and aesthetically pleasing visuals that enhance the storytelling.
Similarly, in microscopy, focal depth refers to the distance over which an object or specimen appears sharp and clear when viewed through a microscope. It is influenced by the numerical aperture of the microscope's objective lens and the thickness of the specimen. By adjusting the microscope's focus, one can explore different layers within the specimen and observe specific details at varying focal depths.
Overall, focal depth plays a crucial role in controlling focus and visual perception, allowing photographers, cinematographers, and scientists to capture and examine images with varying degrees of depth and clarity.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FOCAL DEPTH
- docal depth
- cocal depth
- vocal depth
- gocal depth
- tocal depth
- rocal depth
- fical depth
- fkcal depth
- flcal depth
- fpcal depth
- f0cal depth
- f9cal depth
- foxal depth
- foval depth
- fofal depth
- fodal depth
- foczl depth
- focsl depth
- focwl depth
- focql depth
Etymology of FOCAL DEPTH
The word "focal" is derived from the Late Latin term "focus", which means "fireplace" or "hearth". It later acquired the meaning of "point of convergence", which is its current sense in optics. The term "depth" originates from the Old English word "deop" or "dep", which means "deep" or "profound". When combined, "focal depth" refers to the distance between the nearest and farthest points in an image that appear sharp and in focus.
