How does using the zoom function affect the background?

Using the zoom function impacts the background by affecting its focus and perceived blur. When you zoom in on a subject, the camera's field of view narrows, allowing you to isolate the subject from the rest of the scene. This can result in a shallower depth of field, which means that parts of the image that are not the main subject may appear more out of focus or blurry.

The blurriness of the background helps to emphasize the subject and draw the viewer's attention directly to it. This effect is especially pronounced when using a longer focal length to zoom in, as the depth of field tends to decrease, enhancing the separation between the subject and the background. Thus, the use of the zoom function can significantly alter how the background appears relative to the main subject in your photograph.