How To Change Image Perspective vs Zooming Your Lens #photographytips #perspective #zoomlens

Summary

In this tutorial, Jay P. Morgan explains the difference between zooming in and changing the perspective in photography. He demonstrates how zooming simply crops the image without altering the perspective, whereas moving your feet changes the distance between you and your subject, thereby altering the background and composition. Jay also discusses how lens choice and perspective impact the narrative of a photo, from simplifying the background to controlling the scene's context. The video emphasizes the importance of perspective in photography and encourages photographers to experiment with their positioning for better results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zooming only crops the image; it doesn't change the perspective. To alter perspective, you need to move your feet.
• 😀 Changing perspective affects how the subject relates to the background, and not just the subject's size in the frame.
• 😀 Longer lenses bring the background closer to the subject, while shorter lenses push it away.
• 😀 Moving physically towards or away from the subject is what alters the background and narrative of your photo.
• 😀 Zooming in affects the focus and depth of field but does not change the scene's overall perspective.
• 😀 To simplify the background, use a long lens to blur it out and create a smoother canvas for the subject.
• 😀 A wide lens allows you to capture more of the environment and contextual details but may complicate the background.
• 😀 By adjusting your height (getting low or high), you can drastically change the composition and storytelling of the image.
• 😀 Using a strobe in harsh sunlight can help control the lighting on your subject and prevent background overexposure.
• 😀 At noon with a high sun, you can use a strobe light to isolate your subject and control ambient light with aperture and shutter settings.
• 😀 Getting off eye level—by shooting from above or below—introduces new perspectives and can make your image more dynamic.

Q & A

What is the main misconception about zooming in photography?

The main misconception is that zooming in changes the perspective of a scene. In reality, zooming in is just cropping into the image, not altering the perspective.

How does zooming in affect the image?

Zooming in affects the framing by cropping the image and potentially changes the focus due to a shallower depth of field, but it does not alter the perspective.

What is required to change the perspective in photography?

To change the perspective, you need to physically move closer to or farther from your subject, not just adjust the zoom on your lens.

What effect does moving closer to the subject with a wide-angle lens have?

Moving closer to the subject with a wide-angle lens, such as a 35mm, makes the background appear larger and more prominent, which changes the perspective of the image.

How does using a longer lens, like a 150mm, impact the perspective?

Using a longer lens like a 150mm compresses the background, making it appear further away, and gives the scene a more 'flattened' look.

What is the effect of using a long lens in terms of background simplification?

A long lens helps simplify the background by blurring out details, turning the background into a uniform wash of color, which isolates the subject.

Why is it important to move your feet instead of just zooming in or out?

Moving your feet allows you to control the background, narrative, and composition of the image, whereas zooming in or out only affects the framing and focus.

How does changing your perspective by moving your feet help with the narrative in photography?

By moving your feet, you can control how much of the environment is shown in the frame, which affects the narrative. For example, using a wide lens from a high vantage point might emphasize a journey, while a long lens can remove environmental context.

What was the lighting setup used in the video to control the sunlight?

Jay used backlighting to counteract the harsh noon sunlight, keeping the subject’s nose down to avoid direct sunlight, and used a strobe (FJ400) at full power to balance the exposure and darken the surrounding area.

What is the advantage of getting low or high when adjusting perspective?

Getting low or high allows you to change the angle, which can dramatically affect the composition and mood of the image. For example, getting low might help you capture more of the sky, while getting high could emphasize a long path or scene.