Rack/Pull Focusing

Rack focus is when the camera operator 'changes the focus of the lens during a continuous shot' (Studiobinder, 2020). This is often used to direct the audiences attention to certain objects, characters or places of importance. The focus is also changed or 'pulled' to track subjects moving closer to or further away from the camera in shallow to mid depth of field shots. In large productions there may even be a dedicated person known as the focus puller, who has the job of changing the focus in accordance with the creative direction for a shot.

The following video shows a simple example of a rack focus shot between two subjects where I used objects found in my home to demonstrate the effect:

The effect is achieved by manually adjusting the lens until the new subject is displayed sharply, or so that a moving subject remains sharp.

Rack focusing can also be used to help tell a story in a scene and add meaning. The below video shows two examples of this from Casino Royale (2006). In the first clip, the focus moves from the character of James Bond (Daniel Craig) to the bathroom he is looking at, telling the audience that Bond is looking at this and so should they, which also implies significance.

 

This technique can also be used to convey more complex messages, such as in the second clip where the audience already knows Bond's drink has been poisoned. The rack focus between Bond, the drink, and back to his reaction shows shows the moment he realises this and catches up to the audience. It tells the audience unambiguously that Bond has realised without there having to be explicit dialogue to explain this, as well as helping to create the deeper meaning that Bond, while skilled, can still at times be vulnerable.

Bibliography:

• Studiobinder. 2020. The Rack Focus: Creative Examples of Camera Movements and Angles. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/rack-focus-shot-camera-movement-angles/> [Accessed 2 December 2021].
• Casino Royale. 2006. [film] Directed by M. Campbell. United States: Columbia Pictures.