Zoom-in techniques
Despite their size and weight, telephoto lenses are a must for getting close to your subject, writes Razz Rozzfaisal
PHOTOGRAPHERS use zoom lenses to get the right shots. Zoom lenses are sometimes referred to as telephoto lenses. A set of mechanism in the lens varies focal length. For example, a telephoto lens with 70-200mm focal length enables you to shoot at a maximum of 200mm and a minimum 70mm.
One of the disadvantages of this lens is that it is bulky and heavy. Some manufacturers have produced lighter and smaller telephoto lenses but good quality ones are heavy and bulky.
This type of lens is a must in wildlife and sports photography for keeping a safe distance as well to to not disturb the animals or athletes.
As these lenses are normally heavy, a tripod or monopod is necessary when using them. This will result in sharp photos as well as reduce the photographer’s load.
Here are some tips when using telephoto lenses.
1. DEPTH OF FIELD: Using a telephoto lens usually involves shallow depth of field. Sharp areas within your photo is limited to a short gap. Use this to your advantage, and you will get a blur foreground and background while your subject stays tack-sharp. In this photo, a blurred bamboo tree helps frame the subject. The photo was taken at 135mm.
2. CHOOSE AND PICK THE SUBJECT: You can isolate your subject and eliminate distraction. There are times in crowded areas where you are attracted to a subject due to its character, or bacause of the surrounding light or background. A telephoto lens is an advantage here. This photo was taken from a boat ride at 200mm.
3. TOO FAR FROM THE SUBJECT: When you are too far from your subject, using a telephoto lens is the only solution. You can take the photo using normal focal length (35mm) and later crop it but this will result in loss of pixel. This photo was taken at 400mm.
4. GETTING TIGHT SHOTS: You can get close-up action or sports shots. Getting close to certain sports is dangerous and most of the time you are not allowed to go near. This tight shot was taken at a Bull Race Festival in Sumatera at 400mm.
5. LANDSCAPE: Usually we associate landscape photography with the use of wide-angle lens but telephoto lenses pick up landscape details. In this photo, I was intrigued by the lines at a paddy field. This shot was taken at 400mm.