One thing I see beginners make mistakes doing when they first get into photography is using a wide-angle lens. Many think it’s just for getting more stuff to fit into your image, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
Here are three videos to help you understand wide-angle lenses and use them better so you can create more dynamic and effective images.
#1 – 5 Reasons you need a wide-angle lens
First up is this video from DigitalRev TV. It’s a few years old now but the information is still good, and the tips are solid.
Kai can be a bit unorthodox, but the tips here are good. Here’s a quick summary:
- Get closer
- Push things away and pull other things near
- Cool lines
- Expand spaces
- Reality distortion field (as he calls it)
#2 – How to use a wide-angle lens
In this video from Tom Greenwood, learn how using a wide-angle lens can help you tell a story and create a powerful connection between the subject and the viewer. Plus get tips on shooting wide angle portraits, action shots, and landscapes.
#3 – Three tips for using a wide-angle lens
Finally, three more tips for using a wide-angle lens from Matt Wallace in this video from Adorama TV. The one he emphasizes the most is to get close to the subject – that a wide-angle lens is for close-up photography. I personally could not agree more!
- Make sure you have an obvious and predominant subject in your frame
- Get closer to the subject
- Use leading lines
If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.– Robert Capa
Need more help?
If you still need more help and tips for using your wide-angle lens try these dPS articles:
- How to Use a Wide-angle Lens with Wildlife for a New Perspective
- 10 Tips for Photographing Wide-Angle Landscapes
- How to Create Compelling Wide-Angle Portraits Using One Off-Camera Flash
- 7 Ways to Get More Out of a Wide-angle Lens
