3 Useful Tips to Seize the Timing of Your Next Rack Focus

Asked to carry out a rack focus? Well, the pressure could not be higher. Although it’s important for you to lead the way when it comes to focus, you need to ensure you seize it. Adding to it, you also want to carry out the rack focus considering the right style and accurate speed.

What is Rack Focus or Pulling Focus Technique?

Rack focus or focus pull is one of the great techniques employed often by cinematographers in Hollywood. This is the technique where a subject in a scene (foreground or background) remains in focus. Then the focus progressively changes to another subject in a scene. This technique lets the cinematographer lay a strong and theatrical emphasis on one subject followed by changing the emphasis to another. It’s often considered for those scenes where there’s a dramatic dialog exchange between characters.

Well, I got up close and personal with an expert who explained what rack focusing was all about.

What do you usually hear when people talk about pulling focus? They mention that it’s both an art and a science. When we talk about the art part, it’s the “touch” one puts into pulling focus. Also, it’s got to do with how fast you do it, and how long it lasts.

The science part, on the other hand, is about measuring distances, calculating them on the fly, and being very accurate when it comes to measurements. And that plays a very significant role in terms of rack focusing.

Simply put, rack focus is when there are two subjects in a frame and the focal plane’s shift from one to the other when a shot is in process. When you do that, you’re shifting the focus of the audience as well between the two subjects. It goes without saying that rack focus is a very powerful tool. If truth be told, it happens to be one of the most effective tools that every filmmaker just cannot do without. Speed is a very crucial part of performing a rack focus in the right way.

When it comes to determining the speed of a rack focus, there are three important things to consider, including:

1.Action in a scene,
2.Camera Movement, and
3.Tone of the Scene.

Let’s examine all these scenes one by one for better understanding of rack focus.

Action in a Scene

So the first essential thing to take into account is how action affects the speed of a rack focus.

Do you remember it was about a tennis player going into a baseball batting cage in order to better shots for Andy Roddick’s serve at the Australian Open? I specifically talked about how the tennis player goes into the batting cage and the door shots. And then I had to rack focus from the face of the actor to the door of the cage.

When I took my first few takes, I liteally goofed up. I almost found myself in a state of shock knowing I did not hit my marks. The job was not accomplished then I was so looking forward to. The director, in spite of knowing we were running out of schedule, got ready to move on, and I intervened there and then.

I said, “Josh give me one more take and I assure you there shall be no disappointments.”

I owed a big one to him for having granted me one more take which I did it without fail.

One important thing to take notice of is how the rack focus almost seems invisible. Why is it invisible? Simply because it’s covered by the action. The actor steps in his face is in focus. This is because motion haze you otherwise won’t be able to take notice of that it is out of focus. And by the time it shuts, it is in focus and there you go.

Camera Movement

Now the second most important thing that influences the speed of rack focus is the camera movement.

This shot has gained immense popularity. And it can have either a dolly or steadicam or jib or a crane or some type of camera movement device move a shot along. On spur of moment, something new gets exposed into the frame.

Now there’s a mailbox. You can easily read the name on it. As the dolly is on the move it’s disclosed that there is a man who is walking up to the front door. And that’s how we develop a connection between the man, and supposedly, what’s his name or the mailbox. And if this is not the man we’re looking at, then we’ll find out who “J. Fox” is.

And that’s how the speed of this type of rack focus is determined by the reveal.

Tone of the Scene

Now here comes the final thing - the tone which is going to affect your rack focus. It could be the tone of the story, the tone of the scene, or even of a shot in particular.

Does the scene seem tense? Maybe a quick rack focus is excellent.

Does it happen to be dull? In this case a slow, efficient rack focus might seem more suitable.

If you ask me, I won’t be in a position to offer you any advice on which one is the right choice. This is because it is so coincidental. In fact, it plays so laboriously into the specific object that you are on at the moment.

Well, all I can offer you is - if you do not know naturally - it’s wise to seek an opinion from the DP. I have never come across a situation where I have not known (naturally) how fast to carry out a rack focus. Watching rehearsals without a pause makes me get a feeling through the dialogue what exactly the scene is about. Or, I ask the DP. If you’re a movie buff, you get a feeling of what seems more applicable.

Too quick or too slow? Don’t fret! The DP will perhaps tell you about it.

Conclusion

No doubt pulling focus is undoubtedly the most important duty of the 1st Assistant Camera. A shot can be appealingly illuminated, flawlessly framed, and feature some Oscar-worthy acting, but if it is not in focus, it’ll probably find its way to the cutting room floor. You don’t want this to happen, do you?

Top 7 Must Have Accessories for your First DSLR

Thinking about getting a new DSLR? Or, just got one? Been using for a long time? You would be surprised to take a plunge into the wealth of DSLR video accessories. These accessories will help you transform your profession i.e., photography in the best way you could possibly think of.

Well, we are not saying that you will not be able to exploit cutting-edge accessories straight out of the box. If you want your DSLR to work in your favor at every step of the way, you will need to make a sound investment not only in lenses in a mint condition but several other photo accessories as well.

Here we’ve put together a list of 7 accessories you ought to have for your DSLR camera:

1.Tripod

A tripod plays a very crucial role when it comes to capturing a good shot. This accessory provides one a method of holding the camera at precisely the right angle and keeping it still. That way the images produced will be pin-sharp and loaded with detail.

Make sure you hold yourself back if you come across a cheap, shaky tripod. It’s evident that you want something robust that will keep your camera still in a breeze. Ensure that the tripod should not falter like a jelly every time you touch it or the DSLR.

Instead look for a tripod that expands to close the level of your eyes, still allowing you to take a shot close to the ground. Know that clip locks on the legs are deemed to be good for rapid formation. But twist locks consume less room so they’re considered somewhat good when it comes to transporting the tripod.

2.Camera Lenses

A lot of people live with a perception that having a fancy camera allows one to take fancy photos. But this statement does not hold true. This is because it is more about the lenses than the camera body itself. And most often it’s about the person behind the camera, but the fact remains true that having a good camera is having triumphed over the battle.

Keep in mind that there are two types of lenses: Prime and Fixed. These lenses have one depth of field - they do not zoom in, nor do they zoom out. Zoom lenses can zoom in and out through diverse depths. Many people out there greatly emphasize on using the 50mm f/1.8 lens. Not only is this lens versatile, it’s reasonably priced when compared to other lenses.

3.Spare Batteries

The fact remains true that there’s been a breakthrough in the camera battery technology. When you’re busy shooting outdoors or traveling, odds are you’d be running low on battery, especially if you’re shooting in a cold environment. 

You don’t want to run out of juice when shooting something great, do you? So make sure you carry one spare battery for your DSLR while traveling or even you’re going for an outdoor shoot. Using a flash? Then carry spare AA batteries as well. You’ll get at most 1.5 hours of shooting from a single battery, so grabbing one extra is the best bet.

4.A Good Camera Bag

Bought your DSLR? Now don’t let time slip you by and get a good camera bag for your camera. You will need the right bag so you can keep your investment safe and sound as well as transport it between location without hassles. But when it comes to choosing the best camera bag, you’ll find yourself in an overwhelming situation. It may get awfully tough for you to make the right decision. So you should look for the bag with more room allowing you to accommodate everything you need.

Most often people end up buying a camera bag with limited space that does not allow them to place their gear. They replace the bag often. You can consider a backpack if you want, or you can choose from a sling bag and shoulder bag depending on your needs.

5.Remote Shutter Release

A remote shutter release (one of the most important DSLR video accessories) for your camera along with the tripod is a must. Your DSLR can easily shake on a long lens setup no matter you’re using a robust tripod. When you work with slow shutter speeds, even bit of variation can make your image hazy.

A remote shutter release will allow you to fire your DSLR even without having to touch it. There are plenty of entry level cameras that have infrared remotes. They are extremely lightweight and compact. What’s more? They are wire

6.Filters

Neutral density filters are gaining immense popularity because allow you to take long exposure shots in daylight to dim water or cloud movement in landscapes. Adding to it, they also come in handy when you want to shoot with an extremely wide aperture in bright light.

At the same time, graduated neutral density filters let you balance the exposure of a bright sky with a foggy foreground. Polarising filters are useful allowing one to compress reflections and enhance saturation and contrast as well.

7.Lens and Sensor Cleaners

It goes without saying that you need keep your DSLR video accessories dirt free. A blower is beneficial for blowing tiny bits and dirt particles from your camera body and lens as well, before you give it a wipe using a soft lens cloth.

It’s sensible to make an investment in a sensor cleaning kit because, although DSLRs and compact system cameras have in-built cleaning tools, sticky pollen can find its way onto a sensor and it can rake some shifting.

Conclusion

While there’s no escaping the fact that some of the video accessories for your DSLR can cost you an arm and a leg, you can easily build up the system as you take a step forward. That way you’ll be able to plan out what seems significant and what you will need to begin with.