When you think of landscape photography, you probably imagine wide-angle lenses capturing sweeping vistas, right? That’s the conventional wisdom, after all. “Use a wide-angle lens for landscape photography,” they say. But what if I told you that’s not always the case? In this guide, I’m going to share tips on how to use telephoto lenses to capture stunning landscapes that defy the usual norms.
Breaking the Mold: Think Beyond Wide-Angle
Wide-angle lenses are indeed fantastic for capturing expansive landscapes. I use them often. However, they’re not the only option in your photography toolkit. As I combed through my image catalog for this article, I realized that many of my favorite shots were taken with lenses other than wide-angle ones. Many of these were shot in the 70-200mm range, and some with super telephotos at 500mm or 600mm.
For those who frequently shoot landscapes, you’ll know that sometimes a wide-angle lens simply doesn’t cut it. Here are some scenarios and tips on when to reach for a telephoto lens for your landscape photography.
50-100mm: The Versatile Short Telephoto
Just beyond the “normal” lens range lies the short telephoto. Common zoom lenses, such as the 24-70mm and 24-105mm, fall into this category. These lenses retain much of the depth of field characteristics of standard lenses while offering a slightly narrower field of view, perfect for capturing large landscape features like entire mountains or wide river bends.
Depth of Field: Even at wider apertures, short telephotos offer substantial depth of field. Use high f-stops (like f/11 or f/16) to keep everything sharp.
Composition: This range simplifies compositions by focusing on substantial landscape elements while still including significant portions of the sky or foreground, maintaining the essence of traditional landscape shots.
Example: At 100mm, I captured the intricate details of Denali and the Alaska Range from Talkeetna, Alaska, creating a powerful and intimate landscape image.
100-200mm: The Mid-Range Marvel
As I reviewed my Lightroom catalog, I found that the 100-200mm range is surprisingly versatile for landscapes. This range allows you to isolate elements of the scene, creating compositions that highlight patterns and details that might be lost with a wide-angle lens.
Isolation: This focal length is excellent for isolating components of a landscape, telling a story through details rather than a broad view.
Depth of Field: With everything in the frame far away, it’s easier to maintain depth of field, keeping your image sharp from front to back.
Example: On a hike in Northwestern Alaska, I used a mid-range telephoto to capture a storm rolling over the Kelly River, focusing on the dramatic interplay of light and landscape elements.
200-400mm: The Long Telephoto Lens
When conditions call for it, a long telephoto lens can save a shoot. For instance, in Bhutan’s Himalayas, dense fog and narrow views demanded a long telephoto to capture the sunlit peaks emerging from the mist.
Narrow Views: Long telephotos excel in isolating distant subjects, making them appear larger and more prominent within the frame.
Composition: These lenses require careful composition due to their shallow depth of field. Select your focal point wisely to convey the story effectively.
Example: At 300mm, I captured a mountain peak emerging through the clouds in the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, turning a detail into a dramatic and abstract subject.
400mm and Above: The Super-Telephoto Realm
Super-telephoto lenses (500mm and 600mm) are rare in landscape photography due to their size and expense. However, they offer unique perspectives that can transform your landscape shots.
Compression and Isolation: Super-telephotos compress distances, making elements that are miles apart appear close. This effect can create striking and unique compositions.
Details: These lenses are perfect for isolating patterns and details, providing a different perspective than the human eye.
Example: Using a 500mm lens, I captured the full moon rising over the Andes in Bolivia, highlighting intricate details that would be lost with a wide-angle lens.
Conclusion
Telephoto lenses are often overlooked in landscape photography, but they shouldn’t be. They can reveal new perspectives and details that wide-angle lenses might miss. So, next time you head out with your camera, don’t leave your telephoto lens behind. It might just help you capture the landscape in a whole new light.
Tips Recap:
Think Beyond Wide-Angle: Don’t limit yourself; explore other focal lengths.
50-100mm: Simplify compositions while retaining depth of field.
100-200mm: Isolate and highlight patterns in the landscape.
200-400mm: Use for narrow views and dramatic compositions.
400mm+: Compress distances and isolate intricate details.