Every photographer, albeit amateur or expert, hopes to take clear, interesting and memorable photographs. While the skills he or she has matter, the tools used in the photography session also determine the quality of the photos taken.
A wide-angle lens camera is a great tool to use for high quality, realistic and memorable photographs. But what is it and what are the benefits of using it? What tips can photographers use to improve their photography skills as well as the photos taken?
A wide angle lens is one with a shorter focal length but a wide or ultra-wide field of view. This allows the camera to take in most of the scene without necessarily moving around, an important trait for some forms of photography such as architectural photography.
In essence, wide-angle zoom lenses allow the photographer to include as many details of the scene and background as possible which makes the resulting photos as realistic as possible.
The benefits of a wide angle lens over a fixed focal lens camera
One of the reasons cameras with a wide angle lens are popular is their ability to capture more details in the background and foreground of the photo.
Therefore, as opposed to a normal lens that will just capture the object of interest, the photograph incorporates the background. This changes the whole photo, providing details about the circumstances, the perspective, the scenery, and many other details. Photographs taken with such cameras tell a story without necessarily interpreting them.
With the wide-angle zoom camera, you can take photographs of things that are either near you or far in the background. The lens allows you to zoom in things that are far away without losing clarity of the background. This is especially desirable for landscape photography and cannot be achieved with lenses that have a longer focal length. During travel, it is great for capturing memorable moments.
The camera also makes it easier for the photographer to take the photo. You don’t have to take the photo from a specific distance or angle in order to capture as many details as possible. However, this does not eliminate the need for photography skills and experience in order to take great photos.
Perfect reflections on reflective surfaces and extreme perspectives can naturally enhance the beauty of the photo. The extreme perspective is where things that are nearer to the camera look bigger while those faraway look smaller. The details can easily be captured by the wide lens without strain.
Wide lens photography is perfect for group photographs as it ensures everyone is captured and that the background is also captured. It means that the group does not have to hire a professional photographer to capture different moments and scenes since the camera does not need special manipulations to capture the entire group. Therefore, if you are traveling in a group, ensure you get your wide-angle zoom camera lens.
In most cases, the gear used for wide lens photography is not only light but also smaller. This makes it ideal for travel especially when you have a lot of luggage or traveling with children and other equipment. Photographers who work over a wide geographical area appreciate the need for light and portable gear.
A wide lens zoom camera allows you to comfortably take photos from a static point for example in a moving vehicle. It is also easy to capture subjects that may actually be on move such as animals or people. This is excellent for situations where you come across a great scenery while in a vehicle, train or even in the plane.
Given the wide variety of lenses available in the market, it has become easier to get a wide angle zoom lens that is compatible with your camera. The wide lenses are also available in digital cameras making it possible to take better photos without necessarily carrying bulky cameras around.
Travel photography tips
Understanding how to use your wide angle lens effectively is extremely important. The extreme perspective mentioned earlier may present some distortions in the photos especially towards the edges.
As such, you need to understand what you can do to minimize the distortion such as taking the photos from a safe distance to prevent distortion and ensuring that you maintain the camera straight as you take the photos.
You also need to have a primary focus for the photo which can be a building, an animal, a specific plant or tree or even a person. Without a primary target, excellence is hard to achieve. You should also stand as close to the target as possible.
Getting close to the target ensures that you can take the photo from different perspectives and achieve completely different photographs. This is important for photographs that will be used for storytelling purposes, in presentations and advertising or marketing.
As with other cameras, you require proper lighting in order to capture excellent photos. If possible, you can capture the scenes and subjects during the day.
However, since sometimes you may be traveling during the night and come across scenic areas, you can incorporate lighting if the areas do not have adequate lighting for great photos. You may even improvise and use torches or other lighting objects in the absence of professional lighting equipment.
Taking Care Of The Lens
All gear requires to be taken care of in order to serve the intended useful life or for an extended period of time. Ensuring that you purchase the right storage bags for the lenses and the camera is great as it minimizes the chances of damage during transit.
In addition to this, you should clean the camera with the appropriate solution and cloth often to prevent accumulation of dust and other particles that can damage it. Also ensure that the camera is only handled by people who understand how to use it, store it and clean it in order to prevent damage.
After you acquire the wide lens zoom. You will need to practice in order to get used to taking great photos. By studying the lens properties, you will be able to determine how you can optimize its use in order to get the most out of it. Remember to practice on stationary objects first before you graduate to moving targets and master both since they are important for travel photography.