Using a Short Lens Pt. 2

Wide angle photography isn't just confined to landscapes - it can be used in clever ways with portraits too. However, you need to know how to do this right - or you might seriously risk upsetting your subject.

Check out these two wide angle photos of Tasha who as you probably know is very slim. Both these images were shot on a 10mm lens on a digital (DX) sensor. The top photo with her in the middle of the frame she's her usual slender self, but what about the second image?

All of a sudden we have a 'Fat Nat' and both photos were taken only seconds apart so how did she gain weight so quickly?

Wide angle photography shot on a wide lens is dramatic, but because of the wide field of view they distort like mad at the edges of the frame to cram everything in. Whatever you have near the edge of the frame will be stretched by a wide angle lens and that's what happened to Tasha when I took a couple of paces to my left between first and second shots.

You can use this distortion to more flattering effect. To make up for making her fat I'll show you haw to make a dramatic portrait and make her legs longer at the same time.

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