As a student who often just wants to get things done, I find myself neglecting the potential of controlling the focal length and merely using it as a zoom to frame my shots. But as well setting the frame; focal length affects the depth of the shot, the relationship between visual components of the shot and the sense of 3 dimensional space.

I know that a wide angled lens seems to exaggerate perspective. The apparent distance between objects as they extend away from the camera will seem greater than normal, and the objects in the foreground appear larger than normal in relation. Contrastingly, long lenses appear to compress perspective.

It quite easy to point out the different effects of 16mm compared to 100mm. That’s why I wish to explore more subtle variations. For instance I might shoot a close up of a subject with a 35mm and a 50mm. Afterwards I’ll write in detail on how the perspectives vary. For instance how it might affect the appearance of the subjects face.

I’d also like to explore the effects focal length can have on a film as a whole. I’ve heard that a longer lens may give a film a more observational feel, whereas a wide angled lens might give a better sense of presence. So I’d like to experiment with this.

Basically for the next 5 weeks I’ll be experimenting practically by shooting short exercises with different focal lengths. In which I’ll edit and then reflect on in my blog. By the end of the semester I hope to have a complex understanding of focal length and how it can vary perspective in film.