One of the most underrated storytelling tools in cinematography is lens choice. Focal length, distortion, depth of field, all of it plays a huge role in shaping how we experience a character or world.
Think about how Army of the Dead used ultra-shallow depth of field and vintage lenses to create a dreamlike, almost surreal quality in the middle of a high-intensity action story. Or how Dune used long lenses and massive landscapes to capture the scale of its world while still feeling intimate and grounded with its characters. Lens choice can shift the emotional tone of a scene without changing a single line of dialogue.
So I’m curious, how intentional are you with lens selection in your own projects?
Do you have go-to focal lengths that help establish tone?
Do you plan lenses in pre-pro based on character psychology or let the moment guide you on set?
Let’s swap stories, favorite lenses, and maybe a few happy accidents. What’s your personal lens philosophy?
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Thanks Ashley… look what I just posted above of that Director Tom Verica and how camera guy!! They seem pretty in-sync -
That Director … hmm.. so cute. Wondering if he’s married… lol. ♥️
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Don’t give it away Maurice!! Though Ash already knows!!
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Lenses are one of the most important tools in crafting the look. It's usually not in your face like lighting or production design, thus has more of a back of the brain psychological effect. Some lenses call attention to themselves more than others but from an audience standpoint it yields a feeling more than anything else. That's where the power lies.
I pick lenses based on many factors and it's different for every types of project. Films and commercials often have different goals. The decision making involves many factors such as creative, practical, speed, cost, etc.
I don't have go-to lenses except for doc work where I like to use zooms to be quicker on my feet. For everything else I will tailor my decision based on the story or product. I like to try different lenses so I often shoot with ones I haven't worked with before. It's one way of learning and discovering while giving each project its own identity.
We could fill a whole book with this topic.
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Gareth Taylor I love how you described the lens choice as something that affects the audience on a subconscious level. It’s such a powerful tool for tone and emotion, and it’s true: when used with intention, it shapes the feeling of a project in ways viewers might not even be able to articulate.
I also really admire your approach to trying out different lenses on narrative or commercial projects. That kind of curiosity and willingness to discover keeps the craft evolving, and you’re so right; each project deserves its own visual identity. Zooms for doc work make total sense, too, especially when speed and flexibility are key.
And yes, we could definitely fill an entire book with this topic! Thanks for sharing your perspective, there’s so much value in how you break down both the creative and practical layers of the decision-making process.