Focal Length and Perspective

The lost art of perspective change

Focal length has a big effect on a very visual look—perspective. However, the ability to change perspective in a photo has become somewhat of a lost art. The culprit is the zoom lens. Most photographers today will find a spot they like then zoom the lens in and out to get the shot. There is nothing wrong with that—in fact that will help you refine your composition. However, that does not change perspective. Perspective change comes only when you move your position relative to the subject and choose a focal length appropriate to that distance.

Image

Poring Over the Picture

This beach near ...

Get Choosing the Right Lens for Nature and Landscape Photography now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.