focalização

Focalização, or focus in English, is a fundamental concept in photography and cinematography that refers to the process of selecting which elements in the scene will be sharp and clear, and which will be out of focus. This selection is achieved by adjusting the aperture of the lens, which controls the size of the lens opening and, consequently, the depth of field.

There are three main types of focalização: shallow depth of field, deep depth of field, and selective focalização. Shallow depth of field is used to isolate the subject from the background, creating a sense of depth and emphasizing the main subject. This is commonly achieved with a large aperture (small f-number). Deep depth of field, on the other hand, renders both the foreground and background sharp, often used in landscape photography to include all elements in the scene. This is achieved with a small aperture (large f-number). Selective focalização allows for multiple planes of focus within the same frame, often used in creative photography and cinematography to direct the viewer's attention.

Focalização is also influenced by the distance between the subject and the camera (focusing distance) and the lens's focal length. A longer focal length (telephoto) will result in a shallower depth of field, while a shorter focal length (wide-angle) will result in a deeper depth of field. Additionally, the sensor size of the camera or film also affects the depth of field, with larger sensors requiring a larger aperture to achieve the same depth of field as smaller sensors.

In summary, focalização is a crucial aspect of visual storytelling, allowing artists to control the viewer's attention and create a desired aesthetic. It is a complex concept that involves understanding the interplay between aperture, focusing distance, focal length, and sensor size.