21mm vs. 50mm Perspective: Pick One
Apr 18, 2018 20:52:02 #
The subject is a statute of Jefferson Davis looking down at Martin Luther King's Dexter Avenue Church in Montgomery, Alabama. My initial reaction was to shoot the scene with a 21mm lens. This is the first shot. I had to move around to avoid trees in the background, etc., to frame the shot. However, I later put a 50mm lens on the camera to take some other shots and I wondered whether I might capture the same basic scene with a 50mm. Initially I did not see how to position the shot with the 50mm, but then I saw how to make it fit--as I would have been forced to do if I had only the 50mm at hand (ala HCB). This is the second shot.
The pair of photos illustrate the compression of a longer lens versus a wide angle which I find interesting (and maybe some viewers will also find it instructive).
Both accomplish my goal of having the background of the statue clear--but they feel very different. I am not sure whether I like the 21mm or the 50mm better. Sometimes it is hard to visualize how the different shots will come out.
Pick one and, if possible, state why. Would you pick one for one purpose and the other for another?
The pair of photos illustrate the compression of a longer lens versus a wide angle which I find interesting (and maybe some viewers will also find it instructive).
Both accomplish my goal of having the background of the statue clear--but they feel very different. I am not sure whether I like the 21mm or the 50mm better. Sometimes it is hard to visualize how the different shots will come out.
Pick one and, if possible, state why. Would you pick one for one purpose and the other for another?
Apr 18, 2018 21:02:38 #
From my perspective, having knowledge about the buildings in the distance, added with the identity of the statue, makes number two a more compelling image. The compression you speak of closes the gap in number two as to make more of a statement by putting these two disparate “objects” in closer conflict, thus creating a tension, based on the two represented symbols. That is my humble opinion. And I thank you for sharing these.
Apr 18, 2018 21:06:21 #
Einreb92 wrote:
From my perspective, having knowledge about the buildings in the distance, added with the identity of the statue, makes number two a more compelling image. The compression you speak of closes the gap in number two as to make more of a statement by putting these two disparate “objects” in closer conflict, thus creating a tension, based on the two represented symbols. That is my humble opinion. And I thank you for sharing these.
Thank you. I can see your point. Makes a lot of sense. It is interesting to me how the compression really moves the two objects closer.
Apr 18, 2018 21:58:33 #
Just to be clear. A different lens NEVER changes perspective. Going from wide to normal to telephoto only changes the field of view. To change perspective, the camera-to-subject distance must change.
Apr 18, 2018 23:51:51 #
CaptainC wrote:
Just to be clear. A different lens NEVER changes perspective. Going from wide to normal to telephoto only changes the field of view. To change perspective, the camera-to-subject distance must change.
True. The 21mm was back and to the left. The 50mm was closer and to the right of the statue. Sorry if the caption was confusing. I had to move to frame the shot. But what interested me is how very different they look--which is mostly a function of the compression of the different lenses--and not the FOV or the difference in position.
Apr 19, 2018 02:55:11 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Prefer picture #2. The first picture includes too much. The tree splits the image into two halves. The left side is superfluous, in telling the story.
Apr 19, 2018 03:25:53 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
whwiden wrote:
But what interested me is how very different they look--which is mostly a function of the compression of the different lenses--and not the FOV or the difference in position.
They look different due to the difference in position.
Apr 19, 2018 05:34:55 #
I prefer the second as there is no contention for the main focal point of the image, while in the first my eye is drawn to both the tree and the statue, "confusing" me as to the main subject.
Apr 19, 2018 06:42:50 #
To me, I preferred the second just looking at the posting, but looking at the downloads caused me to prefer the first by a large margin. The second just seems to be incomplete.
Apr 19, 2018 06:48:48 #
I think in photo #2, the buildings along the street compete too much with the statue. My attention is more on the church steeple and the building behind it with the dome roof. The statue in that photo is acting more as a frame for the picture. I like the effect in photo #1 more. The wide angle lens diminishes the size of the buildings on the street. I would like to have seen photo #2 taken with the 21mm lens.
I agree with the poster who mentioned that the tree in photo #1 splits the image into two. The large building directly in front of the statue is too imposing.
I agree with the poster who mentioned that the tree in photo #1 splits the image into two. The large building directly in front of the statue is too imposing.
Apr 19, 2018 06:57:49 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
whwiden wrote:
The subject is a statute of Jefferson Davis lookin... (show quote)
There are so many perspectives to chose from. If it was me I would work from the front of the statue on a low angle and include his face and the church. That said I like the 50 better cause is shows the church better.
Apr 19, 2018 07:00:26 #
whwiden wrote:
The subject is a statute of Jefferson Davis lookin... (show quote)
#2 is best. There is too much going on in #1. #2 is much more obvious what is going on; in #2 the church is right there, very obvious.
Apr 19, 2018 07:24:29 #
Apr 19, 2018 07:24:47 #
Defiantly Picture 2 (50mm). It 'features' the statue rather then just including it in the composition. Picture 2 tells more of a story; the perspective draws your eye to the head of the statue and you realize he's looking over the town . . . as least as much as anyone made of stone can to.
Apr 19, 2018 07:34:38 #
Pablo8 wrote:
Prefer picture #2. The first picture includes too much. The tree splits the image into two halves. The left side is superfluous, in telling the story.
Thank you. Yes, the tree does split the image. It would have been better, perhaps, if the 21mm shot had been taken from the position of the 50mm shot. I was concentrated on not having the tree interfere with the statute and did not visualize the divide it would create.
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