What are the shooting functions and styling features of the panning lens?

There are various forms of panning movements. Different forms of panning contain different visual vocabularies and have their own expressive meanings. Let’s take a look at the shooting function of the panning lens with me!

The shooting style characteristics of the panning lens

Panning is like people turning their heads to look around, so it can break through the TV picture frame limitations, using the movement of the camera to expand the picture to the surroundings and enlarge the field of view, including more visual information. Panning mostly focuses on introducing the environment, story or topography of the event, showing a broader visual background. It has the function of a large scene and has a broader field of vision than the distant view of the fixed picture. It has its unique expressive power when expressing broad and far-reaching scenes such as mountains, grasslands, deserts, and oceans. This kind of panning shot that shows space and expands the field of view is usually done by panning evenly and smoothly at a long shot or a panoramic view. Its purpose is to give people a complete impression through the whole process of panning, rather than describing it in detail. For a certain object, its pursuit of the overall image of the picture is greater than the description of the specific image.

Because it expands the expression space of the picture, panning is used for wider objects such as cross-river bridges, dams and other horizontal lines, while for taller subjects such as skyscrapers Vertical panning of vertical lines such as TV transmission towers and TV towers can completely and continuously show their full picture. It is the expansion of the panning movement that shows the full picture and shape of the subject, forming a spectacular and majestic momentum. For some subjects, such as long monograms, flagpoles, etc., a smaller scene can be used according to the characteristics of the object, so that the object fills the frame and the meaningless parts are excluded from the frame, so as to use a small scene to distinguish the big scene. effect purpose.

Panning can introduce and explain the inner connection between two subjects in the same scene. It can also connect two subjects with opposite or similar properties and meanings through panning to express some kind of metaphor. , contrast, juxtaposition, causal relationship, if the connection between three or more subjects is shown, the camera may slow down or pause when panning to form an intermittent pan to connect several subjects. In the movie "Across the Sea", Yahai and Yazhan had just escaped from being chased by others. When they fled to the seaside, the camera panned to the sea with them as the starting point. They saw two killers coming from the sea in an airship. Come and shoot, so that the audience just feels relieved and becomes nervous for the protagonist and the situation.

Another example is from a "No Smoking" slogan to a smoking person; from a piece of flowers to a group of innocent children, this connects the contrasting elements in life with two separate images, making it The meaning expressed far exceeds the meaning of these two separate images, and there are fewer traces of artificial processing than the montage combination method, ensuring the integrity of time and space, making the information conveyed by the picture more authentic. Therefore, it has unquestionable power in documentary programs. In addition, in addition to establishing a certain connection between two objects through camera shaking, panning can also standardize the audience's thinking by panning out the objects behind to further explain the objects in front. For example, the picture shows a person walking into a gate and the camera pans up and the sign of the post office appears. The picture clearly tells the audience through the visual image that this person walks into the post office and not somewhere else. Thanks to the later pictures, the meaning of the previous pictures becomes clearer. This seemingly unintentional but actually intentional expression method is commonly used in film and television dramas, leaving a foreshadowing for subsequent plot development.

Panning is also convenient for showing the dynamics, momentum, movement direction and trajectory of sports subjects. For example, in TV sports programs, you can often see athletes running, and the camera pans in the direction of running; playing volleyball When playing basketball, football or football, the camera usually pans in the direction of the ball. Especially when panning with a telephoto lens, it is easy to separate the subjects in scenes with different directions and movement speeds to achieve the effect of highlighting the subjects. In addition, panning a group of identical or similar subjects to make them appear one by one can strengthen people's impression of this thing and form a cumulative effect of quantity and emotion.

For example, in a feature film about family planning, there is a panning shot shot on the street. From the beginning to the end of the shot, what appears on the screen is a group of people who are constantly moving and repeating. This kind of panning shot It prolongs the audience's visual experience of the crowd and deepens the impression of "overcrowding". It tells people vividly that whether it is an "energy crisis" or a "water crisis", there is a "human crisis" hidden behind it.

In the lens assembly, the current shot shows a person looking around, and the space shown by the panning of the next shot is the space seen by the person in the previous shot. At this time, the panning shot shows the line of sight of the people in the play and becomes a subjective shot. In addition, when the picture pans away from the main character and toward the space where the main character is looking, this panning also expresses a certain line of sight of the person in the play, and also has the function of a subjective lens. At the same time, the panning lens can also guide the audience's line of sight from one place to another through the transformation of space and the transformation of the subject, completing the transfer of the audience's attention and points of interest. For example, shaking from the construction workers on the scaffolding to the engineers analyzing the drawings on the ground is a transition from one scene to another.

When using a panning lens to shoot, you should pay attention to the accurate starting and ending composition of the picture, the focus should be accurate, and the panning speed should be uniform and consistent with the emotional atmosphere and rhythm in the picture.

Analysis of Macro Lens Shooting Techniques

Macro Lens

When you realize the charm of macro lens, every corner of the world is Everything will be different before you.

The microscopic world in the macro lens perfectly explains what is called "one sand and one paradise"

The macro lens allows us who are familiar with the macro world to enter an unprecedented world. See the microscopic world.

Almost all photographers who are new to macro lenses like the feeling of letting small things that are usually invisible fill the entire picture, but in fact the usage and function of macro lenses are much more than that simple.

Most macro lenses are fixed-focus lenses, with focal lengths between 35 and 200mm, and relatively large apertures. Therefore, they perform well in blurring the background, and the image quality is also very good, especially at close range. form.

Under normal circumstances, you can use a macro lens as a fixed-focus lens with excellent image quality.

The maximum aperture of most macro lenses is f/2.8. When the aperture is fully open, the depth of field is very small. We can completely apply the methods and composition techniques used for ordinary lenses to macro lens shooting.

Everyone must know that depth of field depends not only on the focal length and aperture of the lens, but also on the focusing distance.

The focusing distance is extremely short, and the depth of field is often only a few millimeters.

In this case, in order to ensure a clear picture and accurate focus, it is best to set the camera's focus mode to manual.

When shooting still life, it is best to mount the camera on a tripod to further improve focus accuracy.

If you feel that the accuracy of manual focus using the viewfinder is limited, you can also use the camera's live view function and zoom in.

For earlier models of cameras that do not support live view, you can also choose a magnified viewfinder that matches the viewfinder or a right-angle viewfinder with magnification.

Working distance

We took a 50mm macro lens with us when shooting. When purchasing, you can also choose one from 35mm to 200mm focal length according to your actual needs. The lens that suits you best.

Like ordinary lenses, when the scenery accounts for a similar proportion of the screen, the different focal lengths of the lenses will also affect the perspective of the screen.

But considering the shooting distance, the impact on the macro lens is not as obvious as imagined.

The more important difference between macro lenses with different focal lengths is the different focusing distances at the same magnification. When photographing small animals that are easily frightened, such as insects, macro lenses with longer focal lengths are more difficult. interfere with them.

When shooting macro, focus is very critical, especially when the aperture is fully open.

Even the smallest misfocus can cause the part you need to be clear to blur.

Technical connection

Macro is not macro

Perhaps you will see macro or the English logo "MACRO" in the parameters of many lenses, but This does not mean that they are a true macro lens.

The macro marked on zoom lenses only means that their focusing distance is slightly closer than that of ordinary lenses, but it does not mean that they can take small things very large.

Pay attention to shadows

Use a macro lens with a shorter focal length to shoot macro. There is only a few centimeters between the front lens and the subject.

The shadow of the lens or photographer may be left on the subject without noticing. You must pay attention to this when shooting.

If this happens, you should adjust your position and shooting angle in time.

If you really can’t avoid the shadow, you can move a little further away, or take off the lens hood.

10 tips for shooting with a wide-angle lens

1. Find the punctum

The wide-angle lens limits the photographer’s need to have a wide view, because the scenery in the picture There are too many, and the photographer has to find the punctum to make the photo stand out. The punctum is a concept proposed by literary critic Roland Barthes. Simply put, it is a small detail or ingenuity in an image that inadvertently touches the viewer's senses. This is the key to making people fall in love with a work. .

2. Look at the image from a macro perspective

Because there are too many people and things in the picture, don’t just focus on the details when shooting, you can look at the entire picture from a macro perspective. Duong mentioned the law of Pragnanz. When composing a picture, imagine reducing the things in the picture to simple shapes and lines, so as to combine these shapes into interesting and unique compositions.

3. Guide the line of sight

When using a wide-angle lens, it is difficult to obtain bokeh, and there are too many objects in the lens. To highlight the subject, you must rely on the lines and composition of the picture to guide it. The viewer's gaze allows the viewer to pay double attention to the subject that the photographer wants to show.

4. Get closer

This is especially useful for portraits. If you want to capture the expression of a portrait and capture his current expression, you need to get closer. This also allows players who are accustomed to using long lenses to get out of the comfort zone and try to have more communication with the subjects.

5. Take pictures with the perspective of scenery

When taking pictures of mountain views, sea views and other landscapes, because the scenery is wide and far away, you will pay great attention to the position and lines of the scenery when taking the view. arrangements, etc. You should also use this mentality when shooting with a wide-angle lens. Even if you are shooting in the streets, you should pay attention to the lines of the streets and the direction of pedestrians and vehicles, and wait patiently for the best moment to compose the picture before pressing the shutter.

6. Dare to take exaggerated wide-angle effects

When using a wide-angle lens, the distance between the front and rear background will be exaggerated, causing perspective distortion (Perspective Distortion). Make good use of it according to the subject of the photo. You can create unique effects.

7. Make good use of space

A wide-angle lens can take in more scenery. If you don’t want every photo to have a rich and complicated picture, you can try leaving blank space in the picture to create a More changes.

8. There is a frame within a frame

Since the wide-angle picture is too wide, reset the frame yourself! Use shadows, the appearance of buildings, etc. as the background of the subject to guide The viewer's line of sight highlights the subject.

9. Try different shooting angles

To take unique and good photos, you might as well try new things.

Shooting from less commonly used angles may bring surprises!

10. Make good use of light

The most difficult thing about using a wide-angle lens is to let the viewer’s focus fall. on the subject. Using light to guide the viewer is also a great way to highlight your subject.

What are the camera angles for shooting?

Generally speaking, there are five types of camera angles:

1. Bird's-eye view: That is, seeing the world through bird’s eyes.

2. High angle

3. Horizontal angle (eye-level): That is how the human eye sees the world.

4. Elevation angle (low angle): In layman’s terms, it is the way a dog sees the world.

5. Oblique angle

High-angle lens

(bird's eye lens, overhead angle lens): This type will show the plight of the characters in the picture , feelings of powerlessness and being attacked.

Bird's-eye shots and overhead angle shots sometimes give people a sense of omniscience, like "God's perspective" watching the fate of things. Such shots also accentuate the environment, making it appear as if the environment can swallow up the character, making the character appear helpless.

Horizontal angle

Some directors are very reluctant to use subjective shots casually. For example, in the works of Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu, the camera is usually four feet high from the ground - completely Japanese. The height at which people sit on the tatami and look at things. Ozu sees his characters as equals to himself, neither particularly virtuous nor particularly depraved. Ozu lets them reveal themselves completely, without using camera angles to make value judgments. Therefore, his shots are neutral and emotionless, leaving the audience to make their own judgments.

Elevation lens

Contrary to the depression angle, it will increase the height of the subject and have a vertical effect. The sense of speed in the action is increased, especially the violent scenes. Elevation shots increase the importance of the subject, making it appear threatening and spread out in front of the viewer. Missions photographed from an elevated angle often evoke feelings of terror, solemnity and respectability. Therefore, this type of camera angle is most common in promotional films and movies that emphasize heroism.

Inclination angle

The horizontal line of inclination angle is mostly inclined. The person in the shot looks like he's about to fall. This lens is sometimes used for subjective shots, such as the perspective of a drunk man. In addition, in some special environments, the tilt angle corresponds to the composition of the scene, which can expand the field of vision, which is another matter.

Photography skills of moving lens

"Panning" photography technique can bring wonderful images to photographers, and it is also one of the important topics for photographers to master the shutter control. The principle of pan lens photography is very simple. It is to set a certain shutter speed and swing the camera in conjunction with the moving subject during exposure to form an image with a clear subject and a blurred background to highlight the dynamics of the subject's movement.

1. Set a slow shutter speed

Select shutter priority mode and set the shutter to about 1/30 second and try shooting. Do not use a shutter speed that is too slow. The photographer can adjust the shutter speed according to the lighting of the scene and the moving speed of the subject. Generally, you can try a shutter speed of about 1/60 second when shooting vehicles on the street; for subjects that move at high speed, you may use 1/60 second. Shutter speed of 100 seconds or faster. Photographers, please keep this in mind: the higher the shutter speed, the clearer the subject/background will be, but the movement will be relatively reduced.

2. Continuous focus function

Set the focus mode to continuous focus mode, and press the shutter halfway to start autofocus to track the subject until the shutter is fully pressed for exposure. When "panning", the subject is actually moving. At this time, the continuous focus function is activated. Before fully pressing the shutter button to take the shot, keep half-pressing the shutter button to autofocus, so that the focus can be locked on the subject.

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3. As the subject moves

Gently press the shutter button fully to expose, and immediately swing the camera with the subject until the exposure is completed (use itself as the central axis to rotate). This action This allows the subject to remain clear in the image while the background becomes blurred.

4. Choose an ideal shooting spot.

Find a safe place to shoot the image without any obstacles. Use an 85mm lens. Mid-telephoto focal length lenses allow photographers to keep a certain distance to capture images. In addition, photographers should also pay attention to the arrangement of the background. A background that is too cluttered or too bright will weaken the appeal of the subject.

5. Follow the subject. Level

Try to be level with the moving subject to help keep the subject in the focus of the image and obtain a clear image of the subject

6. Leave enough space for the subject

When composing the picture, you should leave enough space in front of the subject, otherwise the subject will not have enough "space to move forward" and it will look cramped.

7. Use a monopod

If necessary, you can use a monopod to stabilize the camera to reduce the chance of subject blur.

Summary: Try more and practice more

Before you master the technique, Photographers may not be able to achieve the desired results, but after repeated attempts, they will be able to master the techniques and discover the joy of it. In the future, they will be able to capture special images that suit their own personal style. There is no need to pursue a completely clear subject, because a slightly blurred subject can also bring out the movement of the subject.