Project 10: focal lengths and different viewpoints

This project was all about making a difference in perspective by changing your viewpoint as you change lenses.   The idea was to find a scene with enough space in front of it to allow a choice of viewpoints, from near to far.   I found an interesting subject; an apartment block on the Tel Aviv waterfront with a very definate Art Deco feel to it (this building would not of been out of place on Miami Beach).

The first picture was with my telephoto lens, making a tightly framed composition of the apartment block from distance.   I thought there would be enough space to allow a bigger difference in perspective, but unfortunately , due to other buildings and major roads, this was about the furthest I could get away.

Picture 1 – 52mm, f11, 1/60, ISO 640

Because of the lack of open space, I was only able to move forward about 50 metres.   It does make quite a difference to the perspective, but not quite as much as I was expecting.

Picture 2 – 20mm, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 640

Although there is a change in perspective between the two pictures, it is not as dramatic as I thought – it would of been interesting to see what the difference would of been had I been able to take the first picture at 200mm focal length.   I knew what effect to expect, but wanted a more dramatic effect, so although I originally decided to go with the above pictures, I have found two more that show the effect better.   The pictures are once more of the minaret at Caesarea, although this time they have singled it out using a tight composition.

Picture 1 – 135mm, f11, 1/500, ISO 200

Picture 2 – 18mm, f8, 1/1000, ISO 200

I think these final two pictures offer a far more dramatic result of changing perspectives.   Although the pictures are taken at slightly different angles, I believe in this instance that doesn’t necessarily matter.   An interesting project, that shows how changing the viewpoint as well as changing the lense can dramatically change the perpective of an object.