Focal length is a very important part of photography.
So, what is focal length? Focal length refers to how much zoom is in the camera lens.
The higher the number of mm. that is shown on the lens, the closer that the subject will appear.
So, what is focal length? Focal length refers to how much zoom is in the camera lens.
The higher the number of mm. that is shown on the lens, the closer that the subject will appear.
Do you see the ring with the numbers on it? That is the zoom ring that shows focal length.
Just to bring focal length into reality, our eyes see at a distance of about 50 mm.
But the wideness of the angle that your eyes are able to see is only about 10-20 mm.
But the wideness of the angle that your eyes are able to see is only about 10-20 mm.
Because of this difference, focal length not only determines how close the subject is
but also how the background appears.
The longer the lens, the closer the background will be to your subject.
Not only that, but also it adds more bokeh (background blur) to the image.
See in the photos below:
 |
| 18mm |
 |
| 55mm |
 |
| 200mm |
Also, all three of the photos are taken at f11, so the F-stop is not affecting the photos.
Because of this, a good portrait focal length would be about 85mm.
That would help to isolate your subject and provide just the right amount of background.
Also, if you are going after a dramatic shot or a landscape,
then you would want a fairly wide angle lens.
Finally, keep in mind that the only way to master focal length is to experiment with it.
I hope to include more articles about focal length in coming posts, so stay tuned!
Thanks for reading Weekend Photo Tips - more to come next Friday.
But until then, remember...
“ I always thought good photos were like good jokes. If you have to explain it,
it just isn’t that good. – Anonymous
