Shallow DOF on closeups of people playing guitar is dumb

[Brad]

I don't understand the appeal to this look for "guitar playthrough" music videos. It's everywhere on YouTube.



In this particular video, the person pulling focus isn't able to keep up with the guy's fretboard position. They have to keep playing catchup as his hand exits the small point that is in focus. Even at 4:32 when he pauses to do a big bend around the 16th fret, the focus shifts to the 12th fret -- 90% of the frame area including his hand is just blur. I wonder how many takes they did before they settled on this one.

[_Al_]

Yeah, it is one of those things screaming at you, hey there is a camera filming this! Perhaps not realizing that it is about that guy playing a song not about them filming it.

[JVRaines]

This technique mimics the optics of the eye focusing on a very close subject and creates a sense of intimacy. Like any trick, it can be overused and calls attention to itself when poorly executed. I suppose it's in vogue now because people are tired of the flat field of mobile phone cameras.