Why Wide-angle Lenses for Landscapes? (Page 3): If one remembers that our eyes see equivalent to approximately 50mm then anything wider than 50mm to our eyes is a wide angle anything...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Main Photography Discussion

Why Wide-angle Lenses for Landscapes?

Page <<first <prev 3 of 10 next> last>>

Apr 2, 2013 03:46:18 #

washy Loc: Dorset UK

jerryc41 wrote:

I was surprised to hear that, too, for exactly the... (show quote)

If one remembers that our eyes see equivalent to approximately 50mm then anything wider than 50mm to our eyes is a wide angle anything longer than 50mm to our eyes is a telephoto.

Apr 2, 2013 04:01:10 #

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

JudyTee23 wrote:

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.

I want to have another go at having input to this one.
"Should be used" is different to "is a very good lens for landscapes".
An ultrawide is a great landscape lens. That doesn't mean that it is the only choice.

JudyTee23 wrote:

Is this just some "newbie" fixation, or is there a substantive rationale for the belief?

This question is asked as if it has to be one or the other and is based on the false rationale mentioned above.

JudyTee23 wrote:

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.

How about we let Galen's actions talk for us here. Galen Rowell was one of the worlds pre-eminent photographers of mountains.
Here is an extract from an article where Thom Hogan talks about going on his first shoot with Galen.
".....Like everyone else on the tour, I took out my 500mm lens, put an extender on it, and started shooting. Then I looked at Galen. He wasn't getting out his longest lens, he was getting out his 16mm lens and discarding all the rest of his gear. ......"http://www.bythom.com/chasing.htm

JudyTee23 wrote:

Maybe some of the Forum experts can educate me as to why wide-angle lenses are so popular for landscapes.

I don't know if anyone classifies me as a "forum expert" or not but I don't mind giving my opinion.
I think your judgement on ultrawides is based on misconceptions.
I actually find them easier to use, easier to define a clear center of interest, easier in producing an interesting and compelling image.

I think what you do is harder.
I find it harder with a 50mm lens.

Apr 2, 2013 05:34:46 #

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Just use the lens that will give you the picture that you envision

Apr 2, 2013 05:51:51 #

oldogfoto Loc: USA

Perhaps the best lens is what works for you?

Apr 2, 2013 05:58:06 #

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

JudyTee23 wrote:

I am just being curious, but I have often wondered... (show quote)

Good morning
The same thing goes for getting low I have heard some hot shot guys say you have to shoot low and wide. I see nothing wrong with shooting down or at standing eye level. And also using a mid range focal length like 50 to 100 for shooting landscapes. What is happening we are getting collections of photos all shot from a very low angle with a wide view. It starts to make everyone's photo's look the same.

I try and shoot what makes me feel good about a subject and then I am happy

Apr 2, 2013 06:19:02 #

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Think that you are painting the scene. Just what IS your focul point, and how much depth do you strive for?

Apr 2, 2013 06:34:55 #

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Judy, my sumamry of the posts is that the mm is the lens is immaterial - use whatever creates the image you want.

Apr 2, 2013 06:42:29 #

Audi57 Loc: Bedford England.

It depends wholly on how much of the landscape you want in the photograph and from what vantage point you are taking it.

Apr 2, 2013 06:47:34 #

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Fits perfectly on my screen

Apr 2, 2013 06:50:22 #

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Fits Perfectly on my screen

gmcase wrote:

It looks great on my ipad as far as size. It looks fantastic to my eyes for composition, color and mood. Very nice!
:thumbup:

Apr 2, 2013 06:55:19 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

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...
http://douthittfamily.smugmug.com/2011Photos/September-2011/i-WQbjSm4/0/XL/Bay_HDR2-cropped-XL.jpg

Nice capture and use of the fisheye, Bob.

Apr 2, 2013 07:01:08 #

oldogfoto Loc: USA

Good answer Judy

Apr 2, 2013 07:30:33 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

washy wrote:

If one remembers that our eyes see equivalent to approximately 50mm then anything wider than 50mm to our eyes is a wide angle anything longer than 50mm to our eyes is a telephoto.

That's true, up to a point. The apparent size of things we see with a 50mm lens is roughly equivalent to what the eye sees, but the left-right field of view with the eye is more like a fisheye lens.

Apr 2, 2013 08:05:00 #

JKSde Loc: Middletown, De

I feel that the lens you use depends on the situation you want to photograph...On a recent trip, (this fall), I went to NYC on a trip to the Tower Memorial and boat ride around Manhatten Is. I used my 17-35mm Ultra Wide angle lens for theattached results.

Part of the NYC skyline