Newbie Question at DVinfo.net

Danny Santos · August 19th, 2005, 07:21 AM

Saw a movie "Father of the Bride" and wondering how they shoot the bride and groom with the background images all blurred out. Can this be done with GL2?

Chris Hurd · August 19th, 2005, 07:58 AM

Hi Danny, I haven't seen that movie, but I'm wondering if you mean the background is completely blurred out, or just in soft focus? If you mean soft focus, the term for that is "shallow depth of field," and it's one of the most heavily discussed topics here at DV Info Net. A search will turn up a wide variety of threads about this. See also our page located at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/optics/dofskinny.php

Justin Morgan · August 19th, 2005, 08:04 AM

You're talking about achieving a shallow depth of field. It is more difficult with dv than with film but it can be done in certain situations. To achieve it open the iris as wide as you can (ie use a small number - you may need to use the ND filter - depending on lighting conditions) and use the camera on maximum zoom. It will also help to have as much physical distance between what you want in focus and what you want out of focus.

Do a search for 'depth of field' and you'll find loads of stuff.

EDIT - doh! Chris got in there before me. A rare occassion when it was a question I actually knew the answer too... boo hoo :(

Danny Santos · August 19th, 2005, 08:20 AM

I guess. I meant the background not totally blurred out. They were soft "out of focus" background while the B&G in the foreground looks sharp.

Thanks guys!

August 19th, 2005, 07:21 AM	#1
Danny Santos Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Antioch, CA USA Posts: 49	Newbie Question Saw a movie "Father of the Bride" and wondering how they shoot the bride and groom with the background images all blurred out. Can this be done with GL2?

August 19th, 2005, 07:58 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Hi Danny, I haven't seen that movie, but I'm wondering if you mean the background is completely blurred out, or just in soft focus? If you mean soft focus, the term for that is "shallow depth of field," and it's one of the most heavily discussed topics here at DV Info Net. A search will turn up a wide variety of threads about this. See also our page located at: http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/optics/dofskinny.php __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 19th, 2005, 08:04 AM	#3
Justin Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 189	You're talking about achieving a shallow depth of field. It is more difficult with dv than with film but it can be done in certain situations. To achieve it open the iris as wide as you can (ie use a small number - you may need to use the ND filter - depending on lighting conditions) and use the camera on maximum zoom. It will also help to have as much physical distance between what you want in focus and what you want out of focus. Do a search for 'depth of field' and you'll find loads of stuff. EDIT - doh! Chris got in there before me. A rare occassion when it was a question I actually knew the answer too... boo hoo :(

August 19th, 2005, 08:20 AM	#4
Danny Santos Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Antioch, CA USA Posts: 49	I guess. I meant the background not totally blurred out. They were soft "out of focus" background while the B&G in the foreground looks sharp. Thanks guys!