Overview
The goal of this project is to duplicate the famous in-camera effect: the dolly zoom. The dolly zoom in an
in-camera effect that appears to undermine normal visual perception. The camera movement is also known as
the “Vertigo shot”, referencing a famous scene in Hichcok’s Vertigo. To achieve this effect, we need to
zooming a zoom lens to adjust the field of view while the camera dollies(movies) toward or away from the
subject in such a way as to keep the subject the same size in the fame throughout.
Implementation
Method
I used the camera Canon EOS Rebel T3i with a 18-75mm lens. The location of the scenes at at home, East Asian
Library and Memorial Glade. To achieve the dolly zoom effect, I first stand from the maximum distance from the
object with maximum focal length. Then, while decreasing the focal length, I move towards the object to reduce
the distance so that the object remains the same size in all images. The field of view of the camera increases
during the process.
Difficulties
The difficulties I faced is to keep the target object at the same center of the image with the same size.
To resolve the difficult, I tried put my camera on a table or use a reference point. I also used the small
grid in the camera to ensure that the object is the same size from the same angle.
Results
1. Water Bottle (Moving the camera)
Focal length: 55mm
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Focal length: 45mm
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Focal length: 35mm
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Focal length: 24mm
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Focal length: 18mm
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2. No Food/Drink Sign (Moving the camera)
Focal length: 55mm
|
Focal length: 45mm
|
Focal length: 35mm
|
Focal length: 24mm
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Focal length: 18mm
|
3. Toy (Moving the object)
Focal length: 70mm
|
Focal length: 55mm
|
Focal length: 45mm
|
Focal length: 35mm
|
Focal length: 24mm
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Focal length: 18mm
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Bells & Whistles
1. Animated GIFs
Water Bottle (Moving the camera)
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Sign ((Moving the camera))
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Toy (Moving the object)
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2. Moving the Camera vs. Object
To compare moving the object and moving the camera, I did the same process but instead to reduce the distance between
the camera and the object, my friend is walking towards the camera instead of moving the camera.
Moving the Camera
Focal length: 70mm
|
Focal length: 55mm
|
Focal length: 45mm
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Focal length: 35mm
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Focal length: 24mm
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Moving the Object
Focal length: 70mm
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Focal length: 55mm
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Focal length: 45mm
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Focal length: 35mm
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Compare the results
We can see from the floor for the difference between moving the camera and moving the object.
Water Bottle (Moving the camera)
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Sign (Moving the camera)
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What I Learned
The most important part I’ve learned in the project is the how the field of view of the camera will change
with respect to focal length. Though I was struggled a lot when tried to keep the object for the same size,
I’m also impressed by how the dolly zoom effect can be achieved by just putting pictures in sequence together.