The Power of Camera Focus (MMM#55)

Greetings all,

Madeline here, back with another Movie Minute! We just got back from C2CT, so why not start August off with a blog on why focus and depth of field matter in filmmaking?

Every camera, whether a professional DSLR/mirrorless camera or even the one on your phone, uses focus so that the subject of the photo appears crisp and clear compared to anything in the background. If the subject appears out of focus and thus blurred, it can ruin the presentation of the content. Many cameras have the ability to automatically adjust the focus, but its effectiveness can vary based on the camera or the lens. On cameras like the GH5, we typically use manual focus, while the Sony A7IV, when used with G-Master lenses, has a great autofocus feature that is useful for interviews and run-and-gun b-roll capture.

The depth of field, which determines how much of the image can be in or out of focus, can also vary by lens, and adjusting the aperture for exposure can change the depth of field- more shallow means more of what the lens is looking at will be in focus.  Of course, while some may attempt to have everything in the picture in focus, doing so might negate the ability to utilize bokeh– the visual appeal provided when things in the background are out of focus. Whenever we do professional portraits or headshots as well as other cinematic shots, we utilize bokeh to make the presentation of the video more cleaner and immersive, which is especially helpful for things like interviews.

Overall, focus is one of the most important and powerful mechanics when shooting footage that can make or break its presentation. When used diligently, it can empower your image in a way that will be appealing to those who see it.

And that concludes this entry in The Movie Minute. Wishing you all the best, and see y’all in 2! -Madeline

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