These lenses are a must for any photo buff. Pros generally carry two of them. In my case, 24 and 35mm are always in my camera bag.
Wide-angle lenses, when used properly, can produce striking photography; when used wrongly, can produce very bad work.
A wide-angle lens is defined as any lens below 35mm in focal length. The most common are 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm. These, of course are for the 35mm film format. A 50mm lens would be considered a wide-angle on a medium format camera.These lenses are a must for any photo buff. Pros generally carry two of them. In my case, 24 and 35mm are always in my camera bag.
With such a misleading name as "wide-angle" lens, wide-angle lenses are often wrongly used to include many elements in a scene instead of for their best use; to accentuate a subject.
Many of us make the mistake of slapping on our wide lenses when we encounter a closed space indoors, or when attempting to capture the majesty of scenic nature. To use the wide lens in these instances is often a mistake; remember that wide-angle lenses make things appear further than they really are. In addition, wide lenses have a deeper depth-of-field, often adding clutter to your work.
My suggestion is this: Use the wide angle to your advantage. Use its ability to make objects that are further away appear smaller to your advantage. Use the lens to bring attention to your subject, by keeping your subject in the foreground when you use your wide lens. And get close, sometimes very close.
One of photography's "golden rules" is to "never put your subject in the middle of your frame." This rule can sometimes be broken when using a wide-angle lens, especially when the subject is surrounded, or framed, by relevant elements. When attempting this, again, be sure to get close to your subject.
Focusing a wide-angle lens is sometimes extremely difficult, especially in low light. Here is my solution to this problem: On my 24mm lens, I rarely focus while looking through the viewfinder. Basically, I zone focus using four settings; 3 feet, 5 feet, 10 feet and infinity. This works very well for me, and I hope it works for you, too.
Photo Class is a series of lessons in photography by Billy Calzada for beginning and intermediate students. Visit Photo Class often, as new lessons will be posted periodically.