Zoom

Definition

In filmmaking and television production zooming is the technique of changing the focal length of a zoom lens (and hence the angle of view) during a shot – this technique is also called a zoom. The technique allows a change from close-up to wide shot (or vice versa) during a shot giving a cinematographic degree of freedom. But unlike changes in camera position, zooming does not change the perspective (the relative sizes of near and far objects); it only magnifies or reduces the size of the entire image as a whole.

The history of the zoom lens

the origins of the optical zoom can actually be traced back to the 1800s. Back then, mechanisms could be found in telescopes that are similar to how zoom lenses work. It was not until 1902 that Clile c. Allen invented and patented the first zoom. However, it took another twenty years for optical zoom lenses to start being used more widely in cinema. Most notable is the use of the lens in the 1927 film It starring Clara Bow.

Zooming can either be performed towards longer focal lengths, giving a "zoom in" effect: The filmed object will then increase in apparent size and fewer objects become visible on film. Or it is performed towards shorter focal lengths, giving a "zoom out" effect: The filmed object will shrink in apparent size and more objects come into view. The speed of the zoom allows for a further degree of cinematographic freedom. Combined with a dolly camera move it is possible to create the dolly zoom effect.

Noticeable cinematographic examples for the use of slow zooms include the 1975 film Barry Lyndon by Stanley Kubrick the 1979 film stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky, and the 1994 film Satantango by Béla Tarr. A zoom lens is a type of lens that can vary its focal length by physically moving various optical mechanisms in the lens. Zoom lenses differ from prime lenses which have a fixed focal length. Photographers and cinematographers use a zoom lens to zoom in or out from a subject giving the appearance of moving closer or further from the subject without physically moving the camera. These lenses are also used to achieve a dolly zoom shot.

Conclusion

In filmmaking and television production, zooming is the technique of changing the focal length of a zoom lens (and hence the angle of view) during a shot – this technique is also called a zoom. The technique allows a change from close-up to wide shot (or vice versa) during a shot, giving a cinematographic degree of freedom. But unlike changes in camera position, zooming does not change the perspective (the relative sizes of near and far objects); it only magnifies or reduces the size of the entire image as a whole. Zooming can either be performed towards longer focal lengths, giving a "zoom in" effect. The filmed object will then increase in apparent size and fewer objects become visible on film, or it is performed towards shorter focal lengths giving a "zoom out" effect: The filmed object will shrink in apparent size, and more objects come into view. The speed of the zoom allows for a further degree of cinematographic freedom. Combined with a dolly camera move it is possible to create the dolly zoom effect.

Zoom shots are a technique in which the camera zooms in on a specific subject, usually an actor’s face. They can be used to show the emotion of the character or add suspenseful moments. Zoom shots are also often employed during romantic scenes as it adds intimacy and sensuality. Is there anything more versatile than a camera lens? It can be adjusted from ultra wide-angle shots perfect for architecture and landscapes all the way up. Zooming is a verb meaning to magnify or enlarge an image on a screen, typically with the use of a computer mouse.