The point in frame that establishes visual hierarchy and directs viewer attention, independent of the camera's focal plane.
Technical Details
Professional targets are made of aluminum or fire-resistant plastic with a reflection tolerance of ±2% between segments. The white surface reflects 90% of incident light, the black absorbs 95%. Common variants include the Siemens star target with 36 radial segments for sharpness testing, gray wedge targets with 10 brightness levels (0.3 f-stop gradation), and color temperature targets with defined color fields for white balance at 3200K and 5600K.
History & Development
Eastman Kodak developed the first standardized film targets for Technicolor production in 1952. The breakthrough came in 1967 with Osram's heat-resistant ceramic targets for 10kW spotlights. Arri introduced the modular target system in 1981, allowing various test patterns to be combined. Since 2010, digital LED targets with programmable patterns and brightness levels up to 50,000 lux have dominated.
Practical Use in Film
Camera crews use targets for precise focusing of Fresnel spotlights: The target is positioned at the desired distance, and the spotlight is adjusted until the circular lines are rendered razor-sharp. In "Blade Runner 2049," Roger Deakins calibrated all 18K ARRI spotlights daily with targets for the precise light shaping in the interior scenes. Gaffers systematically use targets in multi-camera setups to ensure identical light distribution across all camera positions.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike gray cards, which only measure exposure, targets check sharpness and light distribution simultaneously. Modern alternatives include digital light meters with target projection or laser alignment systems that do not require physical objects. However, targets remain standard for daylight shoots, as electronic devices fail under direct sunlight (up to 100,000 lux).