When choosing between a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, think about these important factors:
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What You’re Photographing:
- Wide-angle lenses (like 24mm or smaller) are great for taking pictures of landscapes, buildings, and indoor spaces. They can show a wider view, capturing up to 90 degrees of the scene.
- Telephoto lenses (70mm or bigger) are better for focusing on specific subjects. They work well for wildlife and portraits where you want to see details from far away.
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How It Looks:
- Wide-angle lenses can make things look more dramatic by stretching the front objects. This can create a very interesting look, but it might also distort things, especially if you use a shorter focal length.
- Telephoto lenses help bring faraway subjects closer. This is perfect for portraits since they also create a soft background effect called bokeh, which looks nice in pictures.
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How You Use Them:
- If you’re taking pictures at an event, a wide-angle lens helps you fit large groups of people into a small space.
- For wildlife photography, using a telephoto lens is usually better for keeping a safe distance and not bothering the animals.
Pick the lens that best fits what you want to photograph and what you need for the scene to get the best results.