The wide-angle lens's unique visual perspective gives you the ability to combine nearby details with far-off views in a single picture. This is what makes the wide-angle lens such an amazing tool for outdoor scenic photography. Learn how to make the most of your wide-angle lens today!
Desert Rock Frame
© Kerry Drager
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Getting Depth in Your Wide-Angle Photography is Easy
With a foreground-to-background approach, you can produce a dynamic three-dimensional effect that gives viewers a real sense of place.Unfortunately, the wide-angle's wide-ranging perspective is also what makes this focal length such a challenge. The tendency is to back up to get more into the picture, which commonly leads to either a "busy" look or to vast empty spaces.
Sunset on California Coast
© Kerry Drager
All Rights Reserved
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Move In Close to a Foreground Object
The keys to success? Think FOREGROUND and move CLOSER!Zero in very tight on an eye-catching object so it fills a good chunk of the picture frame while still retaining background features. How close should you get to your foreground object? The nearest point in my wide-angle scenics is often about an arm's length away or even closer. Incidentally, your foreground border also can help clean up a composition: by hiding a blank sky or by concealing any distracting objects.
Great Depth of Field for Great Wide-Angle Photos
In most wide-angle scenic situations, you'll want everything sharp - from front to back - since a great Depth of Field leads to a great feeling of space. Thus, for maximum sharpness, go with a very small lens opening (high f/stop number).For precise DOF, use the preview mode or program found on many SLRs, check the scale markings on the barrel of some lenses, or use a hyperfocal chart. No DOF modes, guides, or charts? Then set your focusing point just beyond the closest spot in the scene (while also setting the f/stop for a small aperture) or set your focus one-third up from the bottom of the picture frame. Finally: When working in close, even a small camera shift can mean a big compositional difference. That's why I use the "accessory photographers love to hate": a tripod!
About Author / Instructor / Photographer, Kerry Drager
The content manager and an instructor for BetterPhoto.com, Kerry Drager is also the author of Scenic Photography 101. In addition, he teaches two online photography courses at BetterPhoto: Creative Light & Composition and Creative Close-ups. Kerry's Pro BetterPholio Web site offers an assortment of galleries and illustrated how-to articles on photography. In addition, kerrydrager.com was featured in Shutterbug magazine. His work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer and other major magazines; Hallmark cards and Sierra Club Calendars; and in advertising campaigns for American Express and Sinar Bron Imaging. He is also the photographer of the photo-essay books The Golden Dream: California from Gold Rush to Statehood and California Desert, and is a contributing photographer for the books Daybreak 2000 and Portrait of California. He lives with his wife, Mary, in the country near Sacramento, California, with their six Newfoundland dogs, six cats, two horses, and a mixed terrier.
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