Dan Kanes, CEO and co-founder of Atlas Lens Co., shares his journey from lighting technician to entrepreneur, emphasizing the influence of his skateboarding and punk rock background. He discusses the significance of anamorphic lenses in film history and their emotional impact on storytelling. The podcast also explores the intersection of cinematography and entrepreneurship, the fascination with optics, and the evolution of lens design and filmmaking.
Anamorphic lenses offer a unique and artistic perspective in filmmaking, allowing for creative expression beyond photorealism.
The philosophy of Atlas Lens Company is to empower cinematographers and provide them with accessible, high-performing anamorphic lenses.
The field of optics and lens making is constantly evolving, offering endless opportunities for learning and surprises.
Deep dives
The Birth and Philosophy of Atlas Lens Company
The podcast episode features an interview with Dan Keynes, the co-founder and CEO of Atlas Lens Company, a disruptive force in the cinema lens market. Dan shares his journey from being a lighting technician to a cinematographer and eventually starting Atlas. The company aims to create anamorphic lenses that provide the vintage aesthetics of old cinema lenses with modern design conveniences. The philosophy behind Atlas is to empower cinematographers and provide them with accessible, high-performing anamorphic lenses. The discussion highlights the intersection of cinematography and entrepreneurship and the importance of not waiting for opportunities but creating them.
The Fascination with Anamorphic Lenses
Dan talks about his early fascination with anamorphic lenses, which started with the film 'Punch Drunk Love.' He explains how these lenses are the focal point through which all the hard work in cinematography is captured and converted into what the audience sees. Dan shares his journey of DIY anamorphic lens building, starting with projector lenses and evolving into prototypes for the Atlas Orion series lenses. The podcast delves into the technical aspects of anamorphic lenses, including their characteristic flares, oval-shaped bokeh, and depth of field manipulation. Dan and the hosts explore how anamorphic lenses offer a unique and artistic perspective in filmmaking, allowing for creative expression beyond photorealism.
The Blue Ocean Philosophy and Beyond
Dan discusses the concept of the 'blue ocean' strategy, which guides the philosophy of Atlas Lens Company. The blue ocean strategy involves exploring untapped markets or creating new market spaces, rather than competing in existing crowded markets. Dan emphasizes the importance of being curious, patient, and kind in both business and personal interactions. He encourages individuals to believe in themselves and find their own unique path, inspiring others along the way. The podcast episode concludes by highlighting the broader impact of anamorphic cinematography, art history, and storytelling, stressing the importance of lifting others up and making a positive difference in the world.
The Intersection of the Tangible and Intangible in Optics
Glass as a material has a complex structure that influences our perception in ways we may not realize. While we may see glass as flat and smooth, its nanospace is filled with peaks and valleys that affect our daily experiences. Optics, specifically lenses, serve as the meeting point between the tangible and intangible world. Discoveries in material science have led to innovations in lenses, allowing for the manipulation of characteristics like chromatic aberration and distortion. This constantly evolving field offers endless opportunities for learning and surprises, making it a captivating area to explore.
Embracing the Tool Marks of Filmmaking and Demystifying Anamorphic Lenses
Anamorphic lenses, with their unique design and optical characteristics, create tool marks on the image, adding a distinct aesthetic to the visuals. These tool marks include distortions like stigmatism, mumps, geometric distortions, and even coma. While some may find these imperfections less pleasant, they contribute to the charm and individuality of anamorphic filmmaking. The combination of memory, imagination, and technical knowledge allows cinematographers to embrace or reject these tool marks to enhance their storytelling. The Atlas lens company strives to provide accessible lens options and democratize the world of anamorphic lenses, encouraging collaboration, experimentation, and community engagement through events like Wednesday Lens Day and their demo program.
In this episode of the Cinematography Salon podcast, we’re joined by Dan Kanes, CEO and co-founder of Atlas Lens Co. Kanes shares his journey from lighting technician to entrepreneur, emphasizing the influence of his skateboarding and punk rock background on his creative and pragmatic approach to forging one’s own path and simultaneously uplifting those around you. Highlighting the significance of anamorphic lenses in film history and their emotional impact on storytelling, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the art and science of lens making.
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