{"id":1192,"date":"2026-10-05T11:31:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T09:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thatdog.fr\/index.php\/anamorphic-filmmaking-look-bokeh-flares\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T12:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:02:39","slug":"anamorphic-filmmaking-look-bokeh-flares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thatdog.fr\/index.php\/en\/anamorphic-filmmaking-look-bokeh-flares\/","title":{"rendered":"Anamorphic Filmmaking: The Art of an Inimitable Look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbsection\u00a0\u00bb]\n\t\t\t[et_pb_row admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbrow\u00a0\u00bb]\n\t\t\t\t[et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbText\u00a0\u00bb]

You can spot an anamorphic image without always knowing why: a very wide frame, bluish streaks crossing the screen, light points shaped like ovals. This article explains what an anamorphic lens does, where its look comes from and when to use it, including for a brand film.<\/p>\n

What is anamorphic?<\/h2>\n

An anamorphic lens squeezes the image horizontally: it captures a wider field than a spherical lens, then the image is \u201cdesqueezed\u201d in the edit or on the monitor to restore the right proportions. The squeeze factor tells you by how much.<\/p>\n

Squeeze, then desqueeze<\/text>Scene<\/text>On the sensor (squeezed)<\/text>After desqueeze<\/text>Squeeze factor: 2x here<\/text><\/svg>
The image is squeezed onto the sensor then desqueezed to restore its proportions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The factors: 1.3x, 1.5x, 2x and others<\/h2>\n

The chosen factor, combined with the sensor format, determines the final aspect ratio. A few examples:<\/p>\n

Sensor<\/th>Squeeze<\/th>Aspect ratio after desqueeze<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
16:9 (1.78)<\/td>1.3x<\/td>about 2.31:1<\/td><\/tr>
16:9 (1.78)<\/td>1.33x<\/td>about 2.37:1<\/td><\/tr>
16:9 (1.78)<\/td>1.5x<\/td>about 2.67:1<\/td><\/tr>
16:9 (1.78)<\/td>2x<\/td>about 3.56:1<\/td><\/tr>
4:3 (1.33)<\/td>1.8x<\/td>about 2.40:1<\/td><\/tr>
4:3 (1.33)<\/td>2x<\/td>about 2.67:1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n

Factors from 1.3x to 1.5x give a more discreet, lighter look. 2x offers the most pronounced effects. The resulting frame can then be cropped to 2.39:1.<\/p>\n

The horizontal field of a 2x lens is that of a focal length half as long: a 50 mm 2x anamorphic sees as wide as a 25 mm spherical, but keeps the vertical angle of a 50 mm.<\/p>\n

The visual signature<\/h2>\n
Bokeh: round or oval<\/text>Spherical: round points<\/text>Anamorphic: ovals and streak<\/text><\/svg>
The same blurred background: round in spherical, oval in anamorphic, with a horizontal flare.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n