HELP! This is driving me crazy!

[kindredorange]

Ok, y'all, here goes...
A while back, Canon had a TV commercial wherein they were showcasing a new feature of one of their Powershot cameras (I think). In the commercial, live action suddenly slowed down--a pass caught by a football player, if I remember correctly.

Recently, I've seen several movies and TV shows use an effect that makes still shots look 3-dimensional...almost as if you could reach into (or walk into) the photos. Usually, this is done with black and white photos. I've tried to Google this, and I've gotten results like Lomo photography and tilt shift lens photography, but none of these really capture what I'm looking for.

Do any of you know what this effect is called? More importantly, are there any photo editing software programs available to the average consumer that can achieve this effect?

I hate that I can't even remember the name of the movie I recently watched that used this effect in the credits as I'm sure that would help you understand what it is that I'm asking about?

[zona5101]

If i am thinking of the same effect it is a Multi camera array.

First big use of it that got a lot of press was The Matrix.

[CheaperKings]

It's a Photoshop/After Effects trick. It has nothing to do with the camera (if I'm thinking of your thought correctly). I think you're talking about when you're seeing a single shot but then they pan it over and it looks 3D. If that's what you're thinking then, here's how it's done:

You take a photo on a tripod. Then, you remove the people (or whatever) from the scene. Take another shot (the background plate). Bring both images into Photoshop, lay them on top of each (with the one with people on it on the top layer). Mask the people out (each individually) and make separate layers for each person. Bring it into Adobe After Effects and pan as you like.

Or, I could be completely wrong on your observations...

EDIT: Now if you're talking about one of the old, old B&W shots then it's done just a little differently. What they do is, take an old photo, cut out the person(s) you want to be 'floating' and place them on a new layer (in After Effects) and pan slightly. You'll notice, when they do that, they never pan real far because the background isn't replaceable. Also the person in the photo is bigger than the background because they're using his size to hide some of the background they cut him out of).

Hope this helps.

[vsa]

Displacement map to rescue?

AFTER EFFECTS - DISPLACEMENT MAPS - TURN STILL IMAGE INTO 3D - YouTube