Do You Really Need That Big Lens?
This Yellow-crowned Night Heron image was created with the Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/80 sec. at f/5.
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/80 sec. at f/5.
One of the things many photographers do when they start or get into wildlife photography is get the longest lens they can afford. While it seems we never have enough focal length, there are times when you come across situations that you can use some of the other lenses you may have in your camera bag to create some very interesting images.
This Yellow-crowned Night Heron image was created with the Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 100. EV 0: 1/80 sec. at f/5.
Once in a while I come across unique opportunities that I cannot use my longest lens. Either the subject is too close or they will allow me to get as close as I would like. While it doesn't happen all that often, the results are unbelievable.
This juvenile Brown Pelican image was created with the Canon 17-40 f/4 lens
at 17mm and the Canon EOS-30D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/320 sec. at f/11.
Creating images with a wide-angle lens is a huge challenge for it goes against everything we think of when it comes to photographing wildlife. Careful planning is in order for the field of view is so large, even large subjects can become small that they can disappear in our viewfinders.
This butterfly image was created with the Canon 60mm Macro f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-20D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/800 sec. at f/2.8.
The trick is to find subjects or situations that will allow you to get close. Real close. This of course will require you to sometimes be only inches away from your subject so overcoming your fears since at any point you may be pecked, scratched or even bitten.
This Green Tree Frog image was created with the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 at 16mm lens
and the Canon EOS-40D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/20 sec. at f/8.
Of course the macro lens is fantastic for subjects that are small, but a killer lens I have fallen in love with recently is my 15mm fisheye. Now, this is one lens that is not only fun to use since you can get some real interesting effects since it will "warp" your subject, but depending on your camera you can capture a whole lot of information that would be impossible sometimes with a long lens.
This Rainbow Lorikeet image was created with the Canon 60mm Macro f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-20D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/60 sec. at f/2.8.
Using a wide lens is awesome for showing your subjects environment or their habitat. Since the wide angle lens can capture a wider view, if you can get close enough and compose it well, it will appear as if you are in their world which is the key to a killer wildlife photograph.
This Gopher Tortoise image was created with the Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/320 sec. at f/5.
So as you can see, it's not always the longest lens that is needed, but a little creativity and forethought to create that killer wildlife photograph!
This Yellow-crowned Night Heron image was created with the Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 100. EV 0: 1/80 sec. at f/5.
Once in a while I come across unique opportunities that I cannot use my longest lens. Either the subject is too close or they will allow me to get as close as I would like. While it doesn't happen all that often, the results are unbelievable.
This juvenile Brown Pelican image was created with the Canon 17-40 f/4 lens
at 17mm and the Canon EOS-30D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/320 sec. at f/11.
Creating images with a wide-angle lens is a huge challenge for it goes against everything we think of when it comes to photographing wildlife. Careful planning is in order for the field of view is so large, even large subjects can become small that they can disappear in our viewfinders.
This butterfly image was created with the Canon 60mm Macro f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-20D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/800 sec. at f/2.8.
The trick is to find subjects or situations that will allow you to get close. Real close. This of course will require you to sometimes be only inches away from your subject so overcoming your fears since at any point you may be pecked, scratched or even bitten.
This Green Tree Frog image was created with the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 at 16mm lens
and the Canon EOS-40D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/20 sec. at f/8.
Of course the macro lens is fantastic for subjects that are small, but a killer lens I have fallen in love with recently is my 15mm fisheye. Now, this is one lens that is not only fun to use since you can get some real interesting effects since it will "warp" your subject, but depending on your camera you can capture a whole lot of information that would be impossible sometimes with a long lens.
This Rainbow Lorikeet image was created with the Canon 60mm Macro f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-20D. ISO 800. EV 0: 1/60 sec. at f/2.8.
Using a wide lens is awesome for showing your subjects environment or their habitat. Since the wide angle lens can capture a wider view, if you can get close enough and compose it well, it will appear as if you are in their world which is the key to a killer wildlife photograph.
This Gopher Tortoise image was created with the Canon 15mm Fisheye f/2.8 lens
and the Canon EOS-50D. ISO 400. EV 0: 1/320 sec. at f/5.
So as you can see, it's not always the longest lens that is needed, but a little creativity and forethought to create that killer wildlife photograph!
Want to learn more about photographing wildlife? Then join me for the most comprehensive course taught on the internet about wildlife photography today! Click here to learn more about Wildlife Photography 101.
www.robertlafollette.com
