What does "depth of field" signify in photography?

Depth of field refers specifically to the range within a photograph that appears acceptably sharp and in focus. It is a crucial concept in photography because it influences how much of the scene is clearly defined and how much is blurred. A shallow depth of field allows for a selective focus effect, where the subject is sharp while the background is beautifully blurred, which can help emphasize the subject and create a sense of depth. Conversely, a deep depth of field keeps a larger portion of the scene in sharp focus, which is often desired in landscape photography to ensure that both foreground and background elements are discernible. Understanding depth of field enables photographers to manipulate focus creatively to achieve the desired visual outcome in their work.