Definition
What is a rack focus in video?
A rack focus changes the lens focus during a take so one element becomes soft as another becomes sharp. The shift can reveal a new subject, redirect attention, or show a relationship without cutting.
The camera and subjects may remain still while the focus tells the viewer where to look. A rack focus works best when both points are planned, the visual handoff is motivated, and the focus pull is timed to action or dialogue.
Because focus depth can be very thin, crews mark distances and rehearse. Editing can shorten or reshape the moment, but the decisive focus transition is normally captured in camera.
Example in the edit
Focus moves from a letter in the foreground to the person quietly reading it across the room.
Why editors use it
It changes attention inside a single shot and can reveal story information without interrupting the scene with a cut.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Rack focus
Is rack focus the same as a focus pull?
They are often used interchangeably. Rack focus emphasizes the visible transfer between subjects; focus pull also describes the operator’s action.
Can autofocus create a rack focus?
It can, but manual focus or a controlled focus system is usually preferred because it gives predictable timing and avoids hunting.
Does the camera move during a rack focus?
It may, but it does not need to. The defining change is focus, not camera position.