Travel is an amazing journey of chasing beautiful sceneries and experiencing different cultures. During the journey, choosing the right lens for photography enthusiasts is just like selecting the most accurate observation tool for this visual feast.
Wide – angle Lens: Collector of the Vast World
The wide – angle lens is a powerful assistant in travel photography. Its focal length is usually below 35mm, enabling it to capture wider scenes. When you stand on the edge of the magnificent Grand Canyon or in the middle of the square in an ancient city, the wide – angle lens can completely record the vastness and grandeur in front of you. It can exaggerate the foreground, creating a strong perspective effect in the picture. For example, when shooting seashells on the beach, the effect of near – large and far – small can make the picture highly impactful. Moreover, in narrow streets or indoor spaces, the wide – angle lens also has an advantage, incorporating more environmental elements and showing the unique architectural style and humanistic atmosphere of the local area.
Standard Lens: Restorer of the Real World
The standard lens has a focal length close to the human eye’s perspective, usually between 40 – 60mm. The picture effect it shoots is the closest to the real scene seen by the human eye. The advantage of this lens during travel lies in its excellent imaging quality and natural perspective effect. Whether it is shooting passers – by on the street or the dazzling array of goods in the local market, the standard lens can faithfully restore the colors and details. When shooting portraits, it can avoid the facial distortion that the wide – angle lens may cause, and it will not compress the space like the telephoto lens, making the relationship between the character and the background look natural and harmonious. For photographers who want to record the real moments during travel, the standard lens is indispensable.
Telephoto Lens: Bringing the Distant Beautiful Scenery Closer
The telephoto lens usually has a focal length above 70mm. When we encounter targets that we cannot approach during travel, the telephoto lens comes in handy. For example, when shooting a lion in the distance on the African savannah or looking at an ancient castle in the distance from the top of a mountain, the telephoto lens can bring the distant object closer, allowing us to clearly capture the details. It can also effectively blur the background, highlighting the subject and making the picture more concise and clear. When shooting the sunrise or sunset, the telephoto lens can compress the distance between the sun and the horizon, creating a spectacular and mysterious atmosphere. In addition, when shooting some local – characteristic folk performances, the telephoto lens can capture wonderful moments without disturbing the performers.
Macro Lens: Explorer of the Microscopic World
Don’t overlook the microscopic beauty during travel, and this is when the macro lens is needed. Whether it is a brightly – colored wild flower or the delicate texture on an ancient wall, the macro lens can show their amazing details. It can magnify the tiny world that is usually ignored by us, presenting a brand – new visual field. During the journey, the macro lens enables us to discover more wonders hidden in the ordinary, adding a different kind of interest to travel photography.
When choosing travel lenses, the travel destination, the shooting theme, and personal photography habits need to be considered. If it is a city – culture – themed travel, perhaps a standard lens and a wide – angle lens are sufficient; if you are going to a nature reserve, a telephoto lens and a wide – angle lens are essential; if you want to capture the subtle beauty during the journey, the macro lens is also worth bringing. Select the lenses carefully, and let them become the eyes for us to capture beautiful moments during travel, turning each journey into an eternal visual memory.
