September 11, 2021 • 228

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: Going Wide

View life through a wide angle lens attitude and see your horizons broaden.― Stephen Richards

When we travel, I always take my favorite lens (18 to 55mm), which gives me a range of shooting options, including wide angle images. What’s a wide angle lens? It’s any lens that is below 35 mm on a crop-sensor camera or 50 mm on a full frame. The wide-angle view is perfect for capturing a broad vista like a landscape, seascape, or cityscape.

On a recent trip to Vancouver Island, I captured this wide-angle harbor view in Tofino, a pretty seaside town. My eye was drawn to the red boat and buildings and the amazing mountain views. The benefit of a wide-angle lens is that it keeps everything in focus within the frame, so the foreground (the water), the mid-ground (the pier, boat, and buildings) and the background (the mountains) are all in focus.

Tofino Harbor, Vancouver Island. Shot with at 17mm Fuji lens.

Sometimes when I leave my Fuji camera at home, I pull out my Google Pixel phone, which takes decent photos. Many smartphones have sophisticated features and capabilities like shooting panoramas. I captured this expansive 180 degree view of Vancouver harbor from our friends’ apartment window. The ability to shoot panoramas opens up many possibilities.

Harbor View, Vancouver, B.C.

As I’m experimenting with wide angle photography, I’m picking up a few tips from the experts.

  • Before you shoot, identify a subject of interest. In the photo below, I was fascinated by the rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park and wanted to highlight them.
  • Include features in the foreground to help the viewer get a sense of the distance between the camera and the subject. In this same photo, I included some oddly-shaped trees in the foreground to give the viewer a sense of place (the desert) , a sense of scale (the relative size of the massive rock), and a sense of distance between the camera, the trees, and the rock.
Joshua Tree, Wide Angle View
  • Try varying your perspective by shooting upward or downward. This may open up other details that you hadn’t noticed before.

For example, in my final image, I shot upwards, capturing the architectural details of the Sydney Opera House as well as bits of cloud and sky. I believe this skyward view adds depth and interest to the photo. Do you agree?

Looking Up. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

For this week’s LAPC #165, we invite you to go wide and “broaden” your photographic horizons. We’re looking forward to seeing your wide-angle views of people, places, and objects taken on your camera or smartphone. Most of all, have fun “going wide!”

Last week, Sofia’s Up/Down challenge gave us a wonderful chance to change our perspective and share images captured while looking up and down. A special thanks to Sofia for her creative and inspiring theme and for hosting the challenge!

Next week, it’s Ann-Christine’s turn to lead the challenge, so be sure to stop by her site for some terrific inspiration.  

In closing, I’d like to share few lines from a poem by John Donne as we mark the 20th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 bombings in New York City.

No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; … any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne, Meditation XVII

Be well, be safe and have an inspiring week.

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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228 replies »

  1. Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #165 – Going Wide | Travels and Trifles
  2. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challange 165: “go wide” – MyBlog – solaner

    • Hi, Anne. Glad you like this one! Wonderful. I’m looking forward to your post, too. The Pixel is great. I have an older one (#2), but the #6 is coming out soon. Hopefully, I’ll get an upgrade. 😀

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  5. hi patti
    the opera house amazes me how it has so many looks and moods! and your wide angle shot with that tone had me exploring the photo a lot
    –
    i am now off to consider my take on this theme – have a nice day

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  6. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: Going Wide — P.A. Moed – ° BLOG ° Gabriele Romano

      • It was horrifying watching the second plane fly into the second tower live on TV as well as watching both towers collapse one after the other. I was in Lower Manhattan 2 weeks after the attack and area still had particles floating around and buildings looked like sacks of white flour dumped on them.

        Liked by 1 person

    • Hi, Rusha. Thanks for your kind words. (Big smile.) Once a teacher, always a teacher, as they say!! I’m learning bit by bit. Photography is really a great interest/hobby because you can learn as much as you want!

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  13. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: Going Wide | The Showers of Blessings

    • Hi, Miriam. Thank you! I enjoyed your tour of great cities, too. The opera house was challenging, I thought, because I wanted to get a unique perspective. I think the one here was one of my last shots that day. It took a while to get the right perspective! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  15. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Going Wide | scillagrace

  19. Excellent challenge Patti – and some great suggestions. I really had to think about this one. I especially loved your composition on the Opera House and the use of monochrome – fantastic. Also, I struggle with panoramas, they always seem to come out a bit wonky – yours is perfect. Wonder if it’s me or my iPhone?!

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    • Hi, Tina. It definitely takes practice to get the pano right. I think the pano here is the first one I’m happy with!! 😀. Glad you like the SOH. It took a while to get the right perspective. It’s funny how we all “default” to the standard view!!

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      • No, the S10 is my good old trusty smart phone, but takes pretty good photos. I have a canon power shot but can’t get to grips with it, you need a very steady hand for photos not to come out blurred

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  22. Pingback: LENS-ARTISTS CHALLENGE #165 – Go Wide – John's Space …..
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    • Hi, SH. Glad you joined us! Yes, the vista of Vancouver Harbor is varied…with industry and famous sites like the convention center. I think it’s unusual to have so much “sky” still visible in an urban area. The views are just spectacular with the water, sky, and mountains. Glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed your image, too.

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  28. Pingback: Going Wide – Anvica's gallery
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  32. That image of the Syndey Opera House is my favorite. Black and white, and an angle from which I’ve never seen the building portrayed.

    You struck upon one of my favorite photo styles this week with panoramics and super-wide angles. I am looking forward to sharing some of my favorite wide-angle images. As it’s been said, what’s worth doing is worth overdoing. >grin<

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    • Glad you like the SOH, John! I am happy my time there shooting every possible angle ended up with a good shot. It’s great that shooting wide is one of your favorite types of photo styles. Looking forward to seeing your shots.

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  39. Pingback: lens-artists photo challenge going wide – photo roberts blog

  40. I was never really a landscape photographer, until fairly recently when I moved where it was easier to get out into the countryside. Until then my focus was on details and flower photography. Travelling to other countries also enabled me to attempt landscapes, though probably more snapshots than focusing on a particular point of view. I actually have a similar shot of your Tofino image, and I took many different shots of the Sydney Opera house, though again mostly focusing on the detailing of those tiles. I shall have a look and see what I can find – most likely to be from close to home!

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  42. Pingback: Moderately Wide – mazeepuran (माझे e-पुराण)
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  53. Love all your examples, Patti! Panoramas are really great, but i’m afraid I seldom try it. Yours is fantastic! I also love the Sydney Operahouse – never seen it from that angle. Fun challenge – I’ll see what I can do…

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    • Hi, AC. I have to admit that I don’t use the panorama feature on my phone very much, but some of the participants here have inspired me to try it on my Fuji. I’m delighted you like the SOH. I must admit I shot it from dozens of angles that day, but I like this one the best. Looking forward to seeing your “wide” shots!! I hope it’s a good week for photography in Sweden. 😀

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  54. Pingback: Gallery: taking a wider view in Botswana - Travel with me

  55. Your harbour panorama is great and I really like that angle on the Sydney Opera House – it’s hard to find a fresh view on a place so often photographed but you’ve managed it 🙂 As I use a bridge camera I don’t have a wide angle lens per se but I do like to take a wider view sometimes so that’s what I’ve tried to show with this challenge: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-taking-a-wider-view-in-botswana/

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    • Hi, Sarah. Thanks! I frankly took dozens of photos of the SOH before getting that shot!! My patience was rewarded. 😀. What lens do you use on your bridge camera? It’s a Lumix, right? I went to a mirrorless Fuji to make my kit lighter for traveling. Much lighter than my Canon set up! Thanks as always for your thoughts!!

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  56. The clouds in that pano of the harbour in Vancouver! Nice!

    I like the last two specially. Monochrome works so well with some architecture, and especially that you got the famous curves from a sufficiently different angle. The Joshua tree looks nice, but it is the colours which is the standout in that shot for me: the sky and the stone

    Wide open spaces

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    • I always appreciate your thoughts on my images, IJ. I think you’re right about the colors in the Joshua Tree image. I shot at twilight with a professional photographer who knew where the light was the best. The rocks seemed to glow! Very magical. And yes, the angle is different on the SOH….after many captures I finally got a different perspective that I was happy with!! I also enjoyed your wide open spaces post! Very atmospheric and moody images! Lovely.

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  57. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge -#165- Going wide – nowathome
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    • Hi, Amy. Thank you, thank you!! I am very happy with the Sydney images…a rare thing! I’m never satisfied! I’m delighted with the response to this challenge. It’s been so much fun going wide with everyone! Your images were a wonderful addition to our collection this week. 😀😀

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  64. Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #165: Going Wide – Cee's Photo Challenges

    • Hi, Rusha. Thank you, too! I am learning bit by bit. 😀😀The Sydney shot was my reward after taking dozens of shots! I was determined to get a different perspective so I walked all around the site for quite a while. I also enjoyed your collection this week. Fabulous shots. I especially love the one of the temple in your opener.

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  68. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: Going Wide – TC Conner Photography
  69. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: GOING WIDE | Kanlaon

    • Hi, Anthro. Lovely to see you here. Thanks too for your kind words about my photos! I’m delighted you shared your happiness when seeing a theatrical performance after a long wait! Take care and have a good week.

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  71. I loved your photo of Tofino, Patti! I went fishing there years ago. I loved the sights but my tummy didn’t love the rough seas. 😉 I also liked your Sydney photo – I’ve never seen it from that angle.

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    • So you were in Tofino! It’s a beautiful spot. We had lunch there a few weeks ago and walked around the town and harbor. I think it’s safe to say you’ll never find me on a fishing expedition!! You were brave to try it! And thanks too for your kind words on the Sydney image. My patience was rewarded!

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  72. Pingback: Lens Artist Challenge – Going Wide | Mama Cormier
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    • Hi, Anita. It does look like sculpture, doesn’t it? I’m delighted you joined us. I love seeing all these wide images this week! I love those stunning red boulders in AZ and the desert landscape. Great choices.

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  103. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165 – Going Wide – Wandering Dawgs
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  111. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #165: Going Wide in New Zealand – Away We Go

    • Hi, Marlena. I’m delighted you joined us and share some great wide-angle images of NZ. I think your gardens image is an example of how a wide-angle image can convey the scale and majesty of a building.

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  113. Pingback: Wide – Wanderlustig
  115. Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge -Going Wide | Isadora Art and Photography

    • Hi, Isadora. Why, thank you! I’m delighted you like them. I’m always wondering if I can find appropriate photos for every weekly challenge! The interior isn’t as dramatic, I thought. It seems a bit dated. But still, it’s a great architectural wonder. Rightly so. And thanks for sharing those wonderful Caribbean blues! Lovely!

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      • Awww … that’s disappointing. I guess when it was first built it was all about the architecture outside. You have the memory in your photo.
        I struggle with my weekly photos because I always want to post something people haven’t seen or visited. I’m overjoyed when I do find photos that bring a smile or awe.
        Thanks for hosting this week.

        Liked by 1 person

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  123. Pingback: Great Blue Heron’s Guest…Swimming Deer? | Babsje Heron

  124. Hi Patti

    Are you still in the PNW or were you able to escape before the atmospheric river flowed into Vancouver? I really like your photo of the Tofino Harbor. It has such a New England vibe, doesn’t it? And your panorama of the Vancouver Harbor is striking. i had no idea that a Pixel Phone could produce such high-quality photos!

    Here’s my offering for this week – a happy series of a swimming deer

    Great Blue Heron’s Guest…Swimming Deer?

    Best, Babsje

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    • Hi, Babsje. Yes, we are still in the PNW. The weather is changing from summer to fall, with more rain coming. But today it’s sunny and beautiful. We’ll go out for a long walk again. Thanks for your kind words about the Tofino image…and yes, it does look New England-ish! Yes, the Pixel (even my old one) takes decent shots. I enjoyed your post, too! You documented that moment with the deer so beautifully!

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  125. Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #165: Going Wide - My Colorful Expressions
  126. Pingback: My Photo Week in Review: 09-19-2021 – Musin' With Susan

  128. Hi, Sylvia. Many thanks! I love the feeling of satisfaction when I follow the experts’ tips and my photos improve! I enjoyed your images, too. I’m still thinking about the colorful barn!

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