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Same Subject / Different Focal Length by Russ Burden Spark your creativity with Russ's new version of "Picture in Picture" Article rating: 8.83

For the past year, anyone who has tuned into broadcast TV has seen the scrolling warning -  if you don’t convert to digital television or if you don’t purchase a converter for your analog set, you won’t receive signals after a certain date. While this date has been pushed back, I was one of the consumers who beat the original deadline and finally upgraded to a digital flat screen. In scrolling through the menus to become familiar with the set, I stumbled across the Picture in Picture feature. Not that’s it’s new, it’s that it sparked a thought regarding photography.  When I’m judging a local art exhibit or at one of the local camera clubs, whenever I see an image that includes too much information, I make the comment that a photographer should always look for the picture in the picture. This is turn sparked an idea for my weekly photo tip.  

Some photographers tend to view their subjects with “telephoto” eyes and instinctively lean toward long lens shots. Others see the world through “wide angle” eyes and attach  wide zooms. By limiting ones self to a specific set of eyes, the result is many missed photo opportunities. I learned this through experience the hard way. In the days I shot slide film, I used to strictly be a “telephoto” eye shooter.  I liked the results, but when my friends and I  got together to project the images each of us took, I realized I missed many shots as I admired the projected images of those who saw the same scene with “wide angle” eyes. After about the third trip and many thoughts to myself of, “Why in the heck didn’t you see that,” it finally sunk in that I simply needed to view my subjects with “open” eyes.    

The approach I now incorporate is to photograph every subject I encounter using as many focal lengths as possible. I need to stress as possible because the subject may be moving. If the action is repeatable, I practice what I preach. If not, I go with my gut. Using the following scenario, you’ll get an idea about what I put into practice. Photographer X is out for the day and has an 28-135mm lens on his camera. In his backpack there’s a flash, spare batteries, memory cards in addition to his “just in case” lenses of 80-400mm and a 12-24mm. He comes across a beautifully painted Victorian home and late afternoon light is bathing it in gorgeous yellow tones. He spends 20 minutes taking many different angles using the 28-135. He goes home happy with what he’s done.

Photographer X is now in front of his computer. After down loading, he checks the metadata and sees that most of his pics were made at pretty much the same focal length. If you or someone you know fits X’s profile, I encourage you to heed the following advice. If the lens that’s on your camera zooms from 28-135mm, challenge yourself to find at least one image you can make along all the key increments: 28 / 35 / 50 / 80/ 100/ 135. Use foreground elements for the wide angle shots to use as a leading line. Look for the common shot at the mid range lengths. How about trying some selective focus shots at the long end? Once you complete this task, shoot with the “just in case” lenses in your camera bag and continue the process. At the 400mm range, look for intricate details and fill the frame. Tunnel your vision and find a slice of the overall subject and isolate it. At the other extreme, put on the super wide and make some of those infinite depth of field shots or ones with exaggerated perspective. The sooner you get into the habit of incorporating these tactics, you’ll never find yourself saying the words I once told myself, “Why in the heck didn’t you see that?”

© Russ Burden

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.

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