Tilt Shift Lens Basics for Interior & Architecture Photography

If you photograph interiors, architecture, or real estate and don't currently use a tilt shift lens yet, watch this video to get a better understanding of the basics.
More educational resources for architecture, interiors, and real estate photographers: adamtaylorphotos.com/education/
Follow me on Instagram: / adamtaylorphotos
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Adam Taylor is a Hawaii interior and architecture photographer based in Oahu, and servicing all islands, including Maui, Kauai, and Big Island.

[@trueperceptionimages7347]

first time seeing someone do a stitched pano with a TS lens! Mindblown haha

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Awesome! They work great!

[@TaylorBrownPhotoVideo]

Great Video! I want to get the 24 and maybe 50 at some point for sure :)

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Thanks Taylor! If you want to shoot A/D on a high level, they are a must!

[@reallyreallyronron]

This video was so helpful! I’d love to see some examples where you would use the TS-E 90mm or 135mm. I’m going to buy the 17, 24, and the 50 for sure thanks to this video. Just don’t know when I’d use the 90 or 135

[@adamtaylorphotos]

I’ve never used either of those. A few times I used the 50mm with the 2x extender when shooting commercial exterior details from far away though. I also have a 70-200m lens that I used on rare occasion. So for me, no need for the extra expense for the 90 and/or 135 TS.

[@reallyreallyronron]

Thanks for the advice! Super helpful 🙏🙏

[@adamtaylorphotos]

@@reallyreallyronron Happy to help!

[@p.burley4533]

Almost bypassed this video because I have the 24. So glad I watched anyway: I was only using it for stitching and didn’t know it corrected verticals. It should, for $2000. Perhaps more importantly, I never knew stretch-correcting was “creating pixels out of thin air.” I am immediately done with that.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephenkarlisch2090]

just a quick correction in regards to your comment about stitching two frames, when the lens moves you WILL have issues with alignment, especially if anything is close to the camera, the optimal way to do this is to shift the body, or sensor and keep the lens stationary, i.e. how a technical camera works.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

I don’t have any experience with a technical camera or shifting the body… But I have never had issues stitching by shifting the lens and have done it many times in various scenarios. I’m curious about what type of issues you’re referring to.

[@skr2345]

​@@adamtaylorphotos This is so called parallax effect issue. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Parallax.gif

[@robbit4butterfly]

Another correction: in order to post-produce the shift effect you don't have to necessarily stretch a part of the image and render new pixels. You can also squeeze the other part of the image, lose some pixels and keep the unaltered quality of the picture. Of course this requires a sufficient cardrage or you will draw off-picture area in.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Fair point!

[@justinmartin3170]

Great video. I’d love to hear your thoughts on polarizers also.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Thanks for watching! I love using CPL filters… Maybe I’ll do a video on them next! Thanks for the idea.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYTWlKBvpq-lkLM

[@maciejsojka4132]

Which of the three would you recommend if you had a budget for only one ? Would it be 24?

[@adamtaylorphotos]

That depends on what you shoot most often and what other lenses you have. But yeah, generally speaking the 24 is probably a safe bet to start. Especially if you can get it used and then also get the 1.4x.

[@CraigCapello]

Any advice for when the shifted images don't line up perfectly (shifted panos)? Is the lens shift just getting loose? Does the lens need service or is it just something that happens over time?

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Not sure about your situation, but it's pretty hard to get the levels PERFECTLY straight... So that might be why it is tough to get lined up. Try using the "Photomerge" feature in Photoshop instead of trying to stitch manually.

[@CraigCapello]

@@adamtaylorphotos Thank you Adam. You’re the best

[@adamtaylorphotos]

@@CraigCapello My pleasure! Glad to help.

[@oliviertorres8001]

Is it the Canon App on the Video? Does it worth it? I use a Camranger 2 right now. Thks.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

I use the CamRanger 1. I like the CR interface and functions better than the Canon app.

[@1duesy]

What focal length do you recommend for photographing, say, a 150 ft tall building approximately 75 from the base at ground level?

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Hard to say unless I’m actually there. Every scenario is different. I keep all my lenses (and an extender) with me at all times and just try them all until I find what works best to meet my (and my client’s) goals on any given scenario.

[@1duesy]

@@adamtaylorphotos ok, thx. If you were to start with just one lens, what would it be? Tall interiors and multi story buildings.

[@adamtaylorphotos]

@@1duesy 24mm with 1.4x is definitely most versatile combo. I’d start there.

[@1duesy]

@@adamtaylorphotos thx!

[@reallyreallyronron]

what leveling tripod head is that at :22 ??

[@adamtaylorphotos]

I use the Arca Swiss Cube tripod head. It's expensive, but if you're building a legit career out of this kind of work, it's well worth it in my opinion.

[@reallyreallyronron]

Literally gonna buy it b/c of this video. Thanks man!

[@adamtaylorphotos]

@@reallyreallyronron Haha, awesome! Wish I got a commission! 🤣

[@living.my.life.]

Surprised you did not mention distortion. Turn camera right/left and shift back opposite direction to reduce distortion like large chairs

[@adamtaylorphotos]

I actually never use that technique (so I just didn't think about it for the video)... I don't tend to line up comps that are wide angle or close to objects very often. So this scenario just doesn't really enter into my work flow ever.

[@living.my.life.]

@@adamtaylorphotos very interesting, I think its diffidently one of those tricks to have in your goodie bag though, wonder if there are other neat tricks.

[@weltonmediawmi]

Great video, I've been curious about tilt shifts but not ready to pull the trigger on one just yet. Please don't edit the title :)

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Cool, that’s exactly why I made this…you are not alone!

[@CarlyWaarly]

So holding the lens gives you a ridiculous face?

[@adamtaylorphotos]

Exactly… I’m glad you get it. 🤣

[@brandonlee1292]

Tilt shit? 😂

[@adamtaylorphotos]

OMG!!! 😂😂😂