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Anamorphic Photography

  • Writer: The Magazine For Photographers
    The Magazine For Photographers
  • Mar 25
  • 2 min read

Anamorphic Photograph

What Is Anamorphic Photography?


Anamorphic photography comes from the world of filmmaking. Anamorphic lenses squeeze a wider field of view onto a sensor, which is later "unsqueezed" to give that stretched, cinematic look.

Instead of a standard widescreen crop, anamorphic lenses actually capture more in the frame without distortion. This means you get:

  • Wider aspect ratios (like 2.35:1 or 2.39:1)

  • Horizontal lens flares that look straight out of a sci-fi movie

  • Oval-shaped bokeh instead of regular circular blur

  • A more immersive, storytelling feel




How to Shoot Anamorphic Photos


1. Use an Anamorphic Lens (or Fake It in Post)


If you want true anamorphic photography, you’ll need an anamorphic lens (brands like Sirui, Moment, and Vazen make options for mirrorless cameras and smartphones). These lenses optically compress the image, and you later "de-squeeze" it in editing to restore the wide look.

But if you don’t have an anamorphic lens, you can fake the effect by:

  • Cropping your image to a 2.39:1 aspect ratio in editing

  • Adding horizontal lens flares in Photoshop or Lightroom

  • Using an oval bokeh filter in post


2. Shoot Wide & Frame for the Cinematic Look


Anamorphic lenses capture wider compositions than regular lenses. When shooting anamorphic-style photos, think about cinematic storytelling:

  • Use the extra width to include more context and depth in your scene.

  • Place subjects off-center for that widescreen movie feel.

  • Look for leading lines and natural framing to guide the eye.


3. Play with Light to Get Those Sci-Fi Lens Flares


One of the signature anamorphic effects is the horizontal blue or golden light streaks that cut across the image. You get these when bright lights (streetlights, the sun, headlights) hit the lens.

If you're faking it, you can add streaks in post with simple overlays or Photoshop tools.


4. Use Shallow Depth of Field for Oval Bokeh


Anamorphic lenses naturally create oval-shaped bokeh instead of the usual circular blur. This happens because of the way the lens squeezes the image. If you're shooting with a regular lens, you can simulate oval bokeh by:

  • Using a lens adapter with an oval aperture

  • Adding the effect in post-processing in Photoshop




Best Subjects for Anamorphic Photography


  • Cinematic Portraits → Wide compositions with shallow depth of field look straight out of a film.

  • Street Photography → The extra width lets you include more storytelling elements.

  • Night Photography → Neon signs and streetlights make for killer lens flares.

  • Landscapes & Urban Shots → The widescreen feel adds drama and scale.

  • Car Photography → Classic Hollywood car chases use anamorphic lenses for a reason—it just looks cooler.




Why Try Anamorphic Photography?


  • It instantly makes photos feel like movie stills.

  • You get a unique look that regular lenses don’t offer.

  • It adds depth, drama, and a storytelling element to your shots.

  • You can experiment with real anamorphic lenses or create the look in post.


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