Expert tips for taking and printing wide-angle photos
Words by MyFUJIFILMMarch 20, 2024
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A breathtaking panorama. An expansive landscape. A rare glimpse of the Milky Way. There’s no denying that the best way to capture incredible moments is with a wide-angle lens.
A wide-angle lens exaggerates perspective. Objects close to the camera dominate the frame while everything stays in focus. A 180-degree fish eye lens creates even more significant distortion. It's an effect you'll want to use for architecture shots, cityscapes, and for capturing the magic at parties and gatherings.
Interested in improving your photography skills? Our expert tips will get you creating panoramas and printing wide-angle photos like a pro.
Expert tips for taking wide-angle photos
A wide-angle lens is any lens with a field of vision that's wider than your eye. And it's essential if you want to capture the sensation of a particular scene. But there's a big difference between buying a lens and using it to its best effect.
Use a wide-angle lens
So how do you use a wide-angle lens? A wide-angle lens really shines when you want to create an impressive sense of space. It’s great for landscapes, skyscapes and travel photography, but it's also a valuable lens for capturing a crowd scene.
Plan your composition before you take your photo
Use the viewfinder to frame your shot, cropping anything that doesn't belong. Getting close to small details in the foreground will help you frame your photos. For example, focus on a single leaf to frame an image of the whole forest.
Use a tripod for stability
Using a tripod is the best way to achieve professional shots. You'll eliminate any blur, especially when capturing a vivid sunset. Tripods are also a necessity for beautiful portraits. And it's your best friend when capturing shots that need a long exposure.
Need to grab that perfect shot but don't have a tripod handy? Don’t be afraid to improvise with any flat surface nearby, like a wall or tree stump.
Pay attention to the horizon
Your wide-angle lens is a great way to capture huge skies and landscapes. But the natural distortion can cause vertical objects to lean into the shot. To keep your image balanced, train your lens on the horizon to keep everything in balance.
Use leading lines and foreground elements
It’s worth remembering that everything in your image is an equal distance from the lens. So if you don't get close to a single point of interest, the eye has nowhere to focus. Look for an element in the foreground that brings detail to the shot. Then move your camera in close to frame a stunning image.
A ribbon of road, the sun's rays, or a meandering river. Leading lines draw the eye through the image to a focal point. And they're a powerful way to structure a photo for compelling results.
Experiment with different perspectives
A wide-angle lens is also a fantastic way to play with perspective. And experimenting is the best way to discover what your new lens can do. So get in close to exaggerate those foreground details. Pull back to embrace the full grandeur of a vast landscape.
Moving your camera up, down and at different angles is the best way to get confident working with perspective and scale.
Can you get a panoramic picture printed?
Panoramic photos make a fantastic addition to your home or office decor. Generally speaking, those amazing landscapes look best printed in aspect ratios of 2:1, 3:1 or even 4:1.
For example, when ordering your wall art prints, a 24" x 12" print creates an aspect ratio of 2:1. Why not use our software to play with the look that works best for your photo?
Advice for printing wide-angle photos
Printing wide-angle photos can be challenging without the right knowledge. But if you’re willing to try and you’d like to learn more about printing wide-angle photos, these are our top tips for getting it right.
Choose the right paper
The right photo printing paper can make or break any image. Let’s say you want to create dramatic panoramic prints in black and white. A professional-grade lustre paper ensures super-sharp blacks and vivid grey tones. Go for a matte finish for wide-angle prints that you'll be proud to hang on your walls. Colours are vibrant and there are no harsh reflections. Choose gloss paper for photo books to create a premium feel and superbly detailed images.
Consider print size and resolution
First, verify that the height and width of your print works with the image. Next, decide on the best image resolution. We recommend images are 300 dpi for the best result. Thankfully, there’s a simple trick to work out the ideal print size.
Say you use a typical resolution of 1800 x 1200 pixels at 300 dpi. To find the maximum size for prints or wall art, divide each number in the image resolution by the print resolution. In this case, the maximum print size for image clarity without cropping is 6" x 4" or 1800 and 1200 divided by 300.
Test print
A test print lets you make any final adjustments before committing to the final paper and ink result. Check your prints for colour accuracy and tweak your settings as necessary. Test prints are also a great way to check the resolution and pixelation of large-scale prints. As a result, you’ll receive accurate and sharp results without wasting time and money.
Opt for professional photo printing
For optimum results, your wide-angle photos deserve professional printing. We'll select premium Fujifilm professional paper for your wall art or photo books. And the process couldn't be more straightforward. Just upload your prints, find the size you like, and we'll handle the rest.
Displaying your wide-angle photo prints
Why not capture the moment with a dazzling wall art print? Acrylic, aluminium or canvas are all stunning ways to display your shot.
How you display your panoramic prints depends on your aesthetic. Aluminium prints appear to float in space, adding an extra dimension to your image. On the other hand, acrylic wall art creates a highly professional finish. So what's the best way to display your best wide-angle photos?
Use double-page photo book spreads
To do your best panoramic images justice, try our premium photo books. We use Fujifilm's original lay-flat paper, so your images flow seamlessly over a two-page spread.
You'll retain every detail with crisp, vibrant prints. So if you want to show off your landscapes to perfection, our photo books won’t disappoint.
Go for a sophisticated canvas print
Canvas prints are a fantastic way to transform your images into visual art. And a premium canvas print gives your wide-angle photos the vibrancy and grandeur they deserve.
Use a single panoramic print to hold the eye as a focal point. Or why not create a gallery wall? Use images with similar themes and colour tones for a highly sophisticated finish.
Get creative with a triptych
Our favourite way to get creative with wide-angle photography is by creating a triptych. First, split your panoramic photo over three or more prints or canvases. Landscape-oriented images work best. Then select your square or horizontal print sizes to recreate your panoramas.
Consider the rule of thirds when splitting your photo so there's a focal point in each frame. As a result, each print or canvas can work alone or as part of a group. It's an effortless way to bring out the best in your wide-angle photography.
MyFUJIFILM: printing wide-angle photos made easy
Using a wide-angle lens is a fantastic way to move forward with your photography. And MyFUJIFILM has the expertise to take your digital images and create unforgettable moments. Shop our wall art and photo books today.