In a nutshell
- Rack focus is a powerful cinematographic technique that shifts focus within a shot to guide the viewer’s attention and add depth to a scene.
- This technique can emphasize key details, convey emotions or build suspense by transitioning focus between subjects on different planes.
- Achieving a rack focus shot requires the right gear, careful setup and practice to ensure smooth and impactful focus transitions.
Have you ever noticed how some scenes in movies or TV shows seem to pull your attention from one subject to another? One of the ways productions achieve this is by using rack focus. This technique shifts the focus within a single shot, smoothly transitioning from one part of the frame to another. It’s a simple but effective way to guide the viewer’s eye, add depth and create visual interest.
But there’s a lot more to it. Let’s go over how it works, as well as offer a few examples of how it can — and has — been used.
What is rack focus?
Rack focus is a cinematographic technique that shifts the viewer’s attention within a scene by changing the focus from one subject to another. This dynamic adjustment moves focus between different planes, such as from a character in the foreground to an object in the background or vice versa. The result is a smooth and intentional transition that draws the audience’s eye exactly where the filmmaker wants it.
Rack focus can emphasize key details, create emotional tension or highlight connections between characters and objects. For example, imagine a scene where a character nervously reads a letter. The focus starts on their anxious face, then shifts to the words on the page, revealing critical information to the audience. Or, in a romantic scene, rack focus might move from one person’s longing gaze to the object of their affection, adding emotional weight to the moment.
When done well, rack focus adds depth and intrigue to a scene. It contrasts the sharpness of the subject in focus with the intentional blur of everything else.
Why rack focus shots are used
We’ve already explored a few reasons why videographers use rack focus shots, but there are many more. Here are some of them:
- Directing the viewer’s attention: This is the most common use of rack focus. By adjusting the focus, filmmakers can guide the audience’s gaze to specific elements or characters in the frame, ensuring that viewers notice crucial details or emotions.
- Emphasizing key elements: Rack focus allows filmmakers to highlight important objects, faces, symbols or nearly anything else. This reinforces their significance in the narrative and draws the audience’s focus to them.
- Adding depth and dynamics: By leveraging the contrast between what is and isn’t in focus, rack focus introduces a sense of depth and visual interest to the scene.
- Conveying emotions and subtext: Changing the focus between characters’ expressions can reveal their emotions, inner thoughts and unspoken feelings, providing subtle storytelling cues to the audience.
- Foreshadowing and building suspense: Skillful use of rack focus can hint at future plot developments.
- Revealing hidden details or secrets: Rack focus can uncover previously unnoticed elements in the scene, unveiling hidden clues or exposing secrets that influence the story’s progression.
What rack focus isn’t
Rack focus revolves around the intentional shifting of focus. However, there is a related concept in film commonly known as “shallow depth of field.” This refers to shots where only a small portion of the shot is in sharp focus. Unlike rack focus, the focal point in a shallow depth of field shot doesn’t transition within the shot.
Let’s contrast the two:
- Rack focus: In a blurry field of poppies, one becomes clear in contrast to the background as the camera focuses.
- Shallow depth of field: A single poppy stands out in stark clarity against a background of blurry poppies.
Rack focus is distinguished by its intentional shift of focus and the controlled movement of the lens to achieve this effect.
How to achieve a rack focus shot
Pick the right lens
To achieve a successful rack focus shot, you first need to choose the right gear for the job and know how to use it. You can choose either a prime or zoom lens; however, if you go with a zoom lens, you might experience some focus breathing.
Additionally, you need to achieve a shallow depth of field to pull off a rack focus shot. This doesn’t mean you can’t do a rack focus shot without a shallow depth of field, but with it, your rack focus will be much more dramatic and effective in guiding the viewer’s eye. To create a shallow depth of field, use a wide aperture. An f/1.4 or f/2.8 aperture should work perfectly.
To make your life easier, consider getting a follow-focus system. If you’re working on a tight budget, you can adjust your focus ring manually. This approach works but requires some practice. With a follow focus, you can achieve a smoother and more controlled transition.
Get your shot set up
After selecting the right gear, you need to set up your shot. Position your subjects on different focal planes. For example, place one subject in the foreground and another in the background. Ensure there’s enough distance between your subjects to make the focus transition noticeable. You can also use markers or tape on the floor to ensure consistent placement if the subjects need to remain in specific positions.
Practice the shot
Before filming the actual shot, run through it several times. Start with one subject in sharp focus and the other blurred. Slowly and smoothly rotate the focus ring to shift focus to the second subject. Practice this movement to ensure a seamless transition. If you’re working with a team, communicate with your camera operator or focus puller to synchronize the movement with the scene’s action.
Once you’ve mastered the movement, record test shots to ensure the focus transition is smooth and that the desired subjects are sharp. Adjust your focus speed and depth of field as needed to match the scene’s pacing and tone.
Examples of rack focus
We’ve explored some of the storytelling uses of rack focus, but seeing the technique in action brings it to life.
In “Casino Royale” (2006), cinematographer Phil Méheux uses rack focus shots throughout the film. For instance, in one scene, the focus shifts from a card being laid on a table to a woman walking after swimming, then to James Bond. Méheux uses the effect masterfully, emphasizing broken glass, a critical detail, and then bringing attention back to Bond.
Alternatively, in “The Host” (2006), Hyung-ku Kim captures multiple characters within a single scene using rack focus. In one sequence, patients walk down a hallway in a quarantine zone while the main character and his siblings try to break out. The camera shifts between characters as they navigate the hall, moving between the foreground, middle ground and background to create visual layers and dynamic tension.
Shifting your focus on set
By shifting the viewer’s attention within a single shot, filmmakers can direct focus, emphasize emotions and weave visual interest into their scenes. With the right tools, careful planning and a little practice, rack focus can become an integral part of your visual storytelling arsenal. The next time you’re planning a shot, consider how a simple focus shift might guide your audience’s eye and deepen their connection to your story.
