Photography | How to put a WIDE ANGLE ZOOM lens to good use

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In this video, I share some of my insights into the use of a wide-angle lens for landscape photography. Including a strong foreground is an excellent way to add depth and drama to a landscape photograph but sometimes too much of a good thing can be a detriment to the final image especially if the foreground does not relate or add anything to the scene.
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In this video, I head over to the Outer Hebrides. Photograph some beautiful coastline on the Isle of Harris and Lewis and an amazing morning at a hidden Loch.
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[@kenharnish5778]

I don’t know why but I learn more from your videos than anyone else’s. You have such a down to earth style. You break your compositions down to easy to understand steps. I’m really grateful for your videos and your photos. Thank you so much!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

I appreciate that!

[@rodmehta5356]

I agree. There used to be this fototripper dude also, but I think he's into recording flatulence nowadays. 🙃

[@martinoberstein8431]

These structures, patterns and colors are gorgeous and so well photographed and edited! Thank you very much again for your enthusiasm and craftmanship, Adam!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@marvinburbach]

Wow. Some of these close-ups are outstanding, but the one at 19:20 is my definite favourite. It reminds me of an ancient map with rivers and hills and I can’t help but interpret a lot of life and story into it. I don’t see stones anymore, I see a whole world hidden. Really inspirational and moving content. 👍🏼

[@janwilson6145]

agreed ❤

[@keithsandercock1412]

The 'layers' images are terrific! Otherworldly colours.

[@lynnecliffe3056]

Oh the beauty of life lines set to music. Thank you Adam for sharing your eye.

[@LandscapeFotografi]

I'm from Indonesia, thank you for the tips and experiences that are always shared, always successful 📸📸📸

[@DennisBater]

The last three or four images were for me, by far the best... well done!

[@davemenard5089]

Yes! Those images at the end are what I’ve been waiting for, this is where you’re at your strongest IMO. What a location!

[@mickboreham8482]

These rock formations are stunning, fantastic pictures. I wish I had this creative eye for composition.

[@1young-geezer]

YOU JUST FLOORED ME W/ THIS VIDEO! O man, not only a really SUPERB intro, you had to share w/ us some outstanding painterly abstract and hugely colorful rock formations. I've followed your jouneys for a while, long while, and it's GREAT to be back among choice sites and your eye. Thank you. Unbelievable location.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianmckeever5280]

Wow! Nice images. I may have to lookup how that geology happened! The layers are incredible.

[@kevins8575]

Great images! My wife loves images of textures; she would have stayed there taking endless photos until the tide took her out to sea

[@felixdesrochers7072]

We love you Adam !!!

[@spidersj12]

Your cliff face geology photos of shale or siltstone remind me of my thesis area in Nova Scotia. I took tons of photos as examples of the strata for documentation for scientific paper writing. But it makes sense given that Box Scotia and the UK used to be joined together during the last supercontinent before opening up of the Atlantic

[@viviennenoble4035]

Amazing texture photos Adam. The patterns look like some of the areas on the South Coast of NSW Australia.

[@edphoto]

The photo at 18.03 looks like a painterly abstract of the tide against a cliff face... Really like that one 👍

[@davebenson1504]

I am always cognizant of your efforts to insure they are no or minimum overlaps in the elements in the frame... wonderful attention to detail 🙂 the grass makes a possible counter point/contrast to the rock... organic vs inorganic... I prefer the 2nd one... perhaps because of the rock in front of the big slab was too close 🤔 the 2nd one feels a little better balanced to my eye and the rocks appear to be cradled like a nest with the cliff face 🙂 and I always love the intimate landscapes/linescapes.... the wide angle perspective really shines at 15:15 mark 🥰 WOW... I could spend ALL day at the 17:00 location, such incredible details, lines, textures and colour🤩 Thank You!

[@Simon_PieMan]

19:06 is the winner for me - brill.

[@SD_Alias]

14:46 Thats why i like using the tilting display and knee pads in my trousers. 😀

[@carljarvinen1189]

Awesome rock patterns, especially those blues and golden colors. Thanks for sharing…

[@jamiemills4460]

Thank you. Top video. Loved the colours in the rocks and your compositions were outstanding.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@CalebWeston_dubland]

Beautiful location! The rocks are quite striking. They remind me a lot of the rocks we have on the California coast. So cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@valpayne2963]

Your close-ups have so much interest, texture, colour, detail and intrigue. For me, far more emotive and interesting than the wider shots. I can easily see huge prints on walls. What fabulous rocks. Thanks Adam.

[@anja5758]

Stunning series of images!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@janroos7518]

Beautiful photos, and very clearly explained and advised. I learn a lot!!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Great to hear!

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Thank you for this video. I have a 14-24mm and it's my least used lens. I shall now take it out with me more often.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martingoff-jones2184]

Great vlog, thank you Adam. Mind you, when I saw you laying on the beach my first thought was “My God, he’s been Tango’d!!” 🤣🤣

[@PMCN53]

WOW! such an abundance of amazing geological color and shapes. I do love the last few images particularly!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@stevemarson9665]

Love the images..... brings back great memories of my trips to the Asturian coast. Tempted to go again ..... maybe with Alistair 2024.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

We'll be running another couple of trips again next year of you're interested.

[@seventhsun1]

I can see some amazing "portfolio" shots here! Well done.

[@philliplivingstone5336]

Stunning!

[@CapricornGirl9]

Great tips, thank you!

[@mortenandersen6313]

Wauoo..... The image at 14.25 is amazing - it looks like drawing/painting.... And the image at 19.10 I would love to have at My wall. Just stunning

[@iank1638]

Stunning photos and a wonderful video Adam , thank you !

[@hurleygreen927]

GREAT TUTORIAL! It's E-Z to see why so many contemporary photographers prefer Wide-angle lenses! Thanks...

[@QuietLightPhoto]

You bet!

[@seantomlinson3320]

This is beautiful. Neat place and terrific job explaining.

[@jennifercrouse]

Damn, now I want to go to Spain. Those rocks!!❤❤❤

[@ritamoll4347]

Very nice Images Adam, thanks for the video.

[@kurtkuznicki6207]

Looks like you’re having a good time in Spain with AB. Nice vlog, awesome images, and I enjoyed the music. The music works well with the images.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@robinmartin1395]

Beautiful place, as usual awesome photographs! The patterns in the rock face look like roads circling through a landscape. Amazing.

[@gregs2466]

Adam, very beautiful!

[@lylestavast7652]

Lovely results Adam.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks 👍

[@kenklontz1945]

As always great information

[@BriBarnhamPhotography]

The last location was amazing Adam, could spend a while on that stretch of beach 👍

[@QuietLightPhoto]

It really is!

[@erkko69]

Great videos again!!!🦜🌷🌴🐘🌲👍🌄!!!!

[@andrewsimpson5436]

HaHa I thought the tree on top of the cliff was what got you out of your sickbed but the rocks certainly win! Beatiful structures and colour!

[@davidskinner274]

Hi Adam. What wonderful colour, brilliant lines, form annd textures. I would love to have a go at these cliffs with my 105 macro sigma.

[@billpelzmann1030]

Incredibly beautiful rocks !!

[@larrysalaets7088]

Stunning images, Adam! What a beautiful location. I love the various colours of the rocky cliff, and as always, you have captured the scene stunningly! Looks like another world.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@lcador9]

No real favorite as each offers a different points of view. I believe the greater value is in the wonderful collection as a whole which would make an outstanding presentation in print. I also did like the quick image of you lying on the rocks (20:46) which, if formalized, would have told a unique and impactful story, sure caught my eye. All together, one of my favorite videos in a long time.

[@johnround8311]

I like the last photo best overall.

[@robertnystrom289]

It was an understatement that the 'second' set of rocks had potential! When you were panning around, I could see there were a few angles that I would lust for...

[@Bujia.]

Had much of the same photos you create in that place Adam! You can spend days making photos of those beautifull rocks

[@mikebartow9415]

Truly amazing scenery! I liked the first photo.

[@juanitakelly3082]

Your skill at composition shines through as always. Such gorgeous rocks - wow! Really loved this video!!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MrCNMW]

Gorgeous patterns 👍

[@stevewashko5963]

Spain! Rocks? Wow!

[@thanko1]

Fantastic video, Adam. A couple of the second batch of rock patterns kind of looked like Picasso landscapes. What a cool place and well photographed.

[@christophertaylor7021]

Great set of images Adam. I especially liked the one at 19:03, it really triggers my imagination, I can't stop looking at it.

[@steveking6204]

Great video.

[@edwardnelson2728]

I have never seen anything like those rock formations. WOW

[@wild_about_scotland]

Those last 3 images of the rock formations are absolutely stunning.

[@denisesavage2382]

W O W . . . . those rock patterns . . . . .

[@ronboe6325]

For the most part I prefer the close ups of the rock veins; but there is a bias at work, being influenced by geology friends (and classes) so I'm keen on what story the rocks might be telling me. But also by your work and others with old wood grain - very similar look. Interesting how ones own backstory influences how we compose a shot.

[@amateurambience]

great ocean view! I enjoy it a lot! thanks for sharing my friend! big like 1989, friends from Taiwan!

[@billwinward9324]

That final section with the rock patterns - simply beautiful. Every one a picture I wish I had taken.

[@furbs9999]

Looking at that amazing swirling cliff, with all the colours makes me wonder if there wasn't a close horizontal pano shot of just the rock face.

[@krimke881]

I would absolutely go on with closeups of those patterns in the rock. some of them would be brilliant also in b&w

[@scooter5193]

Nice shots Adam. Some of the later rock shots almost look like drone shots of the Grand Canyon. Thanks for the tips on using wide angle lenses. All the best, Scott

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks 👍

[@badger67]

Living in Valencia with a wife who adores geology, I have to ask you, where on the northern shoreline is this wonderful place? Beautiful images as ever boss.

[@peteberkery9652]

Well you outdid yourself. I thought the colors from the Rockies video with the water were crazy good. But the colors in the rocks is phenomenal. About the 16 minute mark. Pls educate me, what’s your take on how an image would have looked if you lowered the camera down another 2 feet. Don’t get me wrong, just trying to get an education. Likely some of your greatest work.

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome buddy

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks for the visit

[@Alister_Benn]

@@QuietLightPhoto it was a paid visit ❤️ thanks for the sandwich

[@sebastianberes]

Thank you for the fantastic episode. Btw I don't know if you are aware of it, but your affiliate links don't include your affiliate code. If someone just clicks on them enter a regular website without your affiliate code. People would have to highlight and copy the entire link.

[@jeffmaronphotography]

This is a very helpful video on composition, very well done Adam. I appreciate in ALL of your videos how you work hard to find compositions. I have learnt this from you and I will spend 2 hours or more bending, laying and standing tall trying to look for the best composition of a particular photo. You have made me a better photographer and I sincerely thank you for that. I'm always referring to my wife when we go for a walk, when she cannot find a composition, that "Adam Gibbs would find a shot that would probably blow your mind", lol.

[@JayGrapherTh]

an idea just popped in my head wanting to experiment with some shift lens on those rocks at the end of the video to make something that looks like real landscapes when its actually small rock formations - dont know if its possible very interesting landscapes and amazing color images this video

[@duncanwallace7760]

Your photo at 19:14 was particularly stunning. It looked like a painting of mountain ranges and river valleys. I wonder how the rocks ended up with those amazing colors?

[@chriscockett106]

I love the close-ups! Especially the one at 19:17. I know you like to add context with the foreground rocks and sand but l find they weaken the image.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Great tips. I love using the distortion of a wide angle lens to really make unique compositions and exaggerate certain scenes. Great images!

[@fadeoutfadein]

fantastic video Adam! As someone who struggles with composition using wide-angle lenses, I especially liked the part when you showed in live view how the focal length influences the relationship between foreground and background!

[@ddki9094]

The tip about moving back and zooming in with the wide angle lens is something I have never thought of trying. I was on a trip to Lake Superior a month ago, had some trouble finding a composition I really liked; plenty of interesting things but almost too busy and I never even considered zooming in/moving back a little ways....It might have made a difference. Lesson learned on this one. Great shots too!

[@georgemanny]

Nice thoughts. Pls share how to use fish lens effectively.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

I do t use a fish eye lens sorry

[@esusolinas]

19:03 gtreat photo

[@grgdavis2]

Listening to your thought process behind the image is incredibly helpful and very much appreciated Adam!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Looks like your experience is similar to mine. When I shoot very wide angle, it's almost always in portrait orientation. I may crop down to square; but distortions are just too much in landscape orientation and I can get closer to the foreground when the camera is vertical. Re the image at 10:00: any thought of cloning out that rock poking out of l the lower left corner? That, or including the whole rock? Thanks.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Possibly darken it a bit more?

[@ginaherold]

Beautiful images! Your patience is always an inspiration, Adam. I keep reminding myself that I need to practice patience more often, and maybe eventually I can be this chill too :) I’m planning to walk the Camino del Norte, and this area is a danger to my backpack weight. It makes me want to bring all of my gear plus tripod, but then I have to carry it all on my back for a month 😬

[@cliffnieuwenhuis8638]

Beautiful photography and excellent video. Now I want to experiment with my wide angle lens some more! But I'm curious: I know you know how to clone out things, so what prevents you from cloning out a tuft of grass that you don't feel fits right in the composition? (first image). Is it a personal commitment to be true to the scene or is it an understood rule among professional landscape photographers not to alter the permanent elements of natural settings, even in post processing?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Well cloning it out would be an option. I don't mind cloning stuff out but this what a pretty big tuft o I decided to work around it.

[@c.alcazar2584]

Love the picts.,one question why did you use so low shutter when you are taking picts of the rocks.what a beautiful place, The Northern coast of Spain is really beautiful....

[@QuietLightPhoto]

low iso, small aperture

[@seth.graham]

That laying-down shot @15:21 is great stuff, digging the color contrast as well as the shape contrast. Excellent find. And then there's the close up shots towards the end.. hard to pick a favorite.

[@georgefrench1907]

That cliff is a geologist’s dream. OK, a photographer’s dream, too. 👍

[@johnkosterimages]

This was really helpful, Adam. I'm always at a loss when I get wider than 17mm with my zoom as to how to get the best out of the field of view.

[@ryanlawnphotography]

Gad Damn!

[@johnround8311]

The first as there is less clutter.

[@marcuswagar7246]

The second.

[@markflanagan521]

The last set of photographs are just beautiful, colour, texture, fine detail and the compositions create a balanced symphony holding ones eyes for a mesmeric perceived study👍 Top drawer

[@petermcilroy5742]

Loved this video - at first I thought - "why not just use a longer focal length and stand back a bit further?", but I can see that the use of wide angle really adds to the abstract nature and interest that you can achieve with these rock structures.

[@brucethomson3191]

Tuft of grass. Pull it out, smooth things over.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Joking aside, nature first.

[@Tids_]

I don't really understand these, I'm afraid

[@QuietLightPhoto]

What’s to understand?