|
> Home
> About Me
Galleries:
> Water
> Snow
> Artistic
>
Portfolio
> Clients
> Links |
Whitewater Photography Tutorial #11: Wide angles.
There are a few common misconceptions about wide angle lenses. The
first, and largest, is that a wide angle lens is about getting it all
in. A rule of thumb for working with a wide angle lens reiterates this:
it's not about getting it all in, it's about getting close to your
subject. As an image says a thousand words here are some mistakes I
made; embarrassing moments that no photographer likes to show.
Devin Knight, Dinkey Creek, 2008. Trying to get it all in, and also
making the mistake of not keeping my horizon level. Always keep your
horizon level, it never looks good if you don't. Shot with the Sigma
10-20mm at 10mm (aka 14mm on a full frame) Note how it flattens out the
rapid too.
Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm @ 10mm 1/640 F4 ISO 400
Just a few weeks later, Ben Stookesberry on the same drop, almost the same exact lighting. Shot at 50mm (70mm on Full Frame).
Nikon D200, Nikkor 50mm 1.8 @ 1/800 F2.8 ISO 200
So how close to your subject? The wider the lens, the closer!
Ryan Knight, East Fork Kaweah shot at 10mm with the Sigma 10-20mm. It's worth noting I was only about 2' away.
Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm @ 10mm 1/1250 F8 ISO 200
We know by now that shooting from downstream at water level is
rarely, if ever the best angle. Wide angles also tend to stretch things
out from side to side. This means that if you are shooting from
downstream it tends to make a drop look smaller than it is: Ben
Stookesberry on Kiwi in a Pocket on Upper Cherry.
Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm @ 20mm 1/750 F8.
On the other hand, if you shoot from overhead it will make a
drop look taller than it actually is. Sean Malee on the South Branch
Feather. This drop is really only 20'.
Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm @ 10mm 1/1600 F6.3 ISO 100
So the quick and dirty with wide lenses: Wider is not always
better, it just means you have to get closer to your subject, and your
composition has to be closer to perfect. Get close to your subject, and
use the wide angle when shooting from overhead.
I normally don't carry an ultra-wide lens on the river anymore,
but if I note a specific shot on a run that needs a wide angle, I'll
bring it on my next trip. Generally wide angle lenses (especially
Nikkors) are very soft in the corners wide open (maximum aperture), a
little something to keep in mind. Sometimes the scenery is so
good there are exceptions to the rules:
Garrett Brown, Upper Cherry 2009.
Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm @ 10mm 1/750 F8 ISO 200
|
