-
Depth of Field
Hello Community,
I am new to AE (typical disclaimer). The footage I have is near HD in clarity. Two people are discussing something and are at a distance from each other. I want to achieve a depth of field effect (I think this is the appropriate term) where it appears that the camera focus is on the person talking while the other is out of focus. Obviously who is in focus changes as the dialogue changes. What I don’t want to occur is for the actor and props (i.e. part of a bookshelf, a grassy knoll, etc.) around him/her to be in focus. I just want the actor in focus. OTHER THAN Andrew Kramer’s tutorial is there a way to achieve this? I thought I saw a plug-in that does this while surfing the net late one evening but unfortunately did not bookmark it.
-
5 Replies
-
When you say Andrew Kramer’s tut do you mean this one, using Lens Blur referencing a Depth Matte (solid with Ramp)?
https://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial/2d_depth_of_field/
If you have AE 7 or above that should do nicely, or if older you could use masks on duplicate layers and blur the lower layer, but seems that would be more tedious, no?
-
Hi Mike,
Yes, I was referring to that tutorial. I’m trying to achieve a look often seen in TV (i.e. Law and Order. Presuming you’ve seen the show imagine the ADA and the assistant ADA speaking to the DA (who is never in the camera’s view). As the ADA and assistant ADA take turns speaking to the AD the camera focus changes depending on who is talking. The person not speaking (and the background) remains out of focus.
I think I can achieve the look via what Andrew taught plus rotoscoping but I was hoping there was a faster way. Any thoughts?
-
I think I had just recieved an email from Boris FX this week that was for their depth of field blur plugin. I don’t have that email anymore, but you could check their web site: https://www.borisfx.com
TC -
I just found what I had read, it was a GenArts Sapphire plugin that simulated a camera defocus. But a depth of field camera defocus can be achieved. http://www.genarts.com. There is a 3-week trial for the plugin package, so you can try it before you buy it.
TC -
Thanx for info. I read an article in Studio Monthly regarding the defocus and reviewed the examples. They all appear as some form of lens blur. I could not find an example of contrast whereby the plug-in manipulates what is and isn’t in focus. Sapphire states that the iris of the defocus can be adjusted so maybe I can achieve the result I’m wanting. I’m going to take advantage of the trial period.
Thanx again and if any other ideas come to you please let me know.
.ek
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up