Cooke Gallery - focus exhibition

In February this year, our first exhibition opened in our London gallery: ‚focus‘. This was a way to eulogise the art of focus as a tool used by a cinematographer to tell their story.

When we think about camera focus, we tend to think of how sharp a frame looks, but it’s much more than that. In visual storytelling, focus directly impacts how the audience may perceive the subject matter. Directors and cinematographers use focus to convey a message about the story whether as a literal device, emphasising a specific detail; or subliminally to evoke an emotional response to the material or scene.

The cinematographer collaborates with the director to translate the script into visual language. Art meets science in cinematography: they are visual psychiatrists who guide the audience through a film with lighting, composition and movement. Storytellers tasked with depicting the visual emotion behind the words. One of the most essential elements when making style choices about the film is how they choose to employ ‘focus’.

We have compiled a series of the ways in which a cinematographer can utilise focus. You can find the series on our Youtube channel.

Deep focus (part 1)

Deep focus provides filmmakers a way of depicting realism. It removes an element of artifice from images, presenting a consistent and cohesive view of the space characters occupy. Let’s take a look at a historical and modern day example of this.

Deep focus (part 2)

Deep focus can make cinema feel like theatre. A sharp window into an alternate world is reminiscent of the proscenium arch. Deep focus allows filmmakers to craft extended scenes, merging action with the surrounding environment.

Shallow focus

A technique well suited to characters studies instead of ensemble pieces, shallow focus can isolate the subject and can create a sense of mystery. Like shadow in lighting, shallow focus is about what you don’t show.

Racking focus

Shifting the plane of focus within a shot is known as “racking”. The shift can be quick and dramatic or slow and lingering. A focus rack shifts attention, establishing the significance of something that might have previously been indistinguishable.

Split-Field focus

What can be achieved by having multiple planes in sharp focus simultaneously?  The use of a split-field diopter makes this possible. Audience attention can be divided or planes of action can be juxtaposed against one another.

Unique focus

From filters to macro lenses, perspective control lenses and beyond. Over the years cinematographers have always been pushing the boundaries in order to utilise focus in unique and powerful ways.

Our next London Gallery exhibition will be ‚Colour‘. To book a visit or if you had any enquiries, email marketing@cookeoptics.com