Which type of photography typically requires a greater depth of field?

Landscape photography typically requires a greater depth of field. This is because landscape photographers aim to capture vast scenes with elements both in the foreground and background in sharp focus. A greater depth of field ensures that this range of distances is clear, allowing all the details in the landscape to be visible, from the nearest flowers to distant mountains or skies.

To achieve a greater depth of field, photographers often use smaller apertures (higher f-stop numbers), which helps in maintaining clarity throughout the entire scene. This is essential in landscape photography, where the objective is to provide a comprehensive view of the environment, showcasing its depth and beauty.

In contrast, other types of photography, such as portrait, macro, and street photography, may not prioritize achieving a wide depth of field to the same extent. Portrait photography often benefits from a shallow depth of field to blur the background and emphasize the subject. Macro photography, while sometimes requiring more depth of field, often focuses very closely on small subjects, where limited depth can create an artistic effect. Street photography varies widely in approach, but typically captures spontaneous moments rather than emphasizing depth of field.