PHOTOGRAPHY TIP--- “Let me be clear on this the focal length of a lens DOES NOT CHANGE PERSPECTIVE” There are several factors that must be included when you are considering the characteristics of lenses. To perform well as a photographer, you must recognize the effect of these lens characteristics. Realize also that it is the recognition and use of these various lens features and/or qualities that can make the difference between a good and a poor photograph. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages beyond just the field of view of a lens opens an entirely new level of photography that is an essential, but often overlooked. Focal Lengths of lenses is all about (what I call) “perception of the angle-of-view .” The human eye sees in three dimensions because of binocular vision (two optical cameras with overlapping images). A camera does not have the optical ability to be stereoscopic on its own and therefore does not allow for the sense of depth. What is considered “normal” focal length for a lens gives the similar field of view that our vision covers (which is 45-55 degrees field of view), and the relative DOF (Depth of Field) of these lenses gives the familiar sense to feel the “depth” of our normal vision. If you close one eye and look with the other, you can still register in your brain the sense of depth, because our brains have been programed to view the sense of Depth of Field through what is in focus and what is not. However, when you use wide or telephoto lenses, the field of view and the characteristics of depth change properties. The “angle of view” and the perception of depth are changed– hence the “Perception of Angle-of-View” has also changed. Any lens with an angle of view less than 45 degrees with a given film size has a longer focal length. However, just as we know that we want/need more than just a pinhole camera to create the images we want, when you start using the studio lights, you will find that you need more from your flash than just a bright light. Now…let me be clear on this the focal length of a lens DOES NOT CHANGE PERSPECTIVE. If you stand in one spot and change lenses, you get the same perspective no matter what lens you use. It is constant, because perspective is the relationship between the subject and the camera. There are three classes of lenses that effect “angle-of-view perception:” Normal, wide, and telephoto. Each has their benefits, but they do not change perspect. Only your feet do that.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:25:12 +0000
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