On SLRs and DSLRs, shallow depth of field is achieved by
narrowing or widening the aperture (the opening of the lens's diaphragm through which light passes through), which in turn
narrows or widens the
focal plane.
But in a couple situations that super-wide lens caused me issues with the camera «missing» focus, since the
focal plane is so
narrow — moving to a tap - to - focus for more artsy shots where I had a specific subject in mind fixed that right up, though.