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Home → Composition and Art

How Focal Length Affects What (and How) You See

By John Bosley 20 Comments
Last Updated On February 20, 2019

Your choice of focal length will affect what you see. Would you agree with that? What if I also said that your choice of focal length will affect how you see? That’s a whole different story, now isn’t it? Instead of discussing how focal length affects your view when you look into the viewfinder, I want to talk about how focal length can affect how you look at everything around you before you ever even see it in the viewfinder.

Different focal lengths will have different fields of view. For simplicity’s sake, let’s just say that they will “see” the same scene differently. Here’s an example:

Focal Length Affects How You See-5
20mm f/1.8 @ 20mm, ISO 200, 1/3200, f/4.0

This 20mm lens gives a very wide view of San Francisco. There are different reasons why some people might prefer this focal length for a scene like this: it can show how vast the city is; it can be quite minimalist; it can include a dramatic sky to compliment the buildings.

Focal Length Affects How You See-4
135mm f/2 @ 135mm, ISO 200, 1/3200, f/4.0

Other people might prefer the tighter view I got from my 135mm lens. Again, there are different reasons why some people might prefer this focal length for a scene like this: parts of the city, even particular buildings, can easily be isolated; you don’t feel quite so removed from the scene; you can almost completely fill the frame with buildings, cutting out most of the sky if you’d like.

Of course, the wonderful thing about photography is that there is no right or wrong answer. You might not like either focal length or you might like both. You might have a completely different reason than the ones I listed above. And you know what? That’s fine!

But… let’s get back to the point of the article, shall we? If I put on a lens with a longer focal length (105mm, 135mm, 200mm, etc…) and walk around a city or a landscape, I’m looking for very different things than if I’m walking around with a lens with a shorter focal length (14mm, 18mm, 24mm, etc…). For example, with a longer focal length, I might be looking for interesting details that can stand on their own. I’m not even looking at entire buildings or scenes anymore. I’m looking at neon signs, doorknobs, engravings, tree trunks and small bunches of flowers.

Focal Length Affects How You See-9
135mm f/2 @ 135mm, ISO 200, 1/640, f/4.0
Focal Length Affects How You See-10
135mm f/2 @ 135mm, ISO 200, 1/640, f/4.0
Focal Length Affects How You See-13
135mm f/2 @ 135mm, ISO 200, 1/250, f/5.6

With a wider focal length, I’m looking for more “big picture” scenes. The small details no longer interest me since I know they’ll get lost in the image. Now I’m looking at buildings, the sky and how everything works together in the frame. I’m looking at landscapes. Small groups of flowers don’t concern me, but entire fields of flowers do.

Focal Length Affects How You See-2
35mm f/1.4 @ 35mm, ISO 200, 1/60, f/4.0
Focal Length Affects How You See-11
20mm f/1.8 @ 20mm, ISO 200, 1/800, f/5.6

So here’s my challenge to you. The next time you’re out shooting for fun, limit yourself to one focal length. Ideally, the focal length you choose will be one extreme or the other (telephoto or wide) so that you’re forced to see the world through different eyes than normal. If you’re using a zoom, keep it set to one focal length the entire time.

Another option would be to grab a macro lens or extension tube and get up close and personal with your subjects. Suddenly, a simple garden has endless opportunities for photos. A city comes alive with texture. You think you ignored the big picture with a longer focal length? With a macro lens, you’re suddenly looking for a perfect individual flower to photograph.

Focal Length Affects How You See-7
135mm f/2 + 20mm extension tube @ 135mm, ISO 400, 1/400, f/4.0

This can be a very constructive (and challenging) exercise if you’re used to using a “normal” focal length like 35mm or 50mm. Getting your brain out of 50mm mode can be quite difficult!

This is an exercise that I’ve done from time to time and I’m always amazed at how I start to notice things that I’ve walked by a hundred times and never noticed before. Not only will you start to see things differently, you might even start to think differently!

A few months ago, Nasim was visiting San Francisco and he brought along the Tamron 15-30mm lens, so of course I had to take it for a test drive. I kept it at 15mm the entire time I was shooting with it and it took a while for my brain to adjust to how wide that actually is. While standing at a corner waiting to cross the street, a very stylish guy walked up next to me, stopped and started checking his phone. Immediately, my brain went into 15mm mode and I realized that I could photograph the guy, the city and even the overhead power lines that are draped over most major streets in SF! Even though he was only standing about a foot or two away, I was able to quickly grab this photo that simply wouldn’t have been possible with a tighter focal length. It’s an image that I’m rather proud of, not so much for the content or composition, but more because I was able to match a scene’s potential with the gear I had available and create an image in my camera that I initially envisioned in my head.

Focal Length Affects How You See-1
15-30mm f/2.8 @ 15mm, ISO 200, 1/250, f/5.6

Here’s one parting bit of advice if you decide to try this and head out with only one lens (especially if you’re used to having a variety of focal lengths with you at all times)… Don’t worry about the shots you missed because you didn’t have the right focal length with you. That’s something that’s going to happen. Instead, just enjoy the experience of seeing your world in a different way than you’re used to. Chances are you’ll probably come back with different images than you’re used to as well. Happy shooting!

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Filed Under: Composition and Art Tagged With: Focal Length, Photography Tips, Tips for Beginners, Visualization

About John Bosley

John Bosley is a wedding and portrait photographer in Denver who loves creating authentic, emotional images with his clients. He has a soft spot for functional antiques. You might see him writing with a fountain pen from his collection or shooting with one of his many film cameras. You can view his work on his website or see what he’s been up to lately on Instagram.

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Eddy
Eddy
October 8, 2015 3:02 am

I always prefer wide over tight. My primary use of long lenses is for portrait and moon photography.

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Andrew V.
Andrew V.
October 5, 2015 6:27 am

I need to get more practice with wide angles, my camera used to live with the 14mm f/2.8 mounted on it. Lately I’ve been struggling creating strong images with wide angle lenses, i think it’s been a mind set change. Has any one else noticed that they favor a focal length based on personal trends, seasons, or locations?

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Henrik
Henrik
October 4, 2015 11:10 pm

As I was reading your article, I was thinking to myself, I hope he mentions the ability of a wide lens to expand the narative power of an image. Frame your main subject close in but include plenty of middle and background to contextualize/lead/elaborate on/literally layer the image. I don’t think this is easy, if at all possible with a tele. Teles isolate. Wides include. If you push your foreground subject to an edge, you can do a couple of things. You can layer more subjects into one image, a kind of visual fugue (I hope I spelled it right). Also, you can introduce abstraction into your image by distorting the foreground subject to increase drama.

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Michael Deen
Michael Deen
October 4, 2015 7:31 am

I enjoyed your article and can really relate to it. Sometimes I am probably just being lazy and refusing to carry anything more than one camera with one lens. At other times however it is very deliberate. I’m retired so I find myself revisiting the same sites around where I live often. I use the technique you describe in your article to keep things interesting.

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  Michael Deen
October 4, 2015 10:54 am

It’s a great way to keep a familiar area fresh and interesting, Michael. Glad you enjoyed the article!

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Jens Hansen
Jens Hansen
October 4, 2015 4:21 am

I tried this method last year by using my 60mm f2.8 for types of photography where I would normal use a wide angle zoom or a tele lens. It challenged me quite a lot and it produced some interesting photos. Nice to read an article which gives some fine examples showing how this can be done.

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  Jens Hansen
October 4, 2015 10:53 am

Glad to hear you challenge yourself once in a while, Jens. I think everyone should mix it up from time to time!

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dannny
dannny
October 3, 2015 6:45 pm

thank you for making it so clear. the very reason i prefer fixed focal length lens,knowing what they see, so i can see what they see.with zoom lens i try to remember the two max focal lengths. its always a struggle to see what the camera see’s, not what i imagine the photo will look like.practice,practice,practice!
and then sometimes i just get lucky or not

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  dannny
October 4, 2015 10:53 am

I think zoom lenses are useful for many reasons, but I prefer fixed focal lengths for the same reasons as you, danny.

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Alpha Whiskey
Alpha Whiskey
October 3, 2015 5:53 am

A great article with very good advice, especially that last part about just enjoying it! :)
I’ll often take my street photos with a single prime lens (last time it was 60mm) just to train myself in the discipline of using one focal length and improving my composition skills.
Regards,
Sharif.

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  Alpha Whiskey
October 3, 2015 10:05 am

Thanks Sharif! You’ve got to enjoy it, right?

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Jean-Daniel Pellet
Jean-Daniel Pellet
October 3, 2015 3:08 am

Welcomed reminder, John, of the effect a fixed focal lens. You’re right, it really determines the way we look at possible subjects, as if we said lens was attached to our eyes. Which does not always goes without some frustration, because I guess we may miss interesting sights or things not only to photograph, but also merely to SEE… :-)

Nice to see your pictures with the 135mm f/2. A lens I own, but do not use as often as I should. You will definitely make me take it out next time…

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  Jean-Daniel Pellet
October 3, 2015 10:05 am

It truly does, Jean-Daniel. I love using a lens enough that I can “see” what that particular lens will see.

Hope you get that 135 out and use it a bit!

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KnightPhoto
KnightPhoto
October 2, 2015 9:19 pm

How do I subscribe without making a comment ;-)

OK nice article John and thought-provoking examples.

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Ian W
Ian W
Reply to  KnightPhoto
October 3, 2015 1:58 am

Bookmark and refresh?

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  KnightPhoto
October 3, 2015 10:03 am

Thanks KnightPhoto!

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Tomas
Tomas
October 2, 2015 8:30 pm

I did this a couple of days ago here in my city (Bariloche) with my Tokina 11-20mm, I enjoyed a lot…shooting almost all the time at 11mm that is close to yours 15mm ;).

Nice advice, nice article, nice pictures! Thanks for sharing.

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John Bosley
John Bosley
Author
Reply to  Tomas
October 3, 2015 10:02 am

Thank you, Tomas. Glad to hear you’ve done it before!

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