The Hyperfocal Distance

In this FotoTV feature, Ralph Lambrecht demystifies hyperfocal distance and depth of field zones. Lambrecht explains two definitions of the hyperfocal distance, the first is the closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp, the focus distance with the maximum depth of field.

When the lens is focused at this distance, all objects at distances from half of the hyperfocal distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp. Second, the hyperfocal distance is the distance beyond which all objects are acceptably sharp, for a lens focused at infinity.

The hyperfocal distance is entirely dependent upon what level of sharpness is considered to be acceptable and as we learn from Lambrecht, the most most significant variable of the hyperfocal distance is lens aperture and its respective settings. This allows for selective focus to implement creative applications in photography to either highlight or emphasize an element or area of a scene.