How do you blur foreground only?

[nikonusersince2007]

I know you can blur background only by using an open aperature like F 2.4.
But how do you blur foreground only and have the background in focus?

Thanks

 

[480sparky]

Learn about Depth of Field (DoF), and how different lenses, focal lengths, sensor sizes, etc. affect it.

The biggest secret is to focus manually.

 

[Rephargotohp]

Shallow DOF, focus on the Background instead of your Foreground subject

 

[Pictorbski]

When you're shooting with a shallow depth of field (ie f2.8 - f1.2) you will create blur anywhere you are not immediately focused on. So if you want to blur the foreground, focus on something in the back ground and make sure you have your foreground subjects close to the lens, the closer they are, the more blurred they'll be.

 

[cgipson1]

Figure out what DOF you need .... Online Depth of Field Calculator

 

[Garbz]

Older lenses used to have depth of field indicators on them. That really helped. Either use a calculator online, download an app that does the calculation for your smartphone, or print out a depth of field table for your lens and camera: Depth of Field Table

 

[Robin Usagani]

I would think the other way. Use more depth of field. Focus just a little bit behind the subject (make sure subject is still in focus).

Shallow DOF, focus on the Background instead of your Foreground subject

 

[Edsport]

Blurring the foreground is the same as blurring the background. Instead of focusing on the background you focus on the foreground...

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Use a larger aperture and focus it to hyperfocal distance. Place your subject around the place you're focusing and it's best to use a longer focal length because more depth of field is distributed in front of the focused area.

 

[nikonusersince2007]

I still don't quite understand what "Focal Length" is.
Is "focal length" the distance from the camera to the subject I am focusing on?
Or
is it the distance from the subject I am focusing on to the backdrop/background)?

Use a larger aperture and focus it to hyperfocal distance. Place your subject around the place you're focusing and it's best to use a longer focal length because more depth of field is distributed in front of the focused area.

 

[Big Mike]

Focal length - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Focal length is essentially the 'zoom setting' on your lens.

 

[Big Mike]

 

[Robin Usagani]

Love that diagram.

 

[nikonusersince2007]

What do the green square bars mean in front and behind each of the people in the charts above?

 

[Robin Usagani]

The green means everything in that region is in focus.