The Influence Of Depth Of Field On The Perception Of Detail In Still-Life Photography

This article examines the influence of depth of field on the perception of detail in product photography of jewelry. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that in macro photography of jewelry, microscopic elements of facet cutting and polishing determine the value of the piece, while a shallow depth of field simultaneously represents a risk and a creative tool, since even a minimal focusing error can conceal important details; at the same time, the choice of an optimal focus zone directly affects viewer trust and the commercial success of the images. This work aims to establish a quantitative relationship between the width of the focus zone and the subjectively perceived level of detail, to determine the threshold depth of field at which an observer ceases to notice micro‑surface defects, and to develop recommendations for optimal shooting settings for catalog, advertising, and artistic photography of jewelry. The novelty of the research lies in the synthesis of optical depth‑of‑field calculations with data from macro calculators and diffraction theory, in the integration of psychophysiological results from eye‑tracking and the flicker paradigm with behavioral analyses of consumer perception, and in the formulation of practical recommendations based on consensus among focus‑stacking, tilt‑shift, and lighting experts in jewellery photography. The main findings indicate that stopping down from f/4 to f/8 doubles depth of field, although further aperture reduction is limited by diffraction at around f/11; at a 1:1 macro ratio with an f/8 aperture and a 100 mm focal length, the physical width of the focus zone is only 0.6 mm, necessitating a 15‑frame focus‑stacking sequence with 0.1 mm steps; a shallow depth of field significantly reduces likes and purchase intent (coefficients −0.23 and −0.94), a moderate setting constructs a clear visual hierarchy without losing context, while an extremely shallow depth of field intensifies emotional response but prolongs change detection time; optimal shooting regimes range from f/8 with focus stacking for catalogs to f/4 for advertising macro scenes and moderate apertures for social media. This article will be valuable to professional jewelry photographers, e-commerce specialists, marketers, and researchers in the field of visual perception.