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Thread: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

  1. #51
    Format Omnivore Brian C. Miller's Avatar
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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Quote Originally Posted by ROL View Post
    Method, shmethod.

    IMO, composition/viewing/framing devices indicate a distinct lack of experience and/or aesthetics (i.e., "seeing") of landscape composition.
    So what? Experience starts somewhere. The best "teacher" is curiosity and a willingness to try.

    Quote Originally Posted by emo supremo View Post
    This is a serious question: my wife and neighbors cast unfriendly looks when I'm out in the yard practicing with these L's. But the L's permit me to frame the shot's boundaries, and a compass reading on the boundaries gives the angle, and the angle can be matched to the lens. This seems the quickest, accurate way of getting the image on the ground glass.
    Emo, the original poster, actually has a different problem that what the thread title suggests. His actual problem is "my wife and neighbors cast unfriendly looks" when he's practicing setting up a shot. I have no idea how many lenses he has, and I'm sure it's more than me, but that's besides the point. Recommendation: tell your wife you love her, and ignore the neighbors.
    "It's the way to educate your eyes. Stare. Pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long." - Walker Evans

  2. #52

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    If you have a smartphone, there are utilities for this. I use "viewfinder"for android. It allows me to define focal length and film format used, and it shows the "frame" in the camera image of your phone; you can even have multiple frames displayed together, e.g. all the frames of the lenses you have with you at that moment.

    Stefan

  3. #53

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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    I use a Linhof Multifocus viewfinder to determine focal length and I use L croppers for composing. I usually carry about 7-8 lenses so the linhof multifocus comes in handy.

  4. #54
    ROL's Avatar
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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Quote Originally Posted by Vaughn View Post
    How about photographing the scene with a digital camera, then checking the composition on the screen...
    Just how exactly would that work? (or are we merely talking between our cheeks )



    Quote Originally Posted by Brian C. Miller View Post
    So what? Experience starts somewhere. The best "teacher" is curiosity and a willingness to try.
    Agreed. Try it without your "crutch".

    If switching between camera systems (i.e., 120, 5X7, 8X10), not photographing everyday, some kind of shortcut using any particular system may speed composition. However, too often I see people wandering around with these framing deals, attempting to "find" a composition, not "seeing", or having any real feeling for their stalked subject. These devices are used as a crutch, for my previous simply stated reasons. As previously posted, restricting one's choices to one or two lenses at most – and taking the mind off too many equipment choices in the bargain – will likely do wonders for your composing skills, not to mention your ability to choose a lens. Not everyone is equipped physically, mentally, emotionally, or aesthetically to produce worthy photographs of every type of subject they come across. Likely as not, you may find the particular style of photography you are best at.

  5. #55
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    My method ... Hmm, this lens might do it ... look thru groundglass ... er, think I'd like to try something else ... Hmm ... life was so much better when I only owned one lens ...

  6. #56
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Shoot sunrises/sunsets and get to your location late.

    I guarantee that you'll learn to understand your vision versus which lens very quickly! You'll also learn how to set up, focus, work out exposure and shoot quickly as well...
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  7. #57

    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    I downloaded the ViewFinder for android app, but I cannot get it to work. How do you input data? My screen is showing mo popups or indication of how to use it. I did not get asked for money when I downloaded it, maybe that is the problem somehow.
    Thanks
    Geraldine

  8. #58

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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Smart Phones... iPhones... ehhh!!!!!!!!!!

    I'd rather buy a cheap DSLR and cheap lenses that span all the equivalent angles of view that my film cameras/lenses offer. Phoney-babies can't offer that much versatility. Not yet anyway.

    The above stated... Thirty years ago I'd have said I don't need no steenkeen visual aid!! But, after these many years and significant sight loss, I might. We'll see soon enough.

  9. #59

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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Look around, look behind. Maybe sit somewhere in the scene and let your creative brain catch up with your walking or driving brain. After a period of time when the location is starting to sink in and you can actually see what is in front of you examine the scene for all the components that make the image that struck you in the first place. For some the process of slowing down to catch up with the scene doesn't take long at all but others can spend hours in an area that at first impression held nothing before the landscape begins to reveal its component parts. I carry a viewing frame and find it very useful. When I reach that point I'm starting to see the scene in front of me I start contemplating the refinement of lens choices. My viewing frame has a 5x4 opening then a knotted string at the focal length of each lens I have. After all this is large format so if this seems a bit slow you can always get a video camera.

  10. #60

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    Re: Your method for matching lens to landscape composition

    Quote Originally Posted by mdm View Post
    If you only use 1 lens then you get pretty good at just looking and knowing what works for you, and where you need to put the camera. You dont have to go out with an arsenal ready to make every possible picture.
    Dat true!
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

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