ABSTRACT
In a zoom shot, a zoom lens switches from a wide-angle to a normal or a telephoto setting or from a telephoto to a normal or a wide-angle setting. When a zoom shot’s composition changes suddenly, it can communicate a sense of urgency, tension, and danger. Quick framing adjustments, hesitant camerawork, and indecisive focusing are normal and expected with this style of shooting. The overall effect makes the audience feel they are witnessing spontaneous action as it happens, in real time. Zoom lenses are available in a wide variety of zoom ratios that offer many options to change a zoom shot’s framing. Keeping subjects sharp throughout the duration of a zoom shot is easy to do with what is called a “parfocal” zoom lens; this feature allows a zoom to remain in focus once it is set regardless of changes in focal length. The narrative purpose of the zooming action can determine the gear needed to accomplish it.
