Wide Angle

Wide-angle lenses are characterized by their short focal lengths (typically 35mm or less on full-frame cameras), which allow them to capture a broader field of view than the human eye. These lenses create distinctive images with exaggerated perspective—objects close to the lens appear larger and more prominent, while distant objects appear smaller and farther away. This distortion can be used creatively to emphasize foreground elements, create a sense of spaciousness, or add dramatic impact to scenes. Wide-angle lenses excel in landscape photography for capturing expansive vistas, in architectural photography for including entire structures, in interior photography for showing rooms in their entirety, and in environmental portraiture for placing subjects in context. Ultra-wide or fisheye lenses (15mm or less) create even more pronounced distortion, which can be used for creative or artistic effect. When using wide-angle lenses, photographers must be mindful of composition, as these lenses include more elements and can make scenes appear chaotic if not carefully arranged.