> 4 minute read

Breaking the Rules With Lenses

Conventional wisdom tells us that certain types of photography should be undertaken with specific lenses, but this is not always so. Let’s take a look at when it’s good to break the rules and be a rebel with your lens choice.

When thinking about which lens to take out with you, you probably consider what type of pictures you’re going to be making. The same goes when you’re thinking about buying a new lens – you’re likely looking at models that reflect the genres of photography you like to work in.

For example, wide-angle lenses are favoured by landscapers, because they exaggerate perspective and get lots in the frame. Similarly, sports photographers prefer telephoto lenses, because they allow frame-filling images from far away; and portrait photographers use lenses with fast maximum apertures in order to create blurred backgrounds.

However, these are not hard-and-fast rules. By choosing lenses that are not traditionally used for certain types of photography, we can open ourselves up to new ways of working and discover fresh ways to be creative.

Portrait Photography

Conventionally, portrait photographers use short telephoto lenses to slightly compress perspective and make foreground objects seem closer to things in the backgrounds.  This type of lens also lets photographers fill the frame without getting too close and crowding their subject.

But wide-angle lenses are useful in portraiture, too. They will do the opposite of a telephoto lens, and can make noses and chins look bigger if you move closer to fill the frame, but if you take a step back from your subject, then this unfortunate effect will be minimised. Furthermore, you’ll get more of your subject’s surroundings in the picture, which is a great way of telling their story.

People pictures photographed in this way – using wide-angle lenses – are often known as environmental portraits, because they include the subject’s environment: their home, their work, or a place they just like to hang out in.

Landscape Photography

Most landscapers wouldn’t be without a wide-angle – or even ultra-wide angle – lens in their bag. It helps exaggerate perspective, make the most of foreground elements, and record those ‘big sky’ moments we all see from time to time.

However, a telephoto lens can be just as useful: by zooming in, you can pick out far-off details and create scenes within a scene. Something like the XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS is great, since it packs a lot of different focal lengths into a portable package you can have with you in your bag all the time.

Telephoto lenses create the impression of depth being compressed, and this can be useful in landscape photography when photographing repeating patterns. Avenues of trees are a good example, as are rolling hills.

Sports Photography

Sports photographers use a telephoto lens for very good reason: they need to fill the frame with the action, but can’t get closer without getting in the way of what their subjects are doing. There aren’t really any alternative ways of doing this, but by changing lenses, you might find different ways to photograph the event.

For instance, by using a wide-angle focal length and changing your position, you can include the stadium and the crowds in your picture, which is a great way to tell the story of the event. Alternatively, choosing a lower viewpoint and a wide lens can help contextualise the athlete as part of the overall scene.

Wildlife Photography

Telephoto lenses are also a favourite of wildlife photographers – for much the same reason that they are used in sports. When getting physically closer to a subject would scare it away, you can zoom in to fill the frame from a distance instead.

However, you can also use a shorter focal length lens for wildlife, which will give your images a different look and feel. But we need an innovative approach to avoid scaring off your subjects. Why not try setting up the camera remotely, positioned to photograph birds at a feeding station? You can make the image using the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app, which also lets you change settings and see what the camera is seeing on the screen of your smartphone.

Your Next Steps

• CHALLENGE Either photograph your favourite subject with a new lens (you could borrow or hire one if you need to) or pick your favourite lens and tackle a subject you don’t usually make pictures of. Post your favourite images to social media with the hashtag #learnwithfujifilm and #lens. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.