Wide angle photos. #4

A wide angle lens is a device that has a shorter focal length than a normal lens. Such devices cover a much larger angle of space than is accessible to the human eye. Due to the fact that the frame does not exceed the usual size, all objects that appear in it will be smaller than when shooting with a traditional lens. In terms of expressiveness and optics wide angle lens allows you to get a noticeably more interesting result, since with its help, when shooting, the effect of removing plans from each other is much more noticeable. Such devices are characterized by a greater depth of field than standard models.

Peculiarities

A wide-angle lens is characterized by such main features as a wide angle of view, as well as a smaller minimum focusing distance. The main characteristics cannot be called unique. This category of lenses also includes ultra wide-angle lenses. This type does not have any restrictions, but photographers usually refer to it those devices for which the focal length is below 24 millimeters. Due to certain specific properties of this category of devices, shooting with them has whole line features. Perspective distortion is considered one of them, that is, objects that are closest appear much larger than those located in the background. This effect will be maximized if you get close to the main subject, while including the one in the foreground in the picture. This distortion is especially appreciated when shooting landscapes, which allows you to give the scene extra volume. But because of this feature, you can’t take pictures of people, since the proportions of the body and head will be significantly distorted.

Usage

A wide-angle lens is useful for shooting architectural objects, but it is important to remember one detail. It is impossible to allow the axis to tilt relative to the horizon, otherwise, due to a large number vertical lines will noticeably distort the space. The so-called effect of falling buildings will be obtained in the picture. Often, professionals use this technique as an additional technique to get an interesting shot. Architectural structures should be photographed using a special type of lens that can change the optical axis by tilting or shifting, which makes it possible to correct the perspective distortion. For example, a Nikon wide-angle lens is able to cope with such a task with high quality. Such devices are almost indispensable for shooting in limited enclosed spaces, since the photographer will not be able to step back to properly capture the scene.

The wide-angle lens for Canon has the following design features and technical capabilities, which make it vulnerable to glare and extraneous light. Because of this, you have to use a protective hood when shooting, which protects the front lens from sunlight, and also reduces the likelihood of glare in the picture.

It would seem that everything is simple and clear with wide-angle lenses - more objects in the frame, the ability to shoot nature and city streets, and much more. However, even they can be used incorrectly.

Often beginners in photography purchase a quality wide-angle lens (most often on someone else's advice), a 50mm lens, and a zoom lens in the hope that with such an assortment of lenses they will cover all bases. In principle, this is true, but it is always worth considering that even the most extensive collection of accessories and cameras does not guarantee that the pictures will be successful. That's why we're going to talk about the five most common mistakes beginners make when shooting with a wide-angle lens.

So, first you need to understand what exactly a wide-angle does. Its main function is to expand the space in the frame. That is, it distorts space, thereby deepening the perspective. That is, what is closer to the camera will look significantly larger than what is further away, even if the objects in reality are the same size.

Another result of using a wide angle lens is the curvature of straight lines. That is, all the buildings, if they are removed from below, will, as it were, converge into a circle at the top.

These functions in the hands of a good photographer will help the photo to take on more deep meaning, because the wide angle of the lens allows you to create a sense of immersion - the viewer sees himself as part of the image.

What is the correct way to use a wide-angle lens?

The main thing is to know when and how to apply the lens in order to create an attractive image and delight the viewer. A The best way figure out how to do it right - consider the most common mistakes.

Everything in the image is at the same distance from the lens

Once again, carefully re-read the paragraph about what results a wide-angle gives. Perspective distortion and stretching. Therefore, to get the desired effect, the main subject or the center of the composition must be closer to the lens. Much closer!

The most impressive photos taken with a wide-angle lens are those in which the subject is a few inches away from the camera.

Below are two examples of photographs taken of the same object - a bicycle. In the photo on the left, nothing particularly stands out from the frame, so the photo practically does not carry any meaning and the essence of the image is not fully understood.

The second photo - on the right, on the contrary, highlights the bike, that is, it is closer to the camera and the picture is taken from it in perspective. Bokeh appears, and more highlighted, contrasting space.

Of course, from the outside you can look very suspicious, but anonymity and stealth are rather enemies when shooting with a wide-angle lens.

In order to make the shot more interesting, it needs to add depth and perspective, and for this you need to get closer to the subject. That is, the center of the composition should be closer, the secondary element - a little further away, and the farthest - the background. Thanks to this approach, a multi-layered picture is created, you want to look at it longer, consider and explore what is happening in the frame.

The absence of the main character (or subject)

This error goes hand in hand with the previous one. When all objects are at the same distance from the camera, everything looks equally small and insignificant (or everything looks equally large, but this, in turn, nullifies the significance).

For example, two photos below. In the first photo, only the depth of field plays a role, so the picture is built solely on the texture of the wood and metal that are in focus. However, the image is missing something.

And this is what the image looks like when you focus on a leaf that grows through the boards. In the photograph, light immediately begins to play, the center of the composition shifts to the leaf, which also stands out in color and interacts with the sun shining from above.

It is also worth noting here that sometimes it is better not to cling to the initial idea of the frame, but to adapt to the conditions and right on the spot, with a camera in hand, look for the most good options. They are known to appear in the most unexpected places.

Remember that even professionals do not shoot masterpieces the first time.

On the contrary, first a frame is taken, then it is carefully evaluated, and then a decision is made whether it is worth leaving it, or is it better to change something. The composition is based not only on strict rules but also on intuition and instincts. They are worth working with.

Trying to fit too much detail into the frame

Less is more, a rule that works great in photography and fits even better with a wide-angle lens. This mistake is perhaps the most common, because it directly follows from the primary function of the wide angle.

For example, while traveling, you are walking through an open street market and you decide to capture a vendor with a variety of fruits and vegetables laid out in front of him. Of course, the first thing to do is ask permission to shoot. Well, then the responsibility lies with the photographer. Immediately it is worth remembering the rules that are listed above - choose one main object, secondary elements and a background. If there is too much going on in the frame, the viewer will be distracted from the main idea.

So never be afraid to simplify the essence of photography.

You can always say more with fewer details.

Pictures of people from bad angles

Remember the dealer we just asked for permission to shoot? What you definitely shouldn't do is stick the camera right in his face. The result will definitely not please anyone.

A very common mistake is shooting portraits with a wide angle lens. Since one of the main functions of width, as we have already said, is distortion, photographs of people are very unattractive - a long and disproportionate nose, an elongated head, large cheeks - not at all the photo that you put in a frame. So, if you want to shoot flattering portraits, forget about the wide-angle lens and choose from our selection of the best portrait lenses.

It is very important to remember that each glass has its own functions and is suitable for certain genres. Wide angle is good for landscapes and nature, not for artistic or psychological portraits.

However, this does not mean that portrait photographs You can't take wide angle shots at all. If your goal is a funny or humorous shot, a wide angle can, on the contrary, play into your hands. Like the photo below:

Sometimes a wide angle works well in reportage photography:

Wide angle shots just for the sake of shooting

Photography is, of course, first and foremost a process. But any process must serve some purpose. That is why you should not shoot with a wide-angle lens just like that. Choose subjects that, in terms of meaning and setting, require the kind of effects that can be achieved with a wide angle. Lead the viewer to the compositional center of the image, deliberately distort the size of the subject to indicate its importance, curve the lines to create an immersive effect.

And most importantly - try not to make the above mistakes and shoot, shoot, shoot!

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of working with wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. Typical techniques when shooting with such lenses. Causes of distortions of perspective and proportions. methods of dealing with them.

Definitions

Angle of view- simply put, this is the angle that the lens "sees" along the diagonal of the frame. The value of this angle is directly proportional to the size of the matrix (film).

Classification of photographic lenses by angle of view

As can be seen from the table, the type of lens depends on the diagonal of the frame. For example, let's take a lens with a focal length of 50 mm: on a medium format camera it will turn out to be a wide-angle lens, on a full-frame camera it will be normal, and in a 4/3 system it will be a telephoto lens.

Features of the Wide Angle Lens

Consider a picture of a very popular Canon EF 17-40 / 4L lens.
At full frame, his field of view ranges from 104° to 57°30".
However, no one photographs a group diagonally, right? Therefore, consider the horizontal field of view angle - from 84 ° to 49 °

This example clearly shows that the lens at the 17mm position at full frame results in noticeable aspect ratio distortion.
To be precise, the image in this example at the edge of the frame is 26% wider than the image at the center of the frame. And this is already a very noticeable deformation to the eye.
The reason for this deformation is the length of the heads in depth. If we were photographing flat objects, such as an infinite brick wall, then all the bricks that are in the center of the frame, that at the edges of the frame would occupy the same number of pixels on the matrix. They are reduced due to the fact that they are visible under acute angle, however, this decrease is compensated by stretching the lens. This is the property of "flat" (not fish gas) lenses - they stretch the corners of the image.

However, human vision has such a property - distortions of linear dimensions of less than 10% are not noticeable to the eye. This 10% facial stretch occurs at a 55° field of view (34mm on full frame and 22mm on APS-C)
From here, by the way, the reason for the popularity of 35 mm lenses in the street-photo genre becomes clear. This is the minimum focal length at which geometric distortions are not yet striking.

However, in addition to the stretching of the faces, another problem arises - if the central people in the group look straight ahead (perpendicular to the wall), then the people located at the edges of the group are already forced to turn their heads almost 45 ° to look into the camera. This turn of the heads can no longer be compensated for either by changing the projection or by deformation in Photoshop.

Photo examples

Photographs taken with Canon EF 17-40/4L and Canon EF 24-105/4L IS lenses on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mk2 (full frame).

17 mm		The distortion at the edges of the frame is obvious. The customer will be completely dissatisfied.
20 mm		The distortion at the edges of the frame is obvious. The customer will be dissatisfied.
24 mm		Distortion at the edges of the frame is noticeable. Men will most likely not notice, and girls will complain that the photo makes them fat.
35 mm		If you place men along the edges of the frame, then the frame will completely roll.
50 mm		Things are good.
70 mm		Things are good.
105 mm		Everything is fine, but the photographer was forced to run away from the group and the contact is lost - the photographer is simply not heard over the group's conversations.

Consider, using the example of one frame, the permissible location of the model in the photo:

Here the head of the model is located in a safe area and is not strongly deformed, and the legs flew out of the safe area and began to appear much longer. What girls like.

conclusions

Try not to photograph groups of people shorter than 35mm for full frame or 22mm for APS-C cameras.
If it becomes necessary to photograph a group with a wider-angle lens, place people as close to the center of the frame as possible (so as not to fly out of the 63 ° angle)
Try not to place girls and particularly fastidious customers at the edges of the frame. Men are noticeably calmer towards horizontally elongated faces.
If you are photographing a group standing in several rows, try to hold down the aperture as much as possible on the lens - group photos are often printed in large sizes and the depth of field may not be enough.
If space allows, try to photograph the group at a focal length of 50 mm for a full frame (30…35 mm for APS-C) - in this case, even the most fastidious will not be able to see the stretching of faces at the edges of the frame. Longer lenses should not be used - you will have to run very far and the group simply will not hear you.
When photographing even a single person, try to position their head within the frame of a 35 mm (22 mm for APS-C) lens focal length. For example, when shooting with a 16-35 / 2.8 lens - build a frame, turn the zoom to 35 mm and see if the head flies out of the frame. If it does not crash, then the picture should turn out without noticeable distortion of the face.

current location:

The world does not stand still, every day something new, incomprehensible, but necessary is created. Therefore, you have to learn to understand technical innovations.

If we are talking When it comes to camera lenses, Canon has long made sure that there are no limits to the study and comparison of their equipment.

Choosing a wide-angle lens for Canon is quite an expensive undertaking, but now we will figure out all the nuances so that you are happy with the purchase and do not regret the money spent.

For those who have a question, why do you need a wide-angle lens, we answer that they allow you to capture a wide viewing angle and as a result can produce very interesting photographs.

Wide-angle lenses are lenses whose focus distance is less than the diagonal of the film frame or sensor (angle of view from 52 to 82).

Overview of lenses

Prices are valid for 2015

Let's take a look at some of Canon's wide-angle lenses.

Canon EF 16-35 mm F 2.8 L USM II (from 79,990 rubles)

The lens that replaced the sensational first version.

It is believed that he Canon's best wide-angle lens in its class.

Dustproof and waterproof allows you to shoot in any weather. Due to the peculiar geometry of the shots, a large depth of field at an open aperture and an interesting blur of the background out of focus, he won the love of many photographers, including wedding ones. High aperture lens makes it possible to shoot in low light conditions, such as a night city without a flash.

Amazing rendering of colors and shades. Clear, error-free aiming, fast autofocus, with the ability to switch to manual at any time of shooting. Pleasant tactile sensations, due to a well-designed design. It has a small weight (635 grams), so it is convenient to carry it with you in a backpack.

The ultrasonic motor ensures quiet shooting, which does not affect the high speed of autofocus. A special lens coating protects photos from glare and glare.

Canon EF 17-40 mm F 4 L USM (from 34,999 rubles)

An ultra wide-angle lens that is not far behind the class leader. It does not lend itself to it in terms of speed and accuracy of autofocus, it has a large zoom range. Ultrasonic drive. Counts the best representative class in price/quality ratio. Optimal aperture (aperture 4.0). High image sharpness.

Ultra-low dispersion glass reduces the sharpness of out-of-focus backgrounds for a more natural look. Covers exactly the range needed for everyday shooting.

You will learn why lens distortion occurs when photographing with wide-angle lenses from ours.

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Canon EF-S 17-55 mm F 2.8 IS USM (from 41,240 rubles)

Wide angle EF-S series. Great for everyday shooting. This lens model, in terms of its characteristics and the quality of the resulting images, is almost on par with its professional relatives - the Elks.

Of the advantages, it should be especially noted the presence of a stabilizer that copes well with blur in fast shooting conditions. Again, due to the stabilizer, there are no problems when working indoors, even without a flash. Pictures are crisp and clear.

Virtually no need for technical post-processing of photos. Also, like the representatives of the L series, the glass has a special coating that allows you to deal with glare. Nimble in terms of zoom speed.

Ultrasonic motor, ultra-fast autofocus, with the ability to switch to manual mode. Its weight (645 grams) is considered by many photographers as a virtue, because it shakes less in the hands.

Canon EF 35 mm F 2 (25,990 rubles)

Wide angle fixed lens. Convenient compact design, light weight, only 210 grams. However, the lens very durable, made qualitatively. Great option for beginners and amateur photographers. Ease of use when shooting, lack of unnecessary bells and whistles make this lens attractive in the eyes of those who are just learning how to take the right pictures. The model combines an affordable price and good quality images.

Sufficient aperture allows you to take pictures indoors and outdoors, and the coverage angle is also pleasing. Among the models of its series, it has the fastest autofocus speed. The shortest focusing distance is 24 cm. Also, among the pluses is a built-in image stabilizer.

High image sharpness, good contrast. Ideal for versatile use, you can shoot close-ups, reportage shots and more. Convenient to carry. This little one will fit anywhere.

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Canon EF 28 mm F 2.8 (from 34,290 rubles)

Classic wide-angle prime lens, the main advantages of which are compactness and low price. Despite the price, it's very well made.

If you are a beginner or an amateur, then you should consider this option, because the resulting images will be of excellent quality and at a reasonable price. The model is very light (185 grams) and small, so you can carry it with you absolutely everywhere, take it on trips and travels.

High resolution and expressiveness of images, deep contrast, sharpness, reproduction of colors and shades at the level. Despite its compactness, the lens provides the ability to make wide angle photos, with large ranges of values.

A small number of elements makes it affordable for a wide range of people. The ultrasonic drive works almost silently, although it is slightly inferior in this to a more expensive copy. But this can hardly be considered a disadvantage, if we recall its reasonable price and quality.

Choose the lens that suits your skills and habits. As practice shows, what is an advantage for one photographer may become a disadvantage for another.

Consider your needs and opportunities so that the purchase brings you joy and you do not have to regret the money spent. Although the latter is unlikely. Good luck choosing!

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f / 4.5-5.6 IS STM (from 17990 rubles) - an ideal camera option

The weight of the lens is small, which is what attracts many photographers. Don't hesitate to take your lens with you as they often take up a lot of space. Moreover, this camera has a common diameter size that fits almost all lenses.

The minimum focus distance is 22 cm and is calculated from the matrix of our lens, this is what allows you to create very interesting shots. After all, we see the world from a different angle, and this is reflected in your creative process.

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f / 4.5-5.6 IS STM (from 17990 rubles) - ideal for your camera

If you're into architectural photography or have your own studio, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm lens is exactly what you're looking for.

The weight of the lens is small, which is what attracts many photographers. Don't hesitate to take your lens with you as they often take up a lot of space. What's more, it has a common diameter size that fits almost all lenses.

As for noise, the lens makes very quiet sounds that can only be heard by putting your camera close to your ear. Also, the camera stabilizer helps you shoot smoothly without having to carry a tripod with you.

The minimum focus distance is 22 cm and is calculated from the matrix of our lens, this is what allows you to create very interesting shots. After all, you see the world from a different angle, and this is reflected in your creative process.

As for the image quality, it is usually sharp and high. Sometimes barrel distortion can be observed, which can be easily corrected in a photo editor. Despite its compactness, the lens has many advantages.

This article will discuss how to properly use wide-angle lenses. Some features of their work are also considered. Very often, wide-angle lenses are used for the following purposes:

When you want to expand the landscapes with a large space, for example, shooting a view of the city.
When it is desirable for a photographer to remain unnoticed when shooting on the street.

They have a diagonal of 100 degrees, and a width of 88 (of a conventional 35 mm frame).

How do wide angle lenses work? Their features

They have a large space capacity. Therefore, the objects depicted in the photograph are reduced by half. This is the difference between shooting from a regular standard lens. To put it simply, wide-angle should not be used for shooting mountain landscapes, because it greatly grinds.

It is possible to solve this problem. You should add some large objects to the frame that protrude in the foreground. It can be:

bushes;
puddles on the roads.

Thus, the effect of an active spot will be created, for which the viewer can catch his eye.

When using wide-angle lenses, optical distortion may appear in pictures. These are barrel-shaped curvatures (distortions). They appear on the periphery of the frame. But you should not argue that the quality of the photo is degraded due to this effect. Sometimes the opposite happens. The composition in the picture looks more comfortable with the help of barrel-shaped distortions. If you don't want to warp the space, then take a closer look so that there are no trees or house corners on the edges. They are strongly bent. The camera must be held exactly horizontally, because there will be blockages of verticals.

Wide-angle lenses have increased "glare". Therefore, you need to monitor the location of the sun when shooting on a sunny day. Use a hood if possible. If your equipment does not yet have it, then a small difficulty awaits you. Because of big size wide-angle (77 mm or more), it is difficult to select a lens hood and filter. If you find them, they will cost you a decent amount.

Wide-angle lenses for Canon, when combined with a short-throw lens, have specific uses. Because the sky has uneven polarization at a wide angle, a dark blue spot will appear on it. If you want to shoot a horizontal landscape with the sky, then the wide angle is not recommended for use with a polarizer. If you still want to try, then you should opt for a narrow bandage ring. They are made specifically for wide-angle lenses and do not allow blackout to get into the corner of the frame.

With such photographic lenses, the use of the built-in flash at the same time as the short throw option is ineffective. A weak flash will not be able to illuminate a huge spectrum of space and will be located close to a lens with a large diameter. Therefore, the pictures will dark spot in the shape of a semicircle. It will turn out due to the fact that the lens will cast a shadow from the flash. She enters the frame from below.

Of course, not only wide-angle lenses cast shadows, but other types as well. True, due to the smaller angle of the field of view, it does not fall into the frame.

The way out of this problem is to increase or use a remote flash.