Which of the following is a method to decrease depth of field?

Widening the aperture is a well-known method to decrease depth of field in photography. When the aperture is widened, which corresponds to using a larger f-stop number (such as f/2.8 rather than f/16), more light enters the lens and creates a shallower plane of focus. This results in a more pronounced separation between the subject and the background, allowing the subject to stand out sharply against a blurred background.

While the concept involves managing light, it primarily affects the depth of field, which is the extent of the scene that appears in focus. A wider aperture reduces the depth of field, making it ideal for portraits or any scene where a photographer wants to emphasize the main subject while rendering the background out of focus. This technique is especially beneficial in creating a bokeh effect, which enhances the aesthetic quality of photographs.

In contrast, moving farther from the subject would actually increase depth of field, as it allows more of the scene to be in focus. Increasing the shutter speed does not directly affect depth of field; instead, it primarily impacts exposure and motion blur. Lastly, using a smaller f-stop number, such as f/16, would correspond to a deeper depth of field, pulling more of the image into focus rather than