Telephoto lenses are worth considering if you want to take your photography to the next level. These lenses boast several characteristics that impact the final image. Of course, the important feature is that they have greater reach and pull your subject in closer and have it fill more of the frame.
In so doing, they provide a smaller field and greater compression. The greater the focal length, the more pronounced these characteristics become. Having said that, here are a few reasons to consider using a telephoto lens to shoot landscapes.
Isolate Your Subject from Distractions
A telephoto lens is a remarkable tool to leverage when you want to isolate your subject from distractions that might pull focus. As a photographer, you carry with you the power to control what your viewer sees, and most importantly, what your viewers doesn’t see in the final image. When you choose to settle for a longer focal length, rest in knowing it will simplify your composition.
However, it is essential that you consider leaving some breathing room around your subject. You still want to make sure that there is ample space for the eye to explore the surroundings and offer context for the main subject.
Compress Space
It is important to note that telephoto lenses give the illusion that the space between objects has been compressed. This has the potential to create an interesting layered effect when photographing distant hills. Part of the appeal of this type of shot is that our own eyes can’t see a scene in this way. Remember, telephoto lenses offer less depth of field for subjects that are fairly close to the lens, but this is less likely to be a problem when pulling in more distance scenes.
Shoot Panoramas
Among the most disturbing issues accompanying photographing a landscape using a longer telephoto lens is that you may be unable to capture as much of the scene as you would. This is, of course, due to the narrower field of view. To compensate for this, you should consider creating panoramas. In this way, you can attain the desired image without strain.
The vast majority of us are creatures of habit, and those habits can creep into our photography. However, this is something you no longer have to worry about when using a telephoto lens since it can open up endless possibilities and allow you to see the world in new and interesting ways.