A photo gallery you look at through the finder of a manual-focus film camera. Every picture starts soft. In the middle of the ground glass sits a split-image circle whose top and bottom halves are pushed apart sideways, inside a microprism collar that breaks the picture into a fine check. Drag the ribbed lens ring under the finder and the halves slide towards each other, the collar clears and the whole frame sharpens. Let go close to the mark and the ring drops into place, a green dot lights between two red arrows in the readout, and the chrome release fires: the mirror slaps the view black for a moment and the next frame is waiting, out of focus at a different distance. On phones the finder fills the width and the ring and release sit in one row beneath it.
import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
// The frames on the roll. `focus` is where on the ring (0 near, 1 far) this picture is sharp.
const shots = [
{ photo: "https://images.pexels.com/photos/3765140/pexels-photo-3765140.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800", alt: "Young woman in oversized pale blue sunglasses and a mustard roll-neck against a turquoise wall", tone: "#3aa9c4", focus: 0.58, speed: "250", stop: "2.8" },
{ photo: "https://images.pexels.com/photos/14793008/pexels-photo-14793008.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800", alt: "Woman with long hair lit deep blue in front of a yellow backdrop", tone: "#8a7a10", focus: 0.3, speed: "125", stop: "2" },
{ photo: "https://images.pexels.com/photos/9769861/pexels-photo-9769861.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800", alt: "Woman with braided hair lifting green oval sunglasses, wearing a pale green jacket", tone: "#8f9499", focus: 0.76, speed: "500", stop: "4" },
{ photo: "https://images.pexels.com/photos/20829098/pexels-photo-20829098.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800", alt: "Woman with bright red hair falling across half her face in low evening sun", tone: "#6b5a4c", focus: 0.44, speed: "1000", stop: "1.4" },
];
const distances = ["0.45", "0.5", "0.6", "0.7", "0.85", "1", "1.2", "1.5", "2", "3", "5", "10", "∞"]; // metres, engraved round the ring
const SPAN = 2.7; // radians the ring turns from nearest focus to infinity
const SHARP = 0.012; // how close the ring must be to count as in focus
const INDEX = "#ff8a3c"; // the painted index line under the ring
const GRAIN = `url("data:image/svg+xml,${encodeURIComponent('<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="160" height="160"><filter id="n"><feTurbulence type="fractalNoise" baseFrequency="0.9" numOctaves="2" stitchTiles="stitch"/><feColorMatrix values="0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0.9 0"/></filter><rect width="160" height="160" filter="url(#n)"/></svg>')}")`;
const PRISM = "repeating-conic-gradient(#000 0 25%, transparent 0 50%)";
export default function SlrViewfinderSplitImageGallery() {
const view = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
const glass = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
const ringBox = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
const canvas = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
const [index, setIndex] = useState(0);
const [sharp, setSharp] = useState(false);
const [ringValue, setRingValue] = useState(0.2);
const [firing, setFiring] = useState(false);
const api = useRef<{ fire: (fromUser: boolean) => void; turnTo: (v: number) => void } | null>(null);
useEffect(() => {
const root = view.current, pane = glass.current, box = ringBox.current, cv = canvas.current;
if (!root || !pane || !box || !cv) return;
const ctx = cv.getContext("2d");
if (!ctx) return;
const reduce = window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches;
const dpr = Math.min(2, window.devicePixelRatio || 1);
const s = { v: reduce ? shots[0].focus : shots[0].focus - 0.3, vel: 0, target: null as number | null, drag: false, idx: 0, sharp: false, busy: false, W: 300, H: 78 };
const timers: number[] = [];
const later = (fn: () => void, ms: number) => { timers.push(window.setTimeout(fn, ms)); };
const size = () => {
const g = pane.getBoundingClientRect();
root.style.setProperty("--slrvf-w", `${g.width}px`); root.style.setProperty("--slrvf-h", `${g.height}px`);
s.W = box.clientWidth; s.H = box.clientHeight;
cv.width = Math.round(s.W * dpr); cv.height = Math.round(s.H * dpr);
};
// The focus ring, seen from above: a cylinder, so everything bunches up towards the two edges.
const drawRing = () => {
const { W, H } = s, cx = W / 2, R = W / 2 - 1, GRIP = Math.round(H * 0.56), TL = -0.5;
ctx.setTransform(dpr, 0, 0, dpr, 0, 0);
ctx.clearRect(0, 0, W, H);
ctx.fillStyle = "#070708"; ctx.fillRect(cx - R, 0, R * 2, H);
const phi = s.v * SPAN, step = 0.074;
const k0 = Math.floor((phi - Math.PI / 2) / step);
for (let k = k0; k <= k0 + Math.ceil(Math.PI / step) + 1; k++) {
const th = k * step - phi;
if (th < -Math.PI / 2 || th > Math.PI / 2) continue;
const x0 = cx + R * Math.sin(th), x1 = cx + R * Math.sin(Math.min(Math.PI / 2, th + step * 0.56));
const light = Math.pow(Math.max(0, Math.cos(th - TL)), 4), body = Math.max(0, Math.cos(th));
const v = 17 + 64 * light + 16 * body;
const g = ctx.createLinearGradient(0, 2, 0, GRIP - 2);
g.addColorStop(0, `rgb(${v * 0.45},${v * 0.45},${v * 0.48})`); g.addColorStop(0.12, `rgb(${v + 14},${v + 14},${v + 17})`); g.addColorStop(0.22, `rgb(${v},${v},${v + 3})`); g.addColorStop(0.85, `rgb(${v * 0.9},${v * 0.9},${v * 0.93})`); g.addColorStop(1, `rgb(${v * 0.35},${v * 0.35},${v * 0.38})`);
ctx.fillStyle = g; ctx.fillRect(x0, 2, Math.max(0.6, x1 - x0), GRIP - 4);
ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(255,255,255,${0.05 + 0.3 * light})`; ctx.fillRect(x0, 2, 0.7, GRIP - 4);
}
// bright metal band under the rubber
const chrome = ctx.createLinearGradient(cx - R, 0, cx + R, 0);
([[0, 12], [0.1, 60], [0.2, 120], [0.265, 250], [0.31, 150], [0.45, 72], [0.62, 44], [0.8, 86], [0.93, 40], [1, 8]] as [number, number][]).forEach(([p, v]) => chrome.addColorStop(p, `rgb(${v},${v},${Math.min(255, v + 6)})`));
ctx.fillStyle = chrome; ctx.fillRect(cx - R, GRIP, R * 2, 4);
ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(0,0,0,0.6)"; ctx.fillRect(cx - R, GRIP + 4, R * 2, 1);
// engraved distance scale
ctx.fillStyle = "#121214"; ctx.fillRect(cx - R, GRIP + 5, R * 2, H - GRIP - 5);
ctx.textAlign = "center"; ctx.textBaseline = "middle";
const n = distances.length, mid = GRIP + 5 + (H - GRIP - 5) * 0.56;
for (let i = 0; i < n * 4 - 3; i++) {
const th = (i / (n * 4 - 4) - s.v) * SPAN;
if (Math.abs(th) > 1.5) continue;
const x = cx + R * Math.sin(th), c = Math.cos(th), major = i % 4 === 0;
ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(238,240,243,${(major ? 0.85 : 0.4) * (0.25 + 0.75 * c)})`;
ctx.fillRect(x - 0.5, GRIP + 6, 1, major ? 5 : 3);
if (!major) continue;
ctx.save(); ctx.translate(x, mid + 1.5); ctx.scale(Math.max(0.05, c), 1);
ctx.font = `600 ${distances[i / 4] === "∞" ? 15 : 11}px ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif`;
ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(0,0,0,0.8)`; ctx.fillText(distances[i / 4], 0, 0.8);
ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(238,240,243,${0.2 + 0.75 * c})`; ctx.fillText(distances[i / 4], 0, 0);
ctx.restore();
}
// roundness: dark limbs and one long highlight where the lamp hits the barrel
const limb = ctx.createLinearGradient(cx - R, 0, cx + R, 0);
limb.addColorStop(0, "rgba(0,0,0,0.94)"); limb.addColorStop(0.16, "rgba(0,0,0,0.3)"); limb.addColorStop(0.255, "rgba(255,255,255,0.1)"); limb.addColorStop(0.3, "rgba(255,255,255,0.02)"); limb.addColorStop(0.6, "rgba(0,0,0,0.08)"); limb.addColorStop(0.86, "rgba(0,0,0,0.5)"); limb.addColorStop(1, "rgba(0,0,0,0.96)");
ctx.fillStyle = limb; ctx.fillRect(cx - R, 0, R * 2, H);
};
const apply = () => {
const want = shots[s.idx].focus;
const e = Math.max(-1, Math.min(1, (s.v - want) * 3.2));
root.style.setProperty("--slrvf-e", e.toFixed(4)); root.style.setProperty("--slrvf-a", Math.abs(e).toFixed(4));
const ok = Math.abs(s.v - want) < SHARP;
root.dataset.focus = ok ? "ok" : e < 0 ? "near" : "far";
if (ok !== s.sharp) { s.sharp = ok; setSharp(ok); }
drawRing();
};
let raf = 0, last = 0, seen = true, touched = -1e9, heldSince = 0, startAt = performance.now() + 350, hold = 5200;
const fire = (fromUser: boolean) => {
if (fromUser) touched = performance.now();
if (s.busy) return;
s.busy = true;
const next = () => { s.idx = (s.idx + 1) % shots.length; setIndex(s.idx); heldSince = 0; startAt = performance.now() + 900; s.target = null; apply(); };
if (reduce) { next(); s.busy = false; return; }
setFiring(true);
later(next, 150);
later(() => { setFiring(false); s.busy = false; wake(); }, 460);
};
const frame = (now: number) => {
raf = 0;
const dt = Math.min(0.033, (now - last) / 1000); last = now;
const idle = now - touched > 8000;
if (idle && !s.drag && !s.busy) {
if (s.target === null && now > startAt) s.target = shots[s.idx].focus;
if (s.sharp) { if (!heldSince) heldSince = now; else if (now - heldSince > hold) { hold = 2600; fire(false); } } else heldSince = 0;
}
if (s.target !== null && !s.drag) {
// hunt a little past the mark and come back, the way a hand does
s.vel += (62 * (s.target - s.v) - 9.5 * s.vel) * dt; s.v += s.vel * dt;
if (Math.abs(s.target - s.v) < 0.0006 && Math.abs(s.vel) < 0.004) { s.v = s.target; s.vel = 0; s.target = null; setRingValue(s.v); }
}
apply();
if (seen && !document.hidden) raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
};
const wake = () => { if (!raf && !reduce) { last = performance.now(); raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame); } };
api.current = {
fire,
turnTo: (v) => { touched = performance.now(); s.target = null; s.vel = 0; s.v = v; setRingValue(v); if (reduce) apply(); else wake(); },
};
// Dragging the ring: the surface follows the finger, and it drops into focus when let go close enough.
let lastX = 0;
const onDown = (e: PointerEvent) => { s.drag = true; s.target = null; s.vel = 0; lastX = e.clientX; touched = performance.now(); box.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId); e.preventDefault(); wake(); };
const onMove = (e: PointerEvent) => {
if (!s.drag) return;
touched = performance.now();
s.v = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, s.v - (e.clientX - lastX) / ((s.W / 2) * SPAN))); lastX = e.clientX;
if (reduce) apply();
};
const onUp = () => {
if (!s.drag) return;
s.drag = false; touched = performance.now();
const want = shots[s.idx].focus;
if (Math.abs(s.v - want) < 0.05) { if (reduce) { s.v = want; apply(); } else s.target = want; }
setRingValue(s.v);
};
box.addEventListener("pointerdown", onDown); box.addEventListener("pointermove", onMove);
box.addEventListener("pointerup", onUp); box.addEventListener("pointercancel", onUp);
const ro = new ResizeObserver(() => { size(); apply(); });
ro.observe(pane); ro.observe(box);
size(); apply(); wake();
const io = new IntersectionObserver(([entry]) => { seen = entry.isIntersecting; if (seen) wake(); });
io.observe(root);
const onVis = () => { if (!document.hidden) wake(); };
document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", onVis);
return () => {
cancelAnimationFrame(raf); timers.forEach((t) => window.clearTimeout(t)); api.current = null;
box.removeEventListener("pointerdown", onDown); box.removeEventListener("pointermove", onMove);
box.removeEventListener("pointerup", onUp); box.removeEventListener("pointercancel", onUp);
ro.disconnect(); io.disconnect(); document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", onVis);
};
}, []);
const shot = shots[index];
// One copy of the picture, sized and placed to sit exactly over the ground glass wherever it is nested.
const copy = (extra = "") => (
<img src={shot.photo} alt="" width={1200} height={800} draggable={false} className={`absolute max-w-none object-cover ${extra}`} style={{ width: "var(--slrvf-w)", height: "var(--slrvf-h)", left: "calc(50% - var(--slrvf-w) / 2)", top: "calc(50% - var(--slrvf-h) / 2)" }} />
);
const prism = (shift: string, offset: string) => (
<div className="absolute inset-0" style={{ WebkitMaskImage: PRISM, maskImage: PRISM, WebkitMaskSize: "7px 7px", maskSize: "7px 7px", WebkitMaskPosition: offset, maskPosition: offset }}>
<div className="absolute inset-0 will-change-transform" style={{ transform: `translate3d(calc(var(--slrvf-e) * ${shift}), 0, 0)` }}>{copy()}</div>
</div>
);
return (
<div ref={view} data-focus="near" className="slrvf flex min-h-[560px] w-full flex-col items-center justify-center overflow-hidden bg-[#050506] px-3 py-8 sm:min-h-[780px] sm:px-6" style={{ ["--slrvf-e" as string]: "-0.96", ["--slrvf-a" as string]: "0.96", ["--slrvf-w" as string]: "300px", ["--slrvf-h" as string]: "200px" }}>
<style>{`
@keyframes slrvf-slap { 0% { transform: translateY(-102%); } 22% { transform: translateY(0); } 62% { transform: translateY(0); } 100% { transform: translateY(-102%); } }
.slrvf .slrvf-mirror { transform: translateY(-102%); }
.slrvf .slrvf-mirror[data-on="true"] { animation: slrvf-slap 460ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.3, 1) both; }
.slrvf .slrvf-led { color: #ff4a36; text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 60, 40, 0.85), 0 0 1px #ff9a8a; }
.slrvf .slrvf-arrow, .slrvf .slrvf-dot { opacity: 0.16; transition: opacity 120ms linear; }
.slrvf[data-focus="near"] .slrvf-arrow-r, .slrvf[data-focus="far"] .slrvf-arrow-l { opacity: 1; }
.slrvf[data-focus="ok"] .slrvf-dot { opacity: 1; }
.slrvf .slrvf-dot { color: #5dff8c; text-shadow: 0 0 7px rgba(70, 255, 130, 0.9); }
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { .slrvf .slrvf-mirror[data-on="true"] { animation: none; } .slrvf .slrvf-arrow, .slrvf .slrvf-dot { transition: none; } }
`}</style>
{/* The view through the eyepiece: nothing but black round the screen. */}
<div className="w-full max-w-[820px]">
<div className="overflow-hidden rounded-[6px] bg-black sm:rounded-[10px]">
{/* The ground glass. */}
<div ref={glass} role="img" aria-label={shot.alt} className="relative aspect-[3/2] w-full overflow-hidden" style={{ backgroundColor: shot.tone }}>
<img src={shot.photo} alt="" width={1200} height={800} draggable={false} className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover" />
<div className="absolute inset-0" style={{ opacity: "calc(var(--slrvf-a) * 2.6)" }}>
<img src={shot.photo} alt="" width={1200} height={800} draggable={false} className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full scale-[1.02] object-cover blur-[3px] sm:blur-[5px]" />
</div>
<div className="absolute inset-0" style={{ opacity: "calc((var(--slrvf-a) - 0.3) * 2.2)" }}>
<img src={shot.photo} alt="" width={1200} height={800} draggable={false} className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full scale-[1.06] object-cover blur-[9px] sm:blur-[18px]" />
</div>
{/* fresnel rings and the grain of the screen */}
<div aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-0 opacity-[0.5] mix-blend-overlay" style={{ backgroundImage: GRAIN }} />
<div aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-0 bg-[repeating-radial-gradient(circle_at_50%_50%,rgba(255,255,255,0.035)_0_1px,rgba(0,0,0,0)_1px_4px)]" />
{/* microprism collar: two copies seen through opposite squares of a fine check, pulled apart when out of focus */}
<div aria-hidden="true" className="absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 aspect-square h-[40%] -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 overflow-hidden rounded-full shadow-[0_0_0_1px_rgba(0,0,0,0.42),0_0_0_2px_rgba(255,255,255,0.14)]">
{prism("5.5%", "0 0")}
{prism("-5.5%", "3.5px 0")}
<div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black" style={{ opacity: "calc(var(--slrvf-a) * 0.22)" }} />
<div className="absolute inset-0 opacity-[0.07]" style={{ backgroundImage: PRISM, backgroundSize: "7px 7px" }} />
</div>
{/* split image: the top half slides one way and the bottom half the other until the edges meet */}
<div aria-hidden="true" className="absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 aspect-square h-[23%] -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 overflow-hidden rounded-full shadow-[0_0_0_1px_rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0_0_0_2px_rgba(255,255,255,0.18)]">
<div className="absolute inset-x-0 top-0 h-1/2 overflow-hidden">
<div className="absolute left-0 top-0 h-[200%] w-full will-change-transform" style={{ transform: "translate3d(calc(var(--slrvf-e) * 17%), 0, 0)" }}>{copy()}</div>
</div>
<div className="absolute inset-x-0 top-1/2 h-1/2 overflow-hidden">
<div className="absolute left-0 top-[-100%] h-[200%] w-full will-change-transform" style={{ transform: "translate3d(calc(var(--slrvf-e) * -17%), 0, 0)" }}>{copy()}</div>
</div>
<div className="absolute inset-x-0 top-1/2 h-px -translate-y-1/2 bg-black/45" />
<div className="absolute inset-0 rounded-full bg-[linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(255,255,255,0.1),rgba(255,255,255,0)_45%,rgba(0,0,0,0.08))]" />
</div>
{/* the edge of the eyepiece and the mirror that swings up when the shutter fires */}
<div aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-0 shadow-[inset_0_0_90px_10px_rgba(0,0,0,0.55),inset_0_0_10px_1px_rgba(0,0,0,0.7)]" />
<div aria-hidden="true" data-on={firing} className="slrvf-mirror absolute inset-0 bg-black" />
</div>
{/* readout along the bottom of the finder */}
<div className="flex h-[26px] items-center justify-between bg-black px-3 font-mono text-[11px] font-bold tracking-[0.12em] sm:h-[38px] sm:px-6 sm:text-[15px]">
<span className="slrvf-led">{shot.speed}<span className="mx-2 opacity-60 sm:mx-3">F{shot.stop}</span></span>
<span aria-hidden="true" className="flex items-center gap-2 sm:gap-3">
<span className="slrvf-led slrvf-arrow slrvf-arrow-r">{"▶"}</span>
<span className="slrvf-dot text-[13px] sm:text-[17px]">{"●"}</span>
<span className="slrvf-led slrvf-arrow slrvf-arrow-l">{"◀"}</span>
</span>
<span className="slrvf-led">{String(index + 1).padStart(2, "0")}<span className="opacity-60">/{String(shots.length).padStart(2, "0")}</span></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
{/* The lens barrel from above, and the shutter release. */}
<div className="mt-6 flex w-full max-w-[620px] items-center gap-4 sm:mt-8 sm:gap-7">
<div className="relative min-w-0 flex-1">
<div ref={ringBox} className="relative h-[66px] w-full cursor-ew-resize touch-none overflow-hidden rounded-[5px] shadow-[0_16px_26px_-10px_rgba(0,0,0,1),0_0_0_1px_rgba(0,0,0,1)] sm:h-[82px]">
<canvas ref={canvas} aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full" />
</div>
<span aria-hidden="true" className="absolute left-1/2 top-full mt-[5px] h-[9px] w-[2px] -translate-x-1/2 rounded-full" style={{ backgroundColor: INDEX }} />
<label htmlFor="slrvf-ring" className="sr-only">Focus ring</label>
<input
id="slrvf-ring"
type="range"
min={0}
max={1}
step={0.01}
value={Math.round(ringValue * 100) / 100}
onChange={(e) => api.current?.turnTo(Number(e.target.value))}
aria-valuetext={sharp ? "In focus" : "Out of focus"}
className="peer pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full opacity-0"
/>
<span aria-hidden="true" className="pointer-events-none absolute -inset-[5px] rounded-[9px] ring-2 ring-[#ff8a3c] opacity-0 peer-focus-visible:opacity-100" />
</div>
<button
type="button"
onClick={() => api.current?.fire(true)}
aria-label="Release the shutter and wind on to the next frame"
className="group relative h-[58px] w-[58px] shrink-0 rounded-full bg-[conic-gradient(from_210deg,#f4f5f7,#6d7178_14%,#d9dbdf_28%,#3d4046_44%,#babdc3_58%,#55585e_72%,#eceef0_86%,#f4f5f7)] shadow-[0_14px_22px_-8px_rgba(0,0,0,1),0_2px_3px_rgba(0,0,0,0.9),inset_0_0_0_1px_rgba(0,0,0,0.45)] outline-none transition-transform duration-100 focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[#ff8a3c] focus-visible:ring-offset-4 focus-visible:ring-offset-[#050506] active:translate-y-[1px] active:scale-[0.97] motion-reduce:transition-none sm:h-[72px] sm:w-[72px]"
>
<span aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-[7px] rounded-full bg-[conic-gradient(from_30deg,#2a2c30,#8d9097_18%,#e9eaed_30%,#7a7d84_46%,#33353a_62%,#a9acb2_80%,#2a2c30)] shadow-[inset_0_0_0_1px_rgba(0,0,0,0.55)]" />
<span aria-hidden="true" className="absolute inset-[11px] rounded-full bg-[radial-gradient(circle_at_50%_70%,#f3f4f6_0%,#b3b6bc_38%,#5c5f66_78%,#2c2e32_100%)] shadow-[inset_0_3px_5px_rgba(0,0,0,0.55),inset_0_-1px_1px_rgba(255,255,255,0.7)] transition-shadow group-active:shadow-[inset_0_5px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.75)]" />
<span aria-hidden="true" className="absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 h-[10px] w-[10px] -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 rounded-full bg-[radial-gradient(circle,#050506_45%,#3a3c41_60%,#0c0c0d_100%)] shadow-[0_1px_0_rgba(255,255,255,0.55)] sm:h-[12px] sm:w-[12px]" />
</button>
</div>
<p aria-live="polite" className="mt-6 min-h-[20px] text-center font-mono text-[11px] uppercase leading-5 tracking-[0.16em] text-zinc-400 sm:mt-7">
<span className="text-zinc-100">{sharp ? "In focus" : "Turn the ring"}</span>
<span className="mx-2 text-zinc-600">/</span>
{sharp ? "press the release" : "line up the two halves"}
</p>
</div>
);
}
Install with one command: npx shadcn@latest add https://we.inc/r/slr-viewfinder-photo-gallery-with-a-split-image-focusing-circle-you-line-up-before-the-shutter-fires.json
The circle holds two more copies of the photograph, one clipped to its top half and one to its bottom half, each placed so it sits exactly over the picture behind. A CSS variable carries the focus error from minus one to one, and the two halves translate in opposite directions by that amount. At zero they meet and the circle disappears into the image.
No. Two blurred copies of the photo, one light and one heavy, are stacked over the sharp one and only their opacity follows the focus error. The browser blurs each copy once when it loads and the animation is opacity and transform after that.
They are the focus aid from the readout of a late manual camera. The arrow that is lit tells you which way to turn the ring, and when both go dark and the green dot comes on the picture is sharp.
Give every entry in `shots` the same `focus` value. After the first frame the ring is already on the mark, so each press of the release shows a sharp picture straight away.
On a small 2D canvas as a cylinder seen from above. Each rubber rib and each engraved distance is placed at the sine of its angle, so they crowd together and narrow towards the left and right edges, and a horizontal gradient adds the dark limbs and one highlight.
Related: Light Table Slide Gallery with a Glass Loupe That Glides Between Mounted Transparencies, Slide Projector Photo Carousel with a Ribbed Tray That Clicks Round and Drops Each Frame into the Beam, Instant Camera That Ejects Photos You Shake to Develop.
More galleries and carousels or all free UI components. Start for free to have a full site built around it.
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