Tag Archives: Using a telephoto lens effectively

photography, Tips and Technique

Amtrak 768 at Fullerton—Two Perspectives.

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On my theme of ‘getting the angle right’; or rather how slight adjustments in elevation can alter perspective, compare these two recent views of Amtrak 768 Pacific Surfliner at Fullerton, California.

Both were made with my FujiFilm XT1 digital camera and a telephoto zoom lens.

The top view was made from my standing height and aims to include the footbridge.

With the bottom view, I’ve taken a more extreme telephoto focal length while placed the camera very near to platform level. Composition was aided through use of the fold-out rear display. This allows me to hold the camera near to the ground while being able to look down to see the image. (A handy feature of the XT1).

The low angle telephoto is a good means for making a more dramatic view.

A photograph made from my normal standing height. Here I've aimed to include the footbridge.
A photograph made from my normal standing height. Here I’ve aimed to include the footbridge.
For this more dramatic perspective I've held the camera very close to the platform level for a sort of cat's eye view. The combination of a long telephoto lens and this abnormally low angle makes for a dramatic photo. Back in the 1990s, I made many of these views on film using my Nikon F3T by removing the prism and looking straight down into the viewfinder.
For this more dramatic perspective I’ve held the camera very close to the platform-level for a sort of cat’s eye view. The combination of a long telephoto lens and this abnormally low angle makes for a dramatic photo. Back in the 1990s, I made many of these views on film using my Nikon F3T by removing the prism and looking straight down into the viewfinder.

Tracking the Light posts Every Day!

For more about Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner see: amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train