How is this done?

N

naavt

Well-known member
Seems that every Portuguese Production house who directs major corporate ads learned the same technique and I a bit curious about it.

In most shots only some areas of the image are a bit fuzzy. Some friend who participated as a Extra in another commercial had a peek and did say that they are using some sort of wrapped acrylic plastic in front of the lens for some of the shots.

Can that be the trick?

Full movie here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHofRQsGbAQ
 

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Yeah many of those shots look like they have a filter on the lens. I'm not nearly experienced to tell you what kind... acrylic plastic? Sure, why not. But you can certainly play around with making some home made filters yourself (pantyhose... etc.)
 
Strange how people find that look pleasing to the eye, To me it's ungodly taky, and a major distraction. But then again some people like those "star filters" which I also find cheesy. But to each is their own, this is the one art form where there's something for everyone. Which is what makes such a joy to dabble in.
 
maranfilms said:
Strange how people find that look pleasing to the eye, To me it's ungodly taky, and a major distraction. But then again some people like those "star filters" which I also find cheesy. But to each is their own, this is the one art form where there's something for everyone. Which is what makes such a joy to dabble in.
Click to expand...

I don't mind the first shot because I'm not distracted - I'm looking at whatever the finger is pointing at.

The other ones give me nausea.
 
Matters of taste. Nonetheless those are samples from an ad produced by 2 major companies (one of them you should know - EURO RSCG), for a major cellphone company here, something like T-Mobile in US.

I am not saying that everything is possible once you are a big producer or have big clients (well... in a matter of fact, everything is possible!), but taste apart I was only asking for an insight about a technique which is being used over an over here on big budget ads.

You can watch another one made to our public transportation service "CARRIS" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13EUx_LA37s

And here are some grabs:

CARRIS - Andamos a pensar em si 1.jpgCARRIS - Andamos a pensar em si 2.jpgCARRIS - Andamos a pensar em si 3.jpgCARRIS - Andamos a pensar em si 4.jpgCARRIS - Andamos a pensar em si 5.jpg
 
I could see how this could be used to effect, but I'm getting a sense of voyeurism and mystery from these screengrabs, in complete contrast to the corporate subject matter.
 
Please don't take offense, not my intent to offend in any way, it's just not for me. But if you like it or feel it could add to a shot, then give it a try, you might find a better use for the effect than just for the heck of it.:)

But i'm thinking about it, and you could try a uv filter with some vaseline or petroleum jelly. I know many have other uses for these products:), but it might just work for this effect. maybe tape off where you want it clean, then add a gob of vaseline around the edges, you could even thicken it up and stick some little things in it like glitter lol. hmmm, wonder what that would look like.
 
maranfilms said:
Please don't take offense, not my intent to offend in any way, it's just not for me. But if you like it or feel it could add to a shot, then give it a try, you might find a better use for the effect than just for the heck of it.:)

But i'm thinking about it, and you could try a uv filter with some vaseline or petroleum jelly. I know many have other uses for these products:), but it might just work for this effect. maybe tape off where you want it clean, then add a gob of vaseline around the edges, you could even thicken it up and stick some little things in it like glitter lol. hmmm, wonder what that would look like.
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I didn't saw any slight of offense in your comment and I really appreciated. Thanks. I will try that.
 
I assume you mean the light flares? Could be a number of things, I'd lean towards possibly a Classic Soft filter, though that would probably be less obvious. Wrapping plastic over the lens is possibly a more extreme way to do it, but traditionally nets and pantyhose have been wrapped over lenses to create a softening effect, so I don't see why it wouldn't work. I can see how the effect is popular, it's all a personal taste.
 
So was that clear plastic covering the whole image, with little crinkles or whatever causing the artifacts/distortion/whatever you want to call it? I'm surprised plastic would still give you that clean of an image.
 
@jax_rox Thanks for your tips

@Patryk_Rebisz That seems exactly the same effect! Can you elaborate a little more? Namely the "various shapes and sizes"? Do you simply "pass" them in front of the lens? Do the occasional small flares result from backlight reflections on the plastic surfaces?

Thanks
 
Well you can do one of two things. As Patryk point out pieces of glass or plastic in front of the lens.

Or you can try the much more difficult task of lens wacking. James Miller is an expert at that. Most of his vids use that technique.

https://vimeo.com/23423903

my Version of lens wacking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qplqokwmtmU

However its much more difficult and risky a technique. Here's an explanation of how its done http://philipbloom.net/2012/02/01/the-art-of-lens-whacking-real-lights-leaks-and-ones-done-in-post/
 
jambredz said:
Well you can do one of two things. As Patryk point out pieces of glass or plastic in front of the lens.

Or you can try the much more difficult task of lens wacking. James Miller is an expert at that. Most of his vids use that technique.

https://vimeo.com/23423903

my Version of lens wacking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qplqokwmtmU

However its much more difficult and risky a technique. Here's an explanation of how its done http://philipbloom.net/2012/02/01/the-art-of-lens-whacking-real-lights-leaks-and-ones-done-in-post/
Click to expand...
THIS!
or just play around with Light leaks.... check out 5dleaks.com as well.
 
Once again, thanks for all your tips.

Lens whacking seems a daunting challenge. One to try out for sure. I've been reading since I've read jambredz's post and my big doubt relates to what lens to use on GH2 for that. I'm looking to some CCTV lens right now.

I'll be digging Light leaks tomorrow :)
 
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