What do wide angle lens do

In a standard dialogue scene, a wide lens is the difference between the audience feeling like they are listening to conversation versus being in the conversation. One of the biggest proponents of using a wide lens to shoot dialogue is cinematographer Roger Deakins. Take a look at how he completely changes the feeling of this interview simply by changing the lens.

Normal lenses or telephoto lenses create a somewhat objective perspective that makes the audience feel like an observer. A wide lens, on the other hand, used in close proximity to a subject makes the audience feel like they are in the middle of the action. The result is a more immersive film. What is a wide angle lens used for in action films? Let's go back to Deakins as he explains how he used a wide lens to create a more subjective experience in Wide lenses do a great job at putting the audience in the middle of the action.

Establishing this subjective perspective for the audience is a way to make any scene more immersive. Another great way to do this with a wide lens is through the use of camera movement. With a wide lens, camera movement is amplified whether it be a fast dolly shot or a slow push in. By combining a wide lens with forward camera movement, the Coen Brothers are able to give the audience the physical sensation of movement.

Camera movement can often play a very important role in how a shot or a scene feels. Using a wide lens is a great way to emphasize those movements to create a more dynamic and engaging shot. A wide lens can be used in combination with various camera movement techniques to create different effects.

Understanding these techniques will help any filmmaker find the best way to tell their story. Here's another episode from our Filmmaking Techniques Masterclass dedicated to moving the camera. Wide lenses are a great tool in any filmmakers toolkit. While there are obvious visual reasons to use a wide lens, the psychological effects shouldn't be ignored. Whether you want to create a more immersive experience for the audience, show off the production design, or give your actors space in the frame to perform with their whole bodies, a wide lens has many uses that can level up your filmmaking.

Although there are many benefits to the wide lens, there are many other lenses to choose from. Up next, we'll look at the telephoto lens and scenarios in which they might be the perfect lens to capture the perfect shot. It is only when you understand all the options available that you're able to make the best choices to enhance your visual storytelling.

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows. Previous Post. Next Post. A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? Skip to content. Watch: Ultimate Guide to Camera Lenses. Subscribe on YouTube. What is a wide angle lens used for in film? Accentuating camera movement Establishing a more subjective point of view To create a larger frame for characters and settings.

Free downloadable bonus FREE Download Camera Lenses Explained Every type of camera lens has distinct qualities and visual characteristics that every image-maker should understand. What is a wide angle lens in photography? Telephoto lens vs wide angle lens On the complete opposite side of the spectrum of focal lengths is telephoto lens. Here are 3 specific types of photography where these types of lenses are good to use.

Wide angle lenses are by far the most popular go to lens for shooting landscapes. Most landscape subjects include a large area with several elements that you want to keep within your composition. The wide angle of view built into a wide angle lens is perfect for these types of photos.

There are two very different uses of wide angle lenses when photographing people. When your shooting large groups of people wide angle lenses enable you to fit everybody into the frame.

Secondly, wide angle lenses give you the ability to exaggerate distort in a creative way specific aspects of your subject. Real estate and architectural photographers need wide angle lenses to photograph both small rooms inside buildings and shoot large exterior photos of buildings outside.

In addition to the 3 types of photography that lend themselves well to using a wide angle lens, there are two creative reasons that are perhaps even more important for you to know about.

Distortion from using a wide angle lens comes in 2 forms, the good and the bad. Cheaper wide angle lenses can produce bad lens distortion called like barrel distortion. We'll discuss barrel distortion in a minute. First let's look out how you can use wide angle lens distortion to your advantage. Wider lenses can give you an exaggerated perspective. This is really a great tool to get creative with. Look at the relative size of the woman's legs in the different photos of the statue on the park bench.

Here's another example of using a wide angle lens to emphasize a specific part of your subject. In this case look how big the puppy's head appears. Perhaps this is a bit of a strange look, but with a subject this cute, it's hard to criticize the shot. A super wide angle lens positioned close to his head created this adorable perspective of this 8 week old beagle. One of the questions that oftens comes up when people are learning about wide angle lenses is if a wide angle lens will distort the picture.

Lens manufacturers do their best to minimize the distortions, but there are sometimes significant distortions, depending on several factors. Distortions like these are much more prevalent in cheaper, zooming wide angle lenses than they are with professional prime wide angle lenses.

Telephoto lenses can often have the opposite distortion, called pincushion distortion where the lines curve outwards.

A great benefit to using a wide angle lens is the range of close and far objects that stay in sharp focus. You probably already know that is referred to as depth of field. Wide angle lenses enhance your ability to get deep depth of field. In this photo of the peach orchard I had my lens zoomed out to 24mm, its widest setting. That, plus a small aperture gave me a super deep depth of field to make everything close and far away in sharp focus.

In the wedding photo, the bride and groom are much closer to the camera than the ring bearer and flower girl at the opposite end of this pose. Everyone is in sharp focus because a wide angle lens setting was used. Here's a quick look at 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of using a wide angle lens on your camera. Some bloggers feel that wide angle lenses are the toughest to learn how to use properly.

I'm not so sure, but to help you out, here are 4 mistakes to avoid a 3 tips to succeed with a wide angle lens. See how simple, yet graphic, the images below are?

Little point and shoot cameras usually have fairly wide lenses and the people using them get right in your face to take your photo. Sound familiar? This is generally not a good look for most people. If you want to photograph a person and flatter them, simply do not use a wide angle lens, period. You just need to understand the effect it will produce and use is wisely. Use a wide lens to take photos of people that show their environment think the shop keeper in the example above , add a sense of fun or even humour, or tell a story.

But know it will likely not be flattering to the subject. If your intent is to flatter them and make a nice portrait — chose a slightly longer than normal lens in the short telephoto range mm full frame, mm APS-C. If you want to learn more about taking portraits you can check out our online portrait photography class here.

Kids are another subject that you can use a wide angle on and have some fun with. Let them explore and get close to the lens. It will adds a sense of playfulness and fun to your images. The resulting images tend to reflect that lack of vision. Can you relate? Be more intentional when you photograph. Choose your lens based on the feeling or effect you want to add to your image.

Consciously look for subjects that will look great shot with a wide lens, and follow the tips above. A wide angle lens is like any tool or gadget. You will have more success using it if you do so sparingly, and when appropriate. Now get out there and have some fun with it.

Being a good photographer, and being able to teach and explain things so others can understand are two different things. Andrew is good at both!

Why do some lenses cost so much and others so little? Should you buy a wide angle lens or a prime? Is that fisheye lens as good a deal as it seems? Mastering Lenses is a page, 38, word book about creating beautiful photos with any lens.

Inside the book there are pages covering many different compositional elements. He shows how to use them effectively and provides excellent image examples. Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course , and private tutoring lessons.

To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course. Or get both, no charge!

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