Long Lenses (telephoto lenses).
Telephoto lenses are often defined as those that have a focal length that extends beyond 100mm, the term is commonly used to describe any "zoom" lens that allows you to magnify the subject you are looking towards for a closer up view.
The most common subjects people choose a long lens for include:
The most common subjects people choose a long lens for include:
- Wildlife
- The Moon
- Sports
- Portraits
Foreshortening
Ideally as a photographer you would consider not just how much you can fit in the frame of your image but the perspective of your subject.
Long lenses will create foreshortening, this makes things appear closer together than they are.
Long lenses will create foreshortening, this makes things appear closer together than they are.
There are times when to enhance the look of your subject or better tell the story you want to tell you may decide to make distances within your image foreshortened.
You will notice that whenever the media wish to make a place look crowded, they will use a telephoto image of the scene- squishing and distorting the perspective to make everyone seem close together. The idea that the camera never lies has never been true; even 'straight' non edited photos can be deceptive.
A good time to use foreshortening is for a portrait image, as the foreshortening effect is often very flattering. An added bonus is that using a long lens will require you to stand back from your subjects which in turn often puts them more at ease.
You will also notice that the area in focus (the depth of field) is narrower; this makes focusing more difficult but gives a lovely soft background for your images.
You will notice that whenever the media wish to make a place look crowded, they will use a telephoto image of the scene- squishing and distorting the perspective to make everyone seem close together. The idea that the camera never lies has never been true; even 'straight' non edited photos can be deceptive.
A good time to use foreshortening is for a portrait image, as the foreshortening effect is often very flattering. An added bonus is that using a long lens will require you to stand back from your subjects which in turn often puts them more at ease.
You will also notice that the area in focus (the depth of field) is narrower; this makes focusing more difficult but gives a lovely soft background for your images.
Telephoto in summary
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When using a telephoto lens camera shake can be a problem. |
Exercises:
Why not explore how far you can zoom in / how high your focal length can go.
Get used to how much difference this makes when taking photos and how close to subjects
you need to be before being able to zoom in and see the subject in detail.
Ideally also try to show the foreshortening effect happening. Try taking some comparison photos so you can see the difference. This is tricky so don’t be hard on yourself if you struggle!
Get used to how much difference this makes when taking photos and how close to subjects
you need to be before being able to zoom in and see the subject in detail.
Ideally also try to show the foreshortening effect happening. Try taking some comparison photos so you can see the difference. This is tricky so don’t be hard on yourself if you struggle!
