Depth of field refers to the range of distance that appears in focus in a photograph. A narrow depth of field blurs the background and foreground, emphasizing the subject. Depth of field depends on the distance to the subject and the aperture - closer distances and wider apertures decrease depth of field. The rule of thirds suggests composing images so that points of interest lie along imaginary lines that divide the frame into thirds, creating a more balanced and engaging photograph. Understanding factors like depth of field and composition techniques can improve one's ability to creatively capture images.