The wide-angle lens is usually one of the most dreamed goals, not only because of its surprising results and possibilities, but because it often escapes the budget of mere mortals. And as for many of us, the easy and affordable is boring or less desirable. , this tends to fall ipso facto into our photo wish list once we have gotten a little into the photograph.
We talk about the wide angle always associated with landscapes, because perhaps it is one of its best known and recognized facets, but the truth is that a wide-angle lens can adapt to many situations and give you truly incredible images. to do this, first you have to know it a little bit to press its possibilities that are not uncommon?
- They are those that offer a very wide viewing angle.
- Usually considered wide angle lenses those with a focal length of between 18 mm and 35 mm.
In wide angle lenses, we have those considered ‘normal’ and those considered ‘super wide angle’.
? Standard Wide Angle: Typically, they include focal lengths between 28 and 35 mm and with a viewing angle ranging from 60 to 65 degrees. They are part of most of the zooms provided in the Kit, so these focal lengths will not be completely unknown to you unless you are a fan of fixed optics and do not have them?
? Super wide angle: They include focal lengths between 17 and 28 mm and an angle of view greater than 80 degrees, due to their wide angle of view they are the most used in landscape photography.
This is perhaps the most important advice to keep in mind when using a wide angle, because with such wide viewing angles it is difficult to focus interest and easily fall into boring images, perhaps with a lot of information, but without a history, center or clear message.
The wide angle allows us to use different shots in the same scene, a very interesting effect to highlight our protagonist, and at the same time put it in context. Of course, to have a close-up, it is necessary and advisable to get closer than usual, because the focal length does not bring things closer, but quite the opposite; He pushes them. As you can see, this is not a target for cowards?
Therefore, it is not only a landscape objective, but also a journalistic objective, street photography, documentary or artistic photography, among other styles.
It is especially important that you take care of the composition when working with wide-angle lenses because the success of the image depends in large part on the interest of the image, and this, beyond the theme, is achieved thanks to the promotion of a good composition that highlights the focus.
The lines are a very interesting compositional element in photography, but even more so in photographs taken on a wide angle since in this case its power is accentuated, the inclusion of lines in the compositions with this type of lenses accentuates leaks and convergent lines, directs the gaze and gives the image great visual power and dynamism.
Keep in mind this effect of distorting vertical lines every time you shoot with wide angle, sometimes you may want to improve them, and sometimes not, forcing you to change the composition, work on post-processing, etc.
They are not only known as the best landscape optics for their open angle, but also for their great depth of field. Combining this lens type with Sweet Spot and Hyperfocal will give you unmatched sharpness and depth of field.
Anything wonderful on a wide angle due to its wide field of view is also dangerous if you don’t control what you want to appear in the frame, or just don’t consider it. Before shooting, make sure that all the items in your image are the ones you want to appear, and what you’re not interested in, try removing it from your frame.
It is no coincidence that many interior photos are taken from a wide angle, this type of lens accentuates the feeling of space and space, so it can be very useful when photographing interiors. These are also usually lightweight lenses, so you can work with them at relatively low ISO and at a good speed (always depending, of course, on the amount of light available inside you want to photograph).
Due to the angle of the lens, its use with filters tends to produce adverse effects on the image, especially on the edges of the image, the most common of which is the vignette. Special care should be taken with polarizing filters, as they generate very unreal and heterogeneous blue tones in the image.
It won’t be a formal or classic portrait you make with a wide angle, but you can make original and creative portraits thanks to the distortion that the lens creates. The shapes closest to the target will seem too large and the farthest. too small and distant.
We’ve already made some progress throughout the article, but we’ll look at some of the most common apps related to these goals.
It’s not an easy-to-get, easy-to-use goal, but if you put some desire, determination, practice with it and apply any of the above tips, are you sure it will become one of your must-haves?
Mario Recommendation: The Tokina 11-16 mm is a very good wide angle option at a really hard price to beat. On Amazon, you have it for Nikon, Sony and Canon.
And as always, if you liked it, you’ve found it useful and you think someone else can find it useful, share it on Facebook, Google or Twitter. Thanks a lot?