Wide Angle and Panorama Photo Ideas
Scenes that are grand in scope or contain many significant elements or subjects often require the use of a wide angle lens, or a panoramic technique to adequately capture.
Take a look at the wide angle and panorama photography ideas that showcase landscapes require using this technique.
Use these tips in addition to basic photography techniques to capture a wide angle or panoramic photo.
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Camera Gear for Landscape Photography
- Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods!
- Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
- Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
- Camera cleaning kit: remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.
- Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar and Sandisk!
- External hard drive: copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’.
- Headlamp: use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!
Wide Angle and Panorama Photo Ideas
Take a look at these photography ideas using a wide angle or panoramic technique shared by members of our Facebook Group, Your Photography Journey.
WATCH THE VIDEO: as we discuss tips and ideas for taking wide angle and panorama photos.
Grand in Scale
Scenes that are very large or grand in scale can be a challenge to photograph. Often focusing on a part of the whole can produce interesting photographs that capture the essence of the scene, but to represent the complete grandeur and beauty of a location may require equipment or techniques that enables us to capture the whole.
Jennifer Wolff uses a panoramic technique in this amazing capture of a vast landscape scene.
All of the scale and grandeur of the river carving the canyons is well represented in the width of the photograph. The technique has enabled her to tell the story of this location.
James Carro’s beautiful photograph illustrates the power of a panoramic Image to capture the scale and totality of a scene.
The viewer sees the effect of the sun’s light on the vast landscape. The beams and reflected light accentuate the layers and depth of this grand scene.
Multiple Subjects or Elements
A photographer may use wide angle or panorama to compose a shot that includes many subjects or elements within the frame.
Brian Leonard uses the panorama technique to create this amazing composition.
The innumerable tents among the numberless standing trees is epic in its message and complexity. A panoramic approach was certainly necessary to capture this subject and event.
Roy Goldsberry’s amazing panoramic shot really delivers the grandeur and scope of this beautiful scene.
Each element standing alone would be a beautiful photographic composition, but viewing this vast scene from a high perspective is powerful and breathtaking!
Foreground
Wide angle composition is great for delivering the impact of a powerful foreground.
William Holmes’ spectacular capture exhibits an interesting and textural foreground that sets the foundation and mood for the entire image.
There is also a subtle perspective established by the angle of the composition that provides a sense of the natural depth of the scene.
Goldhara Mckay’s simple composition utilizes a powerful wide angle that emphasizes an interesting pattern of natural and man made textures in the foreground that lead the eye into the photo.
Using a black and white technique also accentuates the depth, perspective and simplicity of the scene as a whole.
Background
A wide angle composition may also be used to incorporate interesting and impactful background elements.
Richey Oliver uses a wide angle to include the colorful contrast of a moody sky behind the subject in this awesome photograph.
James Griffin’s use of panorama composition easily conveys the beauty and scope of this brilliant capture of another background sky with mood and contrast.
The viewer can appreciate the depth of this scene due to the foreground, midground and background elements in the composition.
Tell the Story
A panoramic photograph may lend a sense of space and scale in the portrayal of story in imagery.
The wide and narrow dimensions of this beautiful capture by Bonnie Melnichenko enhances the scope of the horizon line.
It also establishes space to accommodate the movement of the three horses. The wide angle technique draws the viewer right in to the story of the scene.
