The wide field
Above/featured: Vancouver landmark: two towers of the Lions Gate Bridge – 17 Jan 2014 (6D1).
Some time ago, I wrote about my photographic journey which has included a point-and-shoot camera, an introductory crop-frame camera, a consumer-model full-frame camera, and a compact mirrorless camera.
The way people see the world is best encapsulated at focal lengths typically around 35mm. Portraits of people start at about 50mm, and go as “long” or “tight” at 80mm. With larger zoom glass and longer focal lengths, “action at a distance” becomes accessible; examples include “close-up” views or moments at sports events or bird-watching from afar to avoid spooking the birds. At focal lengths below 35mm, the accessible field of view becomes much larger; for example, one of the “widest” fields can be found with a super-wide piece of glass at around 16mm.
I’ve made photographs across a wide variety of focal lengths: from wide (16mm) to long (480mm). I once imagined I would spend most of my time photographing “long”, at focal lengths beyond 100mm. I soon learned I prefer photographing (well-)below 50mm, with the lion’s share of my images in the “wide field” at focal lengths in the range 24 to 28mm.
Going wide with 3 devices, 5 lenses
| Camera | Lens | Widest focal length, in mm (full-frame equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS 450D (aka, Rebel XSi) APS-C, 1.6x crop |
EF-S 18-55 | 18 (29) |
| EF-S 10-22 | 10 (16) | |
| Canon EOS 6D mark1 (6D1) full-frame |
EF 24-105 | 24 (24) |
| Fujifilm X70 APS-C, 1.52x crop |
fixed-lens prime | 18.5 (28) |
| WCL-X70 attachment | 14 (21) |
Canon 450D: 18mm (29mm)
Facing south to the dormant Hualālai volcano on the Big Island: Hawaii, USA – 19 May 2008 (450D).
Pololū Valley Lookout on the northwest corner of the Big Island: Hawaii, USA – 21 May 2008 (450D).
Canon 450D: 10mm (16mm)
Quarry Bay: facing east, King’s Road at Westlands Road; the tram destination is Kennedy Town. The very wide field exhibits strong geometric distortion around the edges of the photo. Hong Kong – 8 Jun 2012 (450D).
Canon 6D1: 24mm
A walk around Stanley Park and the Seawall on a winter afternoon: Vancouver, BC – 17 Jan 2014 (6D1).
Fuji X70: 18.5mm (28mm)
First sight of Nordkette mountains and Inn river: Innsbruck, Austria – 9 May 2018 (X70).
Fuji X70: 14mm (21mm)
On the West Dyke Trail, facing west to the Sturgeon Banks wildlife conservation area; also visible are the CBC Richmond transmission towers and old airport reflective radar dishes: Richmond, BC, Canada – 28 Aug 2021 (X70).
I made all photos above between 2008 and 2021 with a Canon EOS450D/Rebel XSi (450D), a Canon EOS6D mark1 (6D1), and a Fujifilm X70 fixed-lens prime (X70). Acknowledgements go to Patti for LAPC no.165 in the week of 11-17 Sep 2021. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as https://wp.me/p1BIdT-ltp.
Fotoeins Fotografie 
17 Responses to “The wide field”
Interesting perspectives you share
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Cornelia; I’m fairly certain these perspectives aren’t unique and that they’re shared by many others. Thanks for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is better to see more of the world with the wide perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Teresa. There are some who “view” the wide-field as “too wide” and would prefer a much tighter perspective, and thus, much longer focal lengths 😅. To each their own, to be sure. Sometimes, when I photograph “wide,” I do wonder how things might appear “tight” in a zoom at a longer focal length. But I’ve been there many times before, and I’m sure I’ll ask that very same question again. Thanks for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I do tend to do tight shots a lot too. But depends the subject and the mood I guess.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wowwwwwww. GREAT photographs, GREAT details. Exemplary!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John; that’s very kind of you to say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful post, Henry. I love how you documented your photographic evolution via specific lenses and cameras. A great example of how we are always evolving (if we chose to) in our quest for the “great shot.” You really showed us the benefits of going wide! I really enjoyed this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Patti. Like many, starting with a point-and-shoot is “automatically” photographing wide. I moved to different devices and lenses which allowed me to shoot “tight” or “narrow”. Now, I’m enjoying my compact mirrorless, and I’m “back” to photographing wide. Funny how that works. Thanks again for stopping by and for your kind comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful Henry, and a very good demonstration of various approaches both in composition and via technology. Nice to see your name pop up again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi and thanks, Tina!
LikeLike
Great images.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great lesson, Henry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ann Christine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people