Depth of field - looking at f-stops

Below are two set of three photos each, taken at different f-stops and distances from the background and subject.  Compare these to yesterday's photos and you'll see the difference it makes as you close your aperture.  The first set of three was taken at f 4.5 (compared to yesterday's photos taken at f 1.4)  The second set of photos was taken at f 9.  Many cameras/lenses don't open wider than f 4, so it's difficult to get the softly blurred background shown in yesterday's photos.

Santa about 4 feet from tree
50mm lens; f 4.5
Camera about 1 foot from Santa

Santa about 2 feet from tree
50mm lens; f 4.5
Camera about 1 ft from Santa

 

Santa about 4 feet from tree
50mm lens; f 4.5
Camera about 4 feet from Santa

Santa about 4 feet from tree
50mm lens; f 4.5
Camera about 1 foot from Santa
Note:  Compare detail in lights and tree between
f 1.4 (yesterday's shots); f 4.5 and f 9

Santa about 2 feet from tree
50mm lens; f 4.5
Camera about 1 foot from Santa
Note:  More background detail 

Santa about 4 feet from tree
50mm lens; f4.5
Camera about 4 feet from Santa
Note:  With Santa close to tree and smaller aperture,
getting detail in both Santa and background