A lot of work is done in compositing to do the opposite of the sticker effect look to have the subject sit in with the background and effects as lifelike as possible.
For the window analogy, the quality and design of the lens dictates if that window is open or closed or something in between (with a sense that you are looking through some kind of veil).
Attached is a goose with the CV 35 APO at f/4 or f/5.6.
1. Max color contrast
2. Max BW luminance contrast
3. Flattened color
4. Flattened BW
There still some dimensionality present in the flattened version so pretty sure it's an emergent effect that has to with edge frequency and gradient ratios in relation to the surrounding area. Color is definitely a perception multiplier but not the primary cause.
The sticker pop effect seems to be magnified by more shallow depth of field but actually starts to diminish when the subject isn't adequately enveloped in focus.
Dec 12, 2025 at 06:27 PM
Previous versions of ftllens's message #16947324 « which lens has the most 3D POP? »
