Compressing the Bay
Jul 25, 2019 14:33:16 #
I was an early subscriber to this section and I visit it daily. I continue to believe it is one of UHH's most civil, thoughtful and useful sections. However, I post most of my photos in the gallery because I truly believe most of my work does not merit a whole lot of serious consideration and discussion. I posted a set of photos early this week which, as sometimes happens, disappeared with very little response, thank you Linda, Carol, and Mike.
I was hoping to hear some thoughts about the phenomenon of distance compression in landscape photos taken at long focal lengths. I am posting a photo that seems to illustrate that compression and asking for your thoughts. The foreground trees are a few hundred yard away, the port of Oakland is 6 miles and the San Francisco skyline is 12 miles from the POV.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-601910-1.html
I was hoping to hear some thoughts about the phenomenon of distance compression in landscape photos taken at long focal lengths. I am posting a photo that seems to illustrate that compression and asking for your thoughts. The foreground trees are a few hundred yard away, the port of Oakland is 6 miles and the San Francisco skyline is 12 miles from the POV.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-601910-1.html
Jul 25, 2019 14:39:56 #
Phil, that is a great example. It's hard to believe the distances. If I were seeing this with no explanation, I would think it was a composite of some sort.
Jul 25, 2019 14:48:39 #
I posted a topic to main discussion last summer that has some information on perspective along with a whole lot of bad behavior you won't want to read. Here is one article that explains what is going on with photos like yours: https://photographylife.com/what-is-lens-compression
Folks who are into the physics of camera lenses will enjoy talking about the "why." For me it's more important to simply know that we can use telephoto as you've demonstrated to produce a highly engaging and effective result!
Folks who are into the physics of camera lenses will enjoy talking about the "why." For me it's more important to simply know that we can use telephoto as you've demonstrated to produce a highly engaging and effective result!
Jul 25, 2019 14:50:51 #
Jul 25, 2019 15:01:35 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
Phil, that is a great example. It's hard to believe the distances. If I were seeing this with no explanation, I would think it was a composite of some sort.
Thanks Carol, as we discussed in the previous post, the fog is a big player in this image as well.
Jul 25, 2019 15:04:42 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I posted a topic to main discussion last summer th... (show quote)
Great link, thanks. As usual you are right on the mark my friend! I don't know how you do it but I sure am grateful!
Jul 25, 2019 15:12:43 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I posted a topic to main discussion last summer th... (show quote)
Linda From Maine wrote:
I posted a topic to main discussion last summer th... (show quote)
Good article in terms of USING lens compression. It is incorrect, however, when it says "perspective does not change." I did what was suggested, taking a wide angle and a tele shot of the same scene centered on the same area. Overlay them, increase the transparency of each, and you will see that the perspective WILL have changed. Not in terms of one object being in front of another, that of course remains the same, but in terms of what our eyes see and perspective theory explains, the perspective is changed. Even better, take a third shot with a 50mm or 55mm lens (this lens is closest to what the human eye sees), overlay that on the first two, and you will see BOTH wide and short lenses affect perspective.
Altering the perspective might not harm what the photographer wants to express, and that is the determining factor. Know, however, that distortion will occur.
Rockdog's photo is very effective in creating a Shangri La feeling for me.
Jul 25, 2019 16:11:25 #
Jul 25, 2019 23:19:05 #
Jul 25, 2019 23:21:44 #
artBob wrote:
Good article in terms of USING lens compression. I... (show quote)
perspective/perception? thanks for the comment Bob
Jul 25, 2019 23:26:21 #
UTMike wrote:
Excellent post, Phil, and the discussion it stimulates.
Thanks Mike, all things being equal I would still rather be in the Palouse!
Jul 26, 2019 06:48:37 #
Heather Iles
Loc: UK, Somerset
rockdog wrote:
I was an early subscriber to this section and I vi... (show quote)
What you have to remember that it is human nature that people follow their buddies.
Jul 26, 2019 11:16:00 #
I agree that this is a good example of the lens compression effect. I would also add that it's a good example of one of the possible problems, which is haze due to the distances involved. In this case it adds to the general atmosphere, but for straight landscape shots, that much haze would be a bit more than you would normally want.
The effect reminds me of traditional Chinese art. A common criticism of that style is that it lacks realistic perspective. Perhaps the truth is that the Chinese deliberately employed a lens compression effect
.
The effect reminds me of traditional Chinese art. A common criticism of that style is that it lacks realistic perspective. Perhaps the truth is that the Chinese deliberately employed a lens compression effect
.Jul 26, 2019 12:47:44 #
Jul 26, 2019 13:17:41 #
Heather Iles wrote:
What you have to remember that it is human nature that people follow their buddies.
Well, if you are saying that social media is driven by reciprocity....I agree. How do you feel about lens compression?
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