Perspective in Photography

Perspective in Photography

Info

Activity

Explore Perspective

How does the focal length impact perspective? In this activity, you will explore three uses photography uses cases.Select any of the categories to get started.

This activity is not graded. When you're ready to move on, select "Next" in Canvas to proceed to the next lesson.

Wide Lens

Telephoto Lens

Here, the perspective makes the main penguin look very large and the other penguins look small in comparison, giving a 3D effect. Some photographers use wide lenses for creative purposes. However, wide lenses require you to get close to the animal which may not always be feasible.

Notice how the perspective here is compressed. It's hard to tell exactly how far away the background is from the subject. The image looks more 2D. Telephoto lenses are popular in wildlife photography, especially when the taking photos of animals from a distance.

Images: David Chapman

216mm

45mm

22mm

16mm

Wider Lenses

Longer Lenses

Notice how distorted the subject's face looks when wide-angle lenses (16mm , 22mm) are used. The distance between the nose and the ear looks further - this is because you generally have to stand closer to the subject with wide angle lenses.

As the focal length increases, the subject's face appears flatter. The standard lens (45mm) is the most natural perspective - this is likely what the subject looks like in real life. The telephoto lens (216mm) makes the subject's face look wider than in reality.

Images: Cooper et al.

20mm

50mm

80mm

Wide Lens

Standard Lens

Telephoto Lens

Notice how far apart the two waterfalls appear. The perspective is stretched out, pushing the foreground and background futher apart.

At 50mm, this focal length more closely resembles what the human eye sees.

Notice how close together the two waterfalls look. The scene is compressed.

Images: Todd Henson Photogtaphy