In Focus: Using a wide-angle lens
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Van Kirk shot from a ladder to give a unique perspective of Daniel Steffine as he shot hoops in the driveway of his home. Van Kirk photographed Steffine for a while before finding an image she liked.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Kami Meyer counts on her fingers while doing math flashcards with a family friend at their home in Eighty Four. The flashcards add an element to the image that help convey the story.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Steven Spence climbs on the monkey bars at Canonsburg Town Park. The patterns of the bars along with a unique perspective make for a interesting composition.
This is a low angle-shot with Van Kirk lying on the sand in order to focus on the shells, with the beachcombers in the background.
Celeste Van Kirk/ O-R
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
A volunteer, Scott Rice of Cranberry, removes trash from Catfish Creek during River Sweep. Including the tire, clothing and bike illustrates the story without the use of words.
One of my favorite lenses to use is a wide-angle lens, 17 to 35 mm, a short, focal-length lens that has a wide field of view. Any lens smaller than a 35 mm is considered wide-angle.
Keep in mind that a wide-angle lens captures more of the scene, so make sure there is an interesting object in the foreground. For example, in the beach photo, the focus is on the seashells. Notice the beachcombers and waves in the background are soft and slightly out of focus. This is a photography technique know as “Bokeh.” This can be achieved by a wide aperture started with f/2.8.
Adjust the aperture/f-stop until you reach a desired effect that is pleasing to the eye. This technique makes for a more dynamic image. It also adds dimension to help convey a story, feeling and atmosphere.
A wide-angle lens gives you the ability to get very close to the subject without excluding imported elements from the background. The photographer can explore a variety of angles and perspectives, providing endless possibilities.
Here are a few tips for photographing with a wide-angle lens:
- Emphasize on the foreground with a dominant subject in the image.
- Get as close and intimate with the subject as possible.
- Explore angles. Shoot high and low.
- Enjoy the experience and, most of all, have fun.