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Rack focus shot definition
What is a rack focus shot?
A rack focus shot is an extremely common shot in film, but what is racking focus? This type of shot involves the camera changing or “racking” focus from one subject to another within the same scene, which guides the audience to focus on a character or object in the shot without having to change camera angles or start a new shot.
For an in-depth exploration of this technique, check out our full guide to racking focus, complete with examples and breakdowns.
Rack focus in movies
Rack focus shot examples
It’s helpful to see rack focus shots in action before exploring how they operate within visual storytelling. Browse this curated selection of rack focus shots in film to get a sense of their uses across films.
Shift the viewer’s attention
Reveal information
Show emotion between two characters
Add suspense
Uses
What does a rack focus shot do?
A rack focus shot shifts the viewer’s attention from one subject or object to another by changing what’s in focus. This shot is used for a variety of reasons.
Expose new information
By racking focus on an object or character, new information can be revealed in the scene more effectively than a straight cut.
Show emotion
Racking focus can direct the viewer to a specific character in the scene, emphasizing what they are feeling during the moment.
Highlight relationship dynamics
Shifting the audience's focus between subjects can reveal and connect contrasting or parallel emotions to each other in the moment.
Build suspense
Using rack focus can reveal unexpected elements of the frame that were overlooked before, keeping the visuals dynamic and surprising.
Rack focusing
Pull focus vs rack focus
While a rack focus is a deliberate shift of focus between two subjects or objects, pull focus is when the camera’s focus shifts away from the main subject to another part of the frame, often blurring the original subject.
Case Study
Shot listing a rack focus shot
In Mike Nichols’ The Graduate, an iconic shot racks focus from Benjamin, played by Dustin Hoffman, to Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. The moment highlights the tension between the two characters, and their differing emotions during the scene. Specifically, a "moment of clarity" becomes quite literal as Elaine's realization comes into focus.
Click the shot list below to take a closer look at the entire scene.
Rack focus shots allow a filmmaker to highlight the importance of a specific detail, such as an object or character, but combining this shot with other techniques can enhance the visual language of the story.
Unexpected combos
How can you use a rack focus shot with other camera techniques?
How to combine a rack focus shot
Rack focus shots are a versatile addition to any filmmaker’s visual language. While impactful on their own, they gain even more power when paired with other techniques. Here are some creative ways rack focus shots can be combined with different cinematic approaches:
- Close-Up: Combining a rack focus shot and a close-up shifts focus between facial expressions or details, which is helpful for highly emotional scenes.
- Over-the-Shoulder: A rack focus shot over-the-shoulder moves attention between a character and what they’re looking at.
- Tracking Shot: Using a rack focus shot during a tracking shot combines changing focus with camera movement to follow action while changing the focus between subjects within the action. For example, in a sports scene, the camera may track the action while the camera racks focus from the ball to the player, etc.
- Insert Shot: Rack focus during an insert shot can help highlight small details in intense focus.
- Wide shot: A rack focus shot with a wide can show contrast between the foreground and background in a scene.
Frequently asked questions about the rack focus shot
A rack focus is a technique where the camera’s focus shifts smoothly from one subject or object to another within the same shot.
A rack focus shot involves adjusting the camera lens’s focus ring during a continuous take, which shifts the sharpness from one subject or object to another.
That depends on the skill level of the cinematographer, as the shot requires precise control over the camera’s focus ring.
That depends! Some may say rack focus is used too frequently or predictably, but others might say that when used well, it remains a powerful and popular shot for quality filmmakers.
A rack focus effect is when the camera shifts focus from one subject to another within the same shot.
