Mastering Landscape Photography: Understanding Focal Lengths and How to Use Them
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Focal length is a critical aspect of photography that determines the field of view and how objects appear in an image. It is calculated as the distance between the light entering the center of the lens and reaching the sensor, and it is measured in millimetres. In this tutorial, we will explore the different types of focal lengths, how to use them, and the key points to keep in mind when selecting the right lens for your photography needs.
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Focal length is the distance between the optical center of a lens and the image sensor, measured in millimeters. It determines the field of view and the size of objects in a photo.The essential thing focal length tells us is how large the objects you photograph will appear in your picture and the angle of view you can capture. To break it down, the longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view and the higher the magnification( the size of each object in your photo) . The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and the lower the magnification.
If you move the glass element closer to the sensor your angel of view will become wider ( wide angel) and if you move it further from the sensor your angel of view becomes more narrow ( telephoto)
One of the most important things a focal length can tell us is how large a object will appear in a photo. Photo: Adobe stock
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The size of the image sensor in a camera plays a important role in the performance of lenses and the type of photography they are suitable for. The relationship between sensor size and focal length is determined by the crop factor, which is the ratio of the diagonal size of the sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is 35mm.
The crop factor determines the field of view of a lens, with larger sensors requiring longer focal lengths to achieve the same field of view as a smaller sensor and vice versa. For example, a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera has a field of view equivalent to a 75mm lens on an APS-C sensor camera and a 100mm lens on a Micro Four Thirds sensor camera.
In choosing lenses for your camera, it's important to understand the impact of sensor size on focal length. A 50mm lens on a full-frame camera is often considered a "normal" lens, while on an APS-C sensor camera, it would be considered a "portrait" lens.
When selecting a lens, it's also important to consider the depth of field and the subject distance, as the relationship between focal length, aperture, and sensor size will determine the amount of background blur and the subject size in the image.
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1.The size of the image sensor in a camera affects the performance of lenses.
2. The crop factor determines the relationship between sensor size and focal length.
3.Larger sensors require longer focal lengths to achieve the same field of view as smaller sensors.
4.The crop factor determines the field of view and the type of photography a lens is suitable for.
5.Understanding the impact of sensor size on focal length and depth of field is crucial in selecting the right lenses for your photography needs.
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Ultra-wide angle lenses with a focal length of less than 24mm (full frame) or 16mm (APS-C) are great for capturing panoramic views, fitting more into the frame, and getting close to the foreground for depth and exciting perspectives. They are also suitable for long-exposure seascapes and nightscapes. Ultra-wide angle lenses are perfect for photographing long exposure seascapes, where you want to emphasise the waves and foreground and leave room for a Beautiful sunset.
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Lenses with a short focal length and an ultra-wide angle, with apertures ( lens opening) of f/2.8 or faster, are ideal for nightscape photography.
They can include much of the night sky and an interesting foreground in one exposure. Also, the wider your lens is, the longer your exposure can be before the stars start to trail.
How long you can keep your shutter open before the earth's rotation makes the stars trail can be calculated with the Rule of 500. To use the rule of 500, divide 500 by your focal length (35mm equivalent), which is the maximum shutter speed. For example, 500/ 20mm lens = 25sec maximum exposure for sharp stars.
It's important to note that ultra-wide angle lenses can distort the edges of the frame, making composition and perspective difficult.
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1. Ultra wide ange lenses has a short focal length and wide angel of view.
2. Typical focal lengths for ultra-wide angel are usually between 12-24mm on full frame or 8-16mm on Aps-c.
3. Ultra-wide angle lenses are good for getting close to the foreground, expansive landscapes, seascapes and nightscapes.
4. Ultra wide-angle lenses can be costly because they are more challenging to produce.
5. Ultra-wide angle lenses can distort the edges of the frame and make the composition more difficult.
Shot with a 11mm on aps-c, in this image I used a short focal length( wide angel of view) to emphasise the structures in the ice and to still leave room for the sky and moon as background. photo: Are Ole Ramstad
This is shot with a short focal length with a wide angel of view to emphasis foreground and the waves but still leave room for the sunset. Photo: Are Ole Ramstad
Shot with 11mm focal length on aps-c which equals about 20mm on full frame. Photo: Are Ole Ramstad
Shot with 24mm on aps-c wich equals a 35mm full frame focal length . The 35mm focal length is the the most natural and the closest to field of view we see with our own eyes. Photo: Are Ole Ramstad
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The classic 24-70mm focal range is an excellent choice for landscape photography. It offers a wide field of view while maintaining a realistic perspective and is less prone to distortion than ultra-wide angle lenses. In this focal range, you have many classic focal lengths, such as 35 and 50mm, which are very popular with portrait and street photographers. This focal range ( 24-70) at the narrow end is also perfect for isolating your subject and making more intimate landscape images.
A lens with a focal length range of 24-70mm or 16-55( Aps-c) is perfect for all-around use, portraits with an excellent background and intimate details at the narrow end. It's also ideal if you want the perspective to look very natural.
These focal lengths are also what most phone cameras are equipped with, so if you use only a focal length between 24-70, creating images that stand out from the crowd can be a bit more challenging.
That being said, creating exciting and creative photographs within this focal length is still possible. It’s perfect for walking around, street photography, portraits, and creating natural-looking photos at f.eks 35mm.
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1. Good for creating natural-looking images
2. Good as walking around lenses, suitable for street photography and portraits
3. Often less pricy than its ultra-wide angle and telephoto counterparts
4. Often very versatile
5. The most normal focal ranges can make it more challenging to make photos that stand out from the crowd
Atlantic puffin captured with a very long focal length of 600mm and a narrow field of view.Photo: Are Ole Ramstad
A sunset scene photographed with a focal length of 300mm. Photo: Are Ole Ramstad
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Telephoto lenses with a focal length of 70-400mm and above are excellent for isolating specific details or subjects, creating a more intimate and focused image, and capturing distant subjects and details. They may require a tripod or fast shutter speed for sharp photos but are ideal for sports, wildlife, and bird photography.
However, telephoto lenses may require a tripod for sharp images due to their longer focal length and sensitivity to camera shake. A rule of thumb for hand-holding a telephoto lens is to have the shutter speed equal to the focal length. If you have good image stabilization in your camera, you can bend this rule, but a fast enough shutter speed is always crucial to getting sharp images when you aren't using a tripod.
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1. Telephoto lenses have a long focal length and a narrow-angle of view.
2. Telephoto lenses are great for focusing on details and faraway objects
3. Telephoto lenses are suitable for photographing; wildlife, birds, sports and intimate landscape scenes
4. Telephoto lenses can often be costly
5. Telephoto lenses are often big and heavy and require a tripod or excellent technique to get sharp images due to how prone they are to camera shake.
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Macro lenses have a high magnification ratio, which makes them ideal for close-up photography of small objects like flowers, insects, or small details in objects. They have a short minimum focusing distance, which allows you to get close to your subject, and a longer focal length, which helps you keep a safe distance from the subject while still capturing a close-up image.
Macro lenses are available in various focal lengths, but the most common ones are around 100mm. This allows you to work comfortably from the subject and get sharp images even when shooting handheld. However, it's important to note that the depth of field (the area in focus) is very shallow when shooting close-up, so it's crucial to pay attention to focus and use a tripod or other support to keep the camera steady.
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1.Macro lenses have a high magnification ratio and allow you to capture close-up images.
2..They have a short minimum focusing distance, which allows you to get close to the subject.
3.They are ideal for photographing small objects like flowers, insects, or small details in objects.
4.The most common focal lengths for macro lenses are around 100mm.
5.When shooting close-up, the depth of field is very shallow, so it's crucial to use a tripod or other support to keep the camera steady.
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1.Understanding Focal Length: Focal length is the distance between the centre of the lens and the image sensor in millimetres. A longer focal length provides a narrower field of view and compresses the distance between objects in the frame, while a shorter focal length offers a wider field of view and expands the distance between objects in the frame.
2.Purpose of the Photo: The first step in choosing the right focal length is understanding your photo's purpose. For example, if you are capturing a portrait, you may want to use a longer focal length to compress the background and bring attention to the subject's face. On the other hand, if you are capturing a landscape, you may want to use a wider focal length to include more of the surroundings in the frame.
3.Distance to Subject: Another factor to consider when choosing the right focal length is the distance to the subject. A longer focal length will allow you to capture a subject from a distance, while a shorter one may require you to be closer to the subject to achieve the desired field of view.
4.Camera Equipment: The type of camera equipment available can also impact your choice of focal length. A full-frame camera will have a different effective focal length than a crop sensor. Additionally, lenses with different focal lengths will have different maximum apertures, which can affect your photos' overall look and feel.
5.Personal Style: Finally, the choice of focal length is also a personal style decision. Some photographers prefer the compression and narrow field of view of a longer focal length, while others prefer the broader field of view and more expansive perspective of a shorter focal length. Experimenting with different focal lengths will help you determine what works best for you and your style of photography.
If you want to download these Key points as a PDF file to keep as a cheat sheet, tap the button below.
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Focal length is an essential aspect of photography that can significantly impact the outcome of your images. Understanding the different types of focal lengths and how to use them can help you achieve the desired results and take your photography skills to the next level. Whether you prefer ultra-wide angle lenses, normal focal range lenses, or telephoto lenses, each has its advantages and disadvantages. By weighing these factors and considering your specific needs, you can select the right lens for your photography style.
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Are Ole is an enthusiastic photographer who loves sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He regularly posts tutorials and articles to help others improve their landscape photography skills and post-processing techniques. With a passion for the great outdoors and adventure, Are Ole offers tips and tricks based on his years of experience in the field. Following his guidance, you can learn new techniques and capture stunning shots. Join a supportive community of fellow photographers and grow your skills with Are Ole's guidance. Note: This article was reviewed by GPT-3 for its grammar, spelling, and structure.