anamorfní

Anamorfní is a Czech adjective meaning "anamorphic." It is most commonly used in the context of visual media, particularly film and photography, to describe a type of lens or projection. Anamorphic lenses work by compressing the image horizontally onto a standard frame, which is then expanded back to its original aspect ratio during projection. This technique allows for a wider field of view to be captured on a narrower film format, traditionally 35mm, resulting in a widescreen aspect ratio without significant loss of resolution.

The anamorphic process was first introduced in the early 20th century but gained significant popularity with the advent of CinemaScope in the 1950s. This format became a major competitor to the emerging television medium by offering a more immersive and visually grander cinematic experience. Films shot with anamorphic lenses often exhibit characteristic visual artifacts, such as oval bokeh (the aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas) and horizontal lens flares, which have become iconic to the look of many classic and modern films.

Beyond film, the term "anamorfní" can also refer to art or imagery that appears distorted when viewed directly but resolves into a recognizable image when viewed from a specific angle or with a special device. This type of optical illusion, known as an anamorphosis, predates modern cinematic techniques and has been used for centuries in various forms of art and design. The underlying principle, however, is similar: a deliberate distortion of perspective to create a specific visual effect.