Why Wide-angle Lenses for Landscapes?
Apr 1, 2013 01:53:38 #
I am just being curious, but I have often wondered why there seems to be such a popular belief that landscape photos should be made using a wide-angle lens. I have read recommendations on this and other forums for using lenses as short as 10 mm.
Is this just some "newbie" fixation, or is there a substantive rationale for the belief?
I shoot many landscapes, from seashore to mountains, wetlands, etc., but I rarely, if ever, use anything on my D700 shorter than 50 mm and frequently at 100 mm or beyond. To me, a wide-angle lens would make it more difficult to define a clear center of interest, would likely turn mountains into molehills and generally increase the difficulty in producing an interesting and compelling image.
Maybe some of the Forum experts can educate me as to why wide-angle lenses are so popular for landscapes.
Is this just some "newbie" fixation, or is there a substantive rationale for the belief?
I shoot many landscapes, from seashore to mountains, wetlands, etc., but I rarely, if ever, use anything on my D700 shorter than 50 mm and frequently at 100 mm or beyond. To me, a wide-angle lens would make it more difficult to define a clear center of interest, would likely turn mountains into molehills and generally increase the difficulty in producing an interesting and compelling image.
Maybe some of the Forum experts can educate me as to why wide-angle lenses are so popular for landscapes.
Apr 1, 2013 02:10:22 #
You have said what I have been saying for years, there is NO reason WHY a landscape needs a wide angle lens
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/telephoto-lenses.htm
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/27/pro-secrets-how-to-use-a-telephoto-lens-for-awesome-landscapes/
The perspective is fabulous with a tele
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/telephoto-lenses.htm
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/27/pro-secrets-how-to-use-a-telephoto-lens-for-awesome-landscapes/
The perspective is fabulous with a tele
Apr 1, 2013 02:15:30 #
David Popham
Loc: French Creek, British Columbia
Well said! I live very close to a rather steep mountain. If I use a wide angle lens it's a white bump on an undistinguished background.
I am a newbie and have found that my wide angle lens works best on stuff that I can take up close and personal, I can touch or almost touch the object of interest. The distortion then works in my favour to provide a more "dramatic" image.
I am a newbie and have found that my wide angle lens works best on stuff that I can take up close and personal, I can touch or almost touch the object of interest. The distortion then works in my favour to provide a more "dramatic" image.
Apr 1, 2013 03:21:16 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
JudyTee23 wrote:
I am just being curious, but I have often wondered... (show quote)
I think you are making a misconception.
I have never seen it written that it is a popular belief that landscape photos should be made using a wide-angle lens.
An ultra wide angle is a landscape lens and a great landscape lens at that.
A 24mm is also a landscape lens.
A 35mm is also a landscape lens.
A 50mm is also a landscape lens.
A 100mm is also a landscape lens.
A 200mm is also, and a 300mm, and a 400mm, and a 600mm, and an 800mm.
Apr 1, 2013 05:45:08 #
WNC Ralf
Loc: Candler NC, in the mountains!
All lenses are part of your tool kit, never restrict yourself. I often use longer lenses, but by never using a wide angle you are missing opourtunities for dramatic captures.
Apr 1, 2013 05:58:09 #
Certainly no expert, but I use both wide angle and tele lenses. I've found that, in many circumstances, a tele makes it easier to "crop" the image before its ever even taken. For me, it makes it easier to get rid of distractions near the edges of a frame while composing the shot and makes for just a bit less work in PP.
Apr 1, 2013 06:13:17 #
washy
Loc: Dorset UK
JudyTee23 wrote:
I am just being curious, but I have often wondered... (show quote)
if a building or buildings can be used in landscapes then sometimes a wild angle 1mm or such may be required to obtain all of the building other wise ant size of lens can be used for landscapes, it depends on how you the photographer sees it. Mind you sometimes some landscapes need that wider lens, other wise the shot can be left looking not complete.
Apr 1, 2013 06:13:53 #
washy
Loc: Dorset UK
washy wrote:
if a building or buildings can be used in landscapes then sometimes a wild angle 1mm or such may be required to obtain all of the building other wise ant size of lens can be used for landscapes, it depends on how you the photographer sees it. Mind you sometimes some landscapes need that wider lens, other wise the shot can be left looking not complete.
oppss not 1mm but 10mm sorry type error
Apr 1, 2013 07:14:38 #
One of my favorite focal lengths for landscapes is the 135mm on a full frame or 90mm on a APS-C sensor, in portrait orientation. It's all to do with perspective and image detail size.
Apr 1, 2013 07:57:01 #
One word...Clouds...mmm, they eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner...google it for some other examples.
While not my normal wide angle lens, this was captured using my 8mm Fisheye...
http://douthittfamily.smugmug.com/2011Photos/September-2011/i-WQbjSm4/0/XL/Bay_HDR2-cropped-XL.jpg
While not my normal wide angle lens, this was captured using my 8mm Fisheye...
http://douthittfamily.smugmug.com/2011Photos/September-2011/i-WQbjSm4/0/XL/Bay_HDR2-cropped-XL.jpg
Apr 1, 2013 08:29:20 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
One word...Clouds...mmm, they eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner...google it for some other examples.
While not my normal wide angle lens, this was captured using my 8mm Fisheye...
While not my normal wide angle lens, this was captured using my 8mm Fisheye...
Please load a smaller image - this is too big to view without scrolling.
Apr 1, 2013 08:34:21 #
Sorry, didn't think that an image on my 15" display would be too large for everyone...I forget that smugmug defaults to X2 size, not XL.
Apr 1, 2013 08:42:21 #
GrahamS wrote:
Please load a smaller image - this is too big to view without scrolling.
Interesting. It takes up only a small portion of my screen.
Apr 1, 2013 08:46:48 #
JudyTee23 wrote:
I am just being curious, but I have often wondered... (show quote)
I was surprised to hear that, too, for exactly the reasons you state. So, here's what I've gleaned from looking and reading. When you use a wide angle lens, you can get an image with a large, clear foreground and also the distant view. For example, a rather common image is a view of a shoreline at a beach showing a close-up of the sand/pebbles, but also showing the ocean and sunrise/sunset. A wide angle lens gives you the whole picture, from here to there. The trick is composing it properly.
The image posted above by coudhitt is a perfect example. If you were to crop that image and eliminate the beach, it would be a totally different photograph. The wide angle inclusion of the shore gives it depth.
Apr 1, 2013 09:10:04 #
A whole lot of nothing is a whole lot of Nothing. One of the toughest lens to use IMO. Mine gathers dust more than the rest. Probably one of the most sought after lens and use the least amount by most. Bought right at 2 years ago, in my first year of the hobby
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