Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What type of depth of field do wide angle lenses inherently have?

1. Shallow

2. Large

3. Narrow

4. Variable

The correct answer is: Large

Wide angle lenses inherently have a large depth of field due to their design and the physics of how they capture images. When using a wide angle lens, the focal length is shorter, which allows for a greater range of distances to remain in focus. This results in a scene where objects in the foreground, mid-ground, and background can all be captured sharply. Additionally, the larger depth of field is influenced by the aperture setting and the distance from the subject. Wide angle lenses usually offer the capability to use smaller apertures (higher f-stop numbers) without affecting exposure dramatically, further enhancing the depth of field. As a result, when you photograph landscapes or group scenes with a wide angle lens, you can achieve great clarity across various planes of the image, which is why it is a popular choice for such compositions. In contrast, narrow or shallow depth of field is more commonly associated with longer focal lengths and larger apertures, as they isolate subjects by allowing only a specific plane to remain in focus. Therefore, recognizing the inherent characteristics of wide angle lenses is essential for photographers looking to create images with extensive sharpness throughout the frame.