How to shoot big scenes with depth.

The secret’s of photography continue to unfold. How’d you do that?

It’s combination of finding a scene that works, knowing how to engage the right camera functions and you.

First, let’s view a few photos. Samples with interesting foreground textures in portrait orientation. Everything is focused from front to back in each scene.  A stronger consideration is to include interesting foreground elements in the composition. You can do this too. Let’s see how.

Big nature scene wide angle shooting technique:

• When you find a beautiful scene, try and have something interesting in the foreground as a visual stepping stone into the view. Clouds also add gorgeous textures.
• Get a really long dept of focus from front to back – here’s how…
• Set the f-number (aperture) to at least 10, about 14 or higher if you can. Use Aperture Priority or if you’re more experienced, Manual shooting mode.
• Use the focal range at or just below 50mm. Going really wide at 24mm just means correcting typical barrel distortion or keeping it and calling it “creative”.
• Because you’re restricting light with a large f-number (=small aperture), you may need to increase the ISO( if you are not using a tripod) to attain a hand-held shutter speed of a minimum 1/30 of a second.
• What’s best portrait or landscape orientation? Portrait orientations sometimes work best when you have excellent foreground elements as noted in the first point and the photo samples you’ve just seen.
• A tripod helps avoid increasing the ISO setting, so slower shutter speeds can be used. Use the self timer or a remote shutter release avoiding any movement caused by depressing the shutter button.
• Train wild animals to do tricks in your shots.

Everyone develops their own shooting techniques and styles over time.

Canon 24-105mm Lens

You don’t need this specific lens to accomplish such shots. It’s just a preferred lens at this time.

This lens is used frequently.  A narrow balance between zoom and wide angle that works great for travel photography, portraits and even some macro shooting. Short, light, easy around the neck and quality L grade glass. My main uses are largely outdoors, be it in a metropolis, a canyon desert or a Venetian market. It works for my needs and the way I shoot today. It’s been great for commercial product photography and editorial shots. I’d consider this one for real estate listing and publications photos too.

The built in IS (Image Stabilization) will buy you a few f-stops for handheld shots in low light conditions, thus increasing the ISO less often and avoiding the associated digital noise (graininess). For macro shooting (close up photography), the minimum focus distance is about .45 metres or 1.5 feet. Out of the box it comes complete with leather bag, lens cap and hood, and the usual user guide.

In the Canon L lens line up, this one is well priced. An L lens is Canon’s pro grade designation  identified by the thin red line around the outer front of the lens. These are designed for full frame sensors but can be used on the smaller Canon SLR camera sensor line up. I purchased my first L lens before I had a full frame sensor camera knowing it was an investment and that I would eventually move up to a full frame digital camera.

Well cared for, L grade lenses hold their value very well.

Specifications Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM

• Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 24-105mm f/4
• Lens Construction: 18 elements in 13 groups
• Diagonal Angle of View: 84° – 23° 20′ (with full-frame camera)
• Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with focusing cam
• Closest Focusing Distance: 1.48 ft./0.45m
  Zoom System: 5-group helical zoom (front group moves: 32.5mm)
  Filter Size: 77mm
• Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.3 in. x 4.2 in., 23.6 oz. / 83.5mm x 107mm, 670g (lens only)

Summary of potential uses:

• Big scenes, outdoors nature, urban, suburban, travel.
• Commercial product catalog photography.
• Editorial shots.
• Real estate listings and publications.

If you have any questions, you’re welcomed to share them. I’m glad to help.