Concepts of Composition : Perspective & Lenses

[Preacherman]

The closer the viewpoint is to the subject, the larger it will appear in relation to more distant objects.The RELATIVE SIZE of an object gives us a clue to the representation of depth when there are no receding lines. In this picture, the telephoto lens (150mm) is flattening the perspective and bringing the foreground and background closer together, collapsing perspective and making objects look closer together than they actually are, i.e. the bush and the farmhouse.



This is the same shot from the same viewpoint but with a 50 mm lens making the bush appear much bigger than it actually is and includes a great deal of background emphasising perspective effects.


However, keeping the subject (the bush) the same size (or very nearly, as I was on a hillside behind my house covered in snow and slipping around like a lunatic) by moving the camera DIFFERENTIATES the relationship between the subject and background.
This is from a great distance at 150 mm.


This is from much closer but trying to keep the bush the same size at 50mm.


"What you see in the photograph isn't what you saw at the time. The real skill of photography is organised visual lying". Terence Donovan (Photographer)

[pjflan7]

Great job in putting the theory into pictures.....Everybody really needs to get out and do these types of evercises........kind of like practicing scales in piano.......the accomplished musicians still do these.......we need to do our photography scales to get back in touch with the fundamentals.

[Heaterguy]

Preacherman, you are a natural teacher.

[DRs]

Now that is synergy. Thanks for sharing this to us Paul.

[Tenzin'sMom]

Okay, Paul, I'm a little confused -- perhaps because it's early morning here and I haven't had enough coffee yet! There are some pretty dramatic differences here, and I'd like to figure this out because I've often taken photos where the objects in the foreground seem to me to be the "wrong" size. So with a longer lens, the foreground and background appear closer together, right? I guess I'm wondering which of these photos is closest to what you actually saw. For me, the 3rd is the most pleasing to look at, but I know your point on these threads is not to take a pleasing photo but to get some composition principles figured out. Hmmm. This one may take me a little more time to grasp.

And by the way, the view from your backyard is wonderful, and I really appreciate you slipping around in the snow in order to share these with us. But be careful out there, okay?

[SoxAddict]

An awesome tutorial for today Paul! This puts the theory into fantastic so nicely and clearly for anyone who hasn't ever considered these facts, & even for those who just enjoy the reminder! Love the scenery too.

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by pjflan7

Great job in putting the theory into pictures.....Everybody really needs to get out and do these types of evercises........kind of like practicing scales in piano.......the accomplished musicians still do these.......we need to do our photography scales to get back in touch with the fundamentals.

I find going out and performing the task is not only fun Patrick, but aids the memory, which, when it gets as old as mine, helps! Thanks mate. PAUL

Originally Posted by Heaterguy

Preacherman, you are a natural teacher.

That was what I did HG before retiring. Enjoying it much more now though. Thanks for the positive encouragement. PAUL

Originally Posted by DRs

Now that is synergy. Thanks for sharing this to us Paul.

My pleasure Drs. Stick with me. I need you. PAUL

Originally Posted by SoxAddict

An awesome tutorial for today Paul! This puts the theory into fantastic so nicely and clearly for anyone who hasn't ever considered these facts, & even for those who just enjoy the reminder! Love the scenery too.

Thanks Nicky. It never does any harm to re-visit old principles. And boy, am I having fun. PAUL

Originally Posted by Tenzin'sMom

Okay, Paul, I'm a little confused -- perhaps because it's early morning here and I haven't had enough coffee yet! There are some pretty dramatic differences here, and I'd like to figure this out because I've often taken photos where the objects in the foreground seem to me to be the "wrong" size. So with a longer lens, the foreground and background appear closer together, right? I guess I'm wondering which of these photos is closest to what you actually saw. For me, the 3rd is the most pleasing to look at, but I know your point on these threads is not to take a pleasing photo but to get some composition principles figured out. Hmmm. This one may take me a little more time to grasp.

And by the way, the view from your backyard is wonderful, and I really appreciate you slipping around in the snow in order to share these with us. But be careful out there, okay?

Helen, will write to you. Watch out on your mail. PAUL

[jofrost]

Paul ,

Great tutorial . I like the 2nd and 4th photos best . Forgive me if I misinterpret , but was this with two different lenses , or just different focal lengths of the same lens )

-John ( still learning )

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by jofrost

Paul ,

Great tutorial . I like the 2nd and 4th photos best . Forgive me if I misinterpret , but was this with two different lenses , or just different focal lengths of the same lens )

-John ( still learning )

Two different lenses John, but it is the difference in focal length that is the important issue here. Thanks for taking a look. I am working through a book on "Perspectives" and trying to share it section by section with everyone. I will continue for as long as I can. PAUL

[jofrost]

Originally Posted by Preacherman

Two different lenses John, but it is the difference in focal length that is the important issue here. Thanks for taking a look. I am working through a book on "Perspectives" and trying to share it section by section with everyone. I will continue for as long as I can. PAUL

Amazing how a simple lens swap can really change things ( or focal length ) Looking forward to the next "section"

-John