Focus | Focus

Masters of Light, Conversations With Contemporary Cinematographers

Here's an example with William A. Fraker, Director of Photography for titles such as Dusty and Sweets McGee, Tombstone, Street Fighter, Vegas Vacation, and The Day of the Dolphin.

Q: Do you feel that cameramen sometimes get too enamored with the mechanical aspects of the profession?

A: Well, when something comes out that's really marvelous like the Panaglide or the Steadicam, everyone goes crazy with it at first. Then everyone settles down and uses it only when they have to. We always do that. When the zoom lenses came out, the same thing happened. Now very seldom do you see a zoom lens shot. I don't use them at all. Someone recently asked me about an automatic focusing system. The creative art of selective focus is a tremendous art; to be able to move your focus where you want it. If you have an automatic focus system, it will be just like an automatic spot meter in still cameras now. It will always give you the average. You don't want the average, you want to be very selective in what you do.

pg. 137

After reading the passage I found myself focusing on goals, thinking about accomplishments.

Here's a few scenes William A. Fraker photographed with Fa and Bea the talking dolphins.