What creates the strong 3D look in this 1930 portrait, and how can I recreate it?
Asked 6/7/2022
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I found a 1930 self-portrait by Will Burgdorf that has an unusually strong sense of depth compared with many modern shallow-depth-of-field portraits. What photographic factors create that effect? Is it mainly lighting, perspective, focus placement, lens choice, or camera movements? I’d also like to know practical ways to recreate a similar look in a portrait today.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
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It’s magical when a two-dimensional flat photograph exhibits the illusion of depth. This is especially true when its deliberate based on repeatable skills. Many of the old master portrait photographers had such talent. Fortunately, this talent still exists but it’s rare.
This image owes its illusion of depth to its high contrast. Portrait photographers usually light the face with a lamp positioned high to simulate afternoon sun. If lit by a single undiffused lamp, the shadows cast go dark, void of detail. This yields “hard” lighting that gives the illusion of depth. Some subjects are enhanced as this can be perceived as very masculine lighting. On the other hand, most subjects are handled better by adding a second “fill light” that illuminates the shadows, so details come through.
The bottom line, the flat two-dimensional photograph can display depth if the lighting and perspective are well controlled.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
4y ago
0
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The “3D” look is likely a combination of several things, not just shallow depth of field.
The biggest factor is probably lighting: a fairly hard key light from above and off to one side creates strong shadow modeling on the face, which makes features look more sculpted and dimensional. Minimal or softer fill keeps the shadows from going completely flat.
Perspective also matters. A relatively short camera-to-subject distance can exaggerate near-vs-far facial features, which increases the sense of depth.
Shallow depth of field adds to the effect, especially if focus is placed slightly forward (around the nose/lips area rather than the eyes), so parts of the face fall away in and out of focus.
One answer also suggests there may be slight tilt/scheimpflug-style focus involved, which would fit the era if it was made with a large-format camera.
To recreate it: use directional hard-ish light from above and to one side, keep fill subtle, shoot fairly close, use a wide aperture, and experiment with focus placement rather than always focusing strictly on the nearest eye. A camera or lens that allows tilt can enhance the effect, but lighting and perspective are doing most of the work.
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