Using Hyperfocal Distance for Better Landscape Shots

When it comes to shooting landscapes, retaining the sharpness in the image all across can be a task to attain. Landscape images are very dependent on focus and often the best results are obtained when perfect focussing has been done. Knowing about the hyperfocal distance of the particular lens you are using or being able to calculate the approximate hyperfocal distance to get the best focus. We shall discuss about hyperfocal distance and how to get it right.

- Mrinmoy Choudhury

What is hyperfocal distance?

Hyperfocal distance is basically the distance that you can focus to at any given aperture, where the resulting depth of field will retain sharpness in the scene from as far away as infinity to the closest possible point. In simpler words, you focus at a particular point between the foreground and the background, which makes both the foreground and the background elements of the scene appear reasonably sharp. This focussing point is called the hyperfocal distance.

Note: Hyperfocal distance itself can be a complex topic to understand. If you are a beginner, it’s recommended to read about aperture and depth of field before you proceed to know about hyperfocal distance.

Focal length also has a huge impact on hyperfocal distance. As you zoom in, your hyperfocal distance moves farther and farther away. For a 20mm lens, you may need to focus just a few feet from your lens to get the horizon (distant background at infinity) acceptably sharp. On the other hand, for a 200mm lens, your hyperfocal distance may be hundreds of feet away.

When to Use Hyperfocal Distance