The 3D effect ... ?

Focus Is Only One Aspect

Focus Is Only One Aspect

Scale is probably the most important.
Leica M6, Zeiss 35mm 2.8 Biogon, Ektar:

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I appreciate the butterfly compliments.
Obviously this is a more complex subject than you would first think.
The term "3D effect" triggers people to think of the 2-plane image (one in focus and one OOF),
but a viewers perception and enjoyment are usually much more complicated than that simple effect (affect?).
.....

Roland, thank you enormously for that 2nd picture 😉
 
I've often heard this effect discussed and even seen it in some of my on pictures but this thread has really forced me to think about what causes it. Looking back at some of my photos I can't help but agree with the general consesus here regarding slight defocus of background and implications of depth. Thank you all for a stimulating read.

Lighting and composition can certainly imply depth. FWIW, a series (I've written) on depth in 2D images:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Rooted in cinematography, but most of it understandably applies to stills.

Fantastic writings, I'm leaning more and more to cinematography and these are wonderful articles!

My best lens for the '3D' effect is the 6x7 105mm f2.8 Pentax, when close to wide open. But I also find that wide open lenses that have a slight vignette also produce this effect.

6x7 f2.8 105mm Pentax:

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I have also noticed more on my 67 105 than pretty much any other lens I've owned. In fact, this sample shot was taken with the 105 wide open. This is the only pic I have handy at the moment and the background is getting close to(may even be there) nauseatingly out of focus. Sorry, Roger, I was young and didn't know any better!


Drummer Needed by RangerFinder, on Flickr
 
Well whatever the reasons are there's some great pics being posted in this thread. 🙂

Roland (ferider) in particular brought up a couple of good points IMO. :angel:
 
Sometimes its there and sometimes its not, but mostly not (for me). We all have different brains and this is surely having an impact on different inputs and perceptions here. I see it 'more' with shots that utilise a combination of perspective lines, modest OOF backgrounds that reflect the dynamics of human vision and certain colour and contrast characteristics can help. I'll not disagree that modern Zeiss lenses can be quite good at the colour and contrast part!

Just like 'Leica glow', which some lunatics still ascribe to modern Leica asph optics, '3D effect' is often used to justify buying new (often Zeiss) lenses. I tell myself all sorts of things when I want new gear, but of late the inner dialogue is shortened to "I want that lens" "can you afford it" "then buy it".
 
Lynn Burdekin suggested I look at this thread in a comment on this picture in the gallery taken with a 40mm Summicron

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I've often thought that a 40mm lens gives people a particular 3-D look.
 
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