Selective focus is the use of limited depth of field to focus sharply on a specific object in a scene, while other parts are clearly out-of-focus.

Selective focus is an editing technique that can be used to make specific objects stand out in a photograph. Without selective focus, this task can be tricky, but the selective focus technique makes it very easy. This is a standard technique for professional photographers. It will keep the selected object sharp and in focus, while the rest of the shot will have blurred edges and appear to be out of focus.

Selective focus is often used for subject studies, to draw attention to a subject or part of a subject and evoke a meditative or contemplative mood when viewing the subject in context of its blurred but recognizable surroundings.