{"id":130540,"date":"2019-08-27T09:15:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T08:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=130540"},"modified":"2019-08-27T09:17:54","modified_gmt":"2019-08-27T08:17:54","slug":"get-creative-using-wrong-lens-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/get-creative-using-wrong-lens-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Get creative by using the ‘wrong’ lens for the job"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wideangle for wildlife<\/h1>\n\t\t
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Credit: Matthew Cattell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Work on a local project<\/h2>\n

Stay close to home (or near your place of work) and turn your shoot into a long-term project. You\u2019ll develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of both your subject and its environment, and staying local means you can more readily react to favourable weather conditions.<\/p>\n

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Include a point of reference<\/h2>\n

Where possible consider including a recognisable point of reference such as a building, monument or beauty spot to provide a strong sense of context. Whilst separation between subject and landmark is desirable, it is not always necessary for the landmark to be in sharp focus if its shape is recognisable.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Matthew Cattell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Think landscape<\/h2>\n

Treat this approach to wildlife photography in a similar way to landscape photography, with the foreground interest being provided by the wildlife subject. Good light, use of shadows, and compositional aids such as strong lead-in lines can enhance your work. Inclusion of seasonal references such as fallen leaves, snow or mist\/fog can really add to the story.<\/p>\n

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Explore urban environments<\/h2>\n

With bold colours, reflective materials and strong, geometric patterns, towns and cities are exciting places to photograph wildlife in. The wildlife is often more habituated to humans, making them easier to work with without causing distress, and there is also the opportunity to record how your subject interacts with human day-to-day life.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Matthew Cattell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Shoot low<\/h2>\n

Wildlife is nearly always best photographed at eye level to provide a more intimate connection between the subject and viewer. This requires the camera to be placed on\/near to the ground, a task made much easier with the latest cameras that usually have foldout screens.<\/p>\n

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Experiment with flash<\/h2>\n

A flash can be used to provide fill-in light, helping your subject to stand out against the backdrop. It can also be used to create a pleasing catchlight in the eye, preventing the subject from appearing lifeless. Although more tricky, it\u2019s worth experimenting with off-camera flash to create enhanced lighting effects.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Matthew Cattell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Provide context<\/h2>\n

If there is a strong connection between your subject and its environment it\u2019s not always necessary or desirable to fill the frame. Keeping the subject small in the frame will allow you to show its environment and will give the animal\/bird space to breathe. It can also be used to enhance the suggestion of \u2018remoteness\u2019 and \u2018solitude\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Record behaviour<\/h2>\n

As with telephoto wildlife photography, capturing a moment of unique behaviour can really elevate your images. There are benefits to working with wider focal lengths because interactions between animals often take up more space than a static pose. You can also seek to include interaction between your subject and its environment.<\/p>\n

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Kit list<\/h3>\n