Caution: Objects In The Scene Are Smaller Than They Appear.
Getting up close and personal with a wide-angle lens is a great way to play with perspective in a photograph. Placing the camera close to your foreground element, in the case of the image above, the “giant” boulder made nice foreground element.
In reality, that “giant” boulder in the foreground is only slightly larger than a soccer ball. Setting up my tripod in the water so the camera was only about 12″ (30cm) from the rock rendered it quite large in the frame.
All Squished Together.
Another way to manipulate perspective is to use a telephoto lens to compress the scene. Using my 70-200mm lens I was able to create the illusion that the mountain ridges in the above image are much closer together than they are.
Line And Layers.
Another benefit of using Ā a telephoto lens in landscape photography is the ability to isolate a small part of the wider view. The result you’re left with in an image that focuses more on shape and line than the grand scenic views. Though the below image does a bit of both š
The middle one’s my favourite but I don’t have the skillset (or the camera) to do this š
Thanks! The biggest “skill” you need is being there. Mother Nature does all the hard work, I’m just there to point my camera at it.
What a great comment! And the images are outstanding, Jeff.
Thanks yet again Dina.
You chose some excellent examples to illustrate your point Jeff! Love the caution tag line!
Thanks David. I do try to come up with something with a little wit now and then š
Good job Jeff, as always. Love the colors in your first shot!
Thanks Tina. As I mentioned to Valentina, it took almost 5 years of trying to get this shot. It almost didn’t happen too. I was ready to crawl back into bed after letting the dog out. That is until I caught a glimpse of the sky to the east over the lake. Grabbed my camera and tripod and practically ran to the waters edge.
Love the shots! I’ve been experimenting with my wide angle as well. Fun stuff!
Thanks Laura, it is fun isn’t it. I like to play around with how close I get to my foreground to see what I can come up with.
I was at the beach today but I wasn’t close enough. But that’s how one learns I suppose…guess I’ll have to plan another trip to the beach soon!
The beach sure isn’t going anywhere š
ha! No, it isn’t. hopefully!
The top sunset is gorgeous.
Thanks you Valentina. It took me almost 4 years to get this shot. I knew this was the composition I wanted, but it took that long to get the sky and reflection I wanted. Good thing this is a five minute walk from my door. š
You are very lucky Jeff to have such a beauty outside your door.
I won’t argue with you there š
Great shots, Jeff. I really like the sunset one!
Thanks Stefano, there really is nothing like a good sunrise or sunset.
Well done…
Thanks!
Beautiful images which show your experience as a talented photographer.
Thank you very much Colline. That’s very kind of you to say.
brilliant….!
Thank you!
Beautiful work. I like your comment to restlessjo that echoes other photographers who say, basically, get out of the way of your camera.
Thanks Emilio. That’s pretty much my approach to photography. In my opinion, the biggest hurdle for people top overcome in wanting to be better photographers is simply is their willingness to be there. The camera itself is just a tool. But if you’re not willing to forego sleep, or return to a location over and over until you’ve captured it the way you envision, your images will never be as good as they could be.
The success of my landscape photographs is 20% camera-artstic-post processing skill, and 80% my willingness to be on the trail at 2 a.m. or on the seacoast when it’s -10Ā°F.
The first answer I give when people ask, “how can I take pictures like yours?” is to by an alarm clock and use it!
Thank you. Now I have to go out and buy a new alarm clock!
Your photography will thank you for it š
Great post. Liked the mountain scape ( Line & Layer) .
Thank you Shivani.
Gorgeous…all of them but I am completely amazed by the last one! Those colours and the colours in between….magical…
Thanks Ese. Views and colors like this are why I was on the trail at 2 a.m. in order to be here to capture it.
That is just beautiful!
Thanks a lot Jeff.
wow…. what a world we live in. thanks for your perspective on it.
It really is an amazing place, and I’m doing my best to showcase my little corner of it.
I like the shape, lines and the colour too! š