Lenses
There are many different types of lenses. The basic range is wide angle, telephoto and standard.
Wide angle lenses
Wide angle lenses capture a wider view of a scene than our eyes see. They can be used to show wide-open landscapes and suggest the size and scale of a subject.
Images can seem distorted around the edges of frame. For example straight lines can start to appear curved or faces might seem stretched.
Wide angle lenses can make objects in the foreground appear much bigger than those in the background. This can be a useful way of emphasising the foreground.
Telephoto lenses
Telephoto lenses have a long focal length. They magnify what you are looking at and can show far away subjects in detail. They are useful in situations when you can’t get close to your subject, for example wildlife photography or sporting events.
They can’t be used to photograph subjects that are too close.
Photographing subjects that are in the distance can result in images that appear flattened, so it is important to think about ways to add a sense of depth and space to a composition.
Standard lenses
Standard lenses are designed to work in a wide range of situations. They cannot show as wide a scene as a wide angle lens or show distant detail like a telephoto lens.
Standard lenses will produce images that are more like what our eyes see. They can be used for a wide range of different subjects and are a versatile choice for trying out different compositions quickly.
