The physics behind depth-of-field...?

Hey, all.

I'm an amateur photographer, and I understand a little about the
behavior of light - but I'd like to understand it on a bit of a more
fundamental level.

For example: I know that in photography, if your aperture is small,
your depth of field is greater - that is, objects are in focus even if
they are not exactly at your focal range.

I also know that the width of the aperture has an inverse effect on the
size of the depth of field: large aperture = thin depth of field.

My question is, why?

What is it about varying size apertures that affects light's focal
range in this fashion?

I believe that the principle involved is similar to that which tells us
that a solar eclipse can be viewed on a piece of paper behind a piece
of foil with a tiny hole in it - but not a large hole.

Can someone reference an article that addresses this topic?

Thanks!!

BD

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: The physics behind depth-of-field...?
    ... > I'm an amateur photographer, and I understand a little about the ... > they are not exactly at your focal range. ... > I also know that the width of the aperture has an inverse effect on the ... > of foil with a tiny hole in it - but not a large hole. ...
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  • Re: The physics behind depth-of-field...?
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