LESSON 11Shoot Cityscapes While Traveling

Considering the composition and how to crop

To capture the atmosphere of the city, take the composition into account first. In casual shooting while traveling, we often shoot on the wide-angle side (with shorter focal lengths), trying to include as many objects as possible in the frame. However, depending on the scenes, shooting on the telephoto side (with longer focal lengths) can be better to convey the atmosphere. Here are examples to explain this effect.

[1] Focal length: 16 mm / F-number: 10 / Shutter speed: 1/100 sec.[2] Focal length: 16 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/160 sec.

These photographs were shot at 16 mm, on the wide-angle side of a normal zoom lens.
The building is emphasized in photograph [1]. However, since one building occupies the largest area of the frame, the photograph does not properly convey the atmosphere you actually felt at the site. As in this example, if you shoot on the wide-angle side, objects in the foreground appear large, while objects in the background appear smaller than you actually see. This composition is fine if you want to highlight one building and make it look powerful. However, if you want to capture the entire atmosphere of the city and streets, try another composition.

In photograph [2], also shot on the wide-angle side, the largest area is occupied by the building and ground. However, thanks to the "radial composition," with the end of the street in the center of the frame, it has more depth compared with photograph [1]. If you would like such a dynamic wide-angle photograph, take the direction of the streets into account when shooting.
Now, let's see how the impression changes if you shoot on the telephoto side.

Focal length: 50 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 1/80 sec.

This photograph is shot at 50 mm of a zoom lens. To bring both the foreground and the background in focus, the aperture value was set to F8. Also, to prevent the buildings from appearing tilted and giving an unstable impression in the photograph, the camera was securely held in the vertical position.
Shot on the telephoto side, the photograph successfully captures the characteristics of the city. Unlike in the photograph shot on the wide-angle side, the building on the near side does not occupy a large area. Also, the street fits within 1/4 of the entire frame. Such a composition gives a natural perspective to the photograph.

Focal length: 50 mm / F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/80 sec.

This photograph was also shot at 50 mm. Even in such a scene, in which the cloudy sky could occupy the most area if shot on the wide-angle side, the cityscape is captured in an angle of view close to human eyes by shooting on the telephoto side.

Focal length: 30 mm / F-number: 7.1 / Shutter speed: 1/60 sec / ISO: 160

This technique of cropping the part of the scene using the telephoto side is also effective for shooting from vantage points, as well as shooting streets.

[1] Focal length: 28 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 1/160 sec / ISO: 200[2] Focal length: 135 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 2.5 sec.

When viewing a vista from a vantage point, we often try to shoot the entire landscape on the wide-angle side. However, if you crop part of the landscape into the frame, you can take a photograph that captures the unique atmosphere of the city more effectively.
Photograph [1] was shot at 28 mm, with the zoom position slightly moved to the telephoto side with a normal zoom lens. From the entire city spreading out of the frame, only the most impressive part is captured in this frame. In photograph [2], shot boldly at 135 mm, the entire frame is filled with houses.
With each house rendered in the proper size, this is also an interesting photograph that conveys the atmosphere.

In this way, cropping the distinctive part into the frame using the telephoto side is effective for conveying the atmosphere of the cityscape. Make full use of the zoom lens by trying various focal lengths.

Trying high magnification zoom lenses

Lenses categorized as "high magnification zoom lenses" are convenient for travel. Because a high magnification zoom lens covers from wide angle to telephoto by itself, it can take impressive shots of travel scenes with various expressions. Also, because you don’t need to change the lens for each scene, you are less likely to miss shooting opportunities, and you can focus on enjoying your trip.

F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/125 sec.

SEL24240

Product Highlights

A 24 mm to 240 mm 10x zoom range allows this single lens to cover an extensive variety of shooting situations, making it ideal for travel where reducing luggage is a priority, as well as for landscapes, architecture, snapshots, portraits, and much more. Switch between wide angle and telephoto without having to change lenses, letting you capture more of those fleeting moments. Advanced optics effectively subdue aberration while achieving high resolution throughout the image area, and a precision linear motor drives the focus for quick, smooth response. Handheld telephoto shots and low-light photography are facilitated by built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization, and the design is dust and moisture resistant for reliable operation in challenging conditions.

Focal length: 28 mm / F-number: 10 / Shutter speed: 20 sec.

SEL18200LE

Product Highlights

Significantly smaller and lighter than comparable lenses, this lens is perfect for a wide range of shooting situations. The broad focal length coverage of the lens, from 18 mm to 200 mm (27 mm to 300 mm in 35 mm equivalent), makes it an ideal high magnification "travel" lens. Optical SteadyShot technology cuts down on blur caused by camera shake when shooting in dark environments or at longer focal lengths.