Film Camera/Lens Emulation

Something I have learnt whilst studying and working is the importance lens and film stock choice affects the overall look and feel of your image, and I think its really important to carry this over into fully digital work, or matching it to backplates.

 A big part of my learning more about this was my LensFX gizmo. I improved it a lot during the last few months of uni to get it to a place I was really happy with. Adding features to add lens dust and focus breathing.

 Below is a test I did in Arnold, playing with some displacement, trying to emulate the features/effects of a real lens with focus breathing. I added a focus pull, lens breathing, a lens flare, lens dust, filter flares and subtle glows. To make it feel more cinematic, I worked at 1920*800 widescreen resolution and created anamorphic style bokeh.

 I think it makes the image feel a lot more dynamic that if it was a simple focus pull, with no breathing or refocusing. 

 Best to watch this video in fullscreen at 1080p or 720p

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