Wondering how you can get great results using a 24mm lens? We have just the photography cheat sheet as your guide.
When it comes to wide-angle lenses, the 24mm is considered a classic focal length by many photographers. It’s a favorite for its versatility, so we’re not surprised if you somehow ended up here while researching this lens. In our cheat sheet, we bring some tips on how to make the most out of this lens, whatever you’re shooting.
While wide-angle lenses like the 24mm are typically chosen for landscape photography, it’s also easy to get great results for street and portrait photography. You only need to keep in mind the six tips below for your next shoot or practice with this lens.
First, don’t get close if you’re shooting portraits. It won’t be a problem if you’re shooting street scenes, but for portraits, it’s best if you keep a few feet away from your subject. This focal length is actually great for environmental shots that show more of the scene to provide context or story about your subject.
Also, keep in mind to position your subject at the center of the frame, as the corners tend to show some distortion which will make your subject look odd. A good rule of thumb would be to get either their full body or 3/4ths of their body in your frame. When it comes to angles, it’s always best to avoid shooting from below; shoot at eye-level or slightly higher up for a more flattering look.
You can also make good use of zone focusing with a 24mm lens. If you set the aperture to f5.6, you can get around four or five feet in focus. If your lens has an effective depth of field scale, refer to it to be sure about how much of the scene is in focus.
Lastly, you’ll want to shoot landscapes with this lens. For this, set the focus at infinity, use a graduated ND filter to keep your exposures spot on, and make sure your composition shows a balance of the sky with the ground below.
Need more photography tips and tricks? Don’t forget to check out our photography cheat sheet collection to find more that will come in handy for your next shoot and project!