Top tips for using the long end of your zoom creatively
If you have a zoom lens ranging from wide-angle at one end to telephoto at the other, here are a few tips on using the long end of your zoom more effectively.
- Telephoto lenses exaggerate the effects of camera shake, meaning you need to either make sure you set a high shutter speed, or use a tripod
- If you have a 3x zoom the minimum safe shutter speed is around 125th of a second; a 6x zoom needs around 1/250th of a second
- If you can't set the shutter speed manually use your camera's sports mode – or if light is low, change the sensitivity (ISO) setting to a higher figure
- Depth of field is also much less at the long end of the zoom, so take care to check the focus is on the main subject before taking the picture
- Telephotos are traditionally associated with sports and wildlife photography, but they are much more versatile than you might think
- The long end of a 3x zoom is perfect for flattering portraits, and for filling the frame with your subject's face
- Use the telephoto setting to pick out details in a scene or smaller objects in the distance
- Take a look at the examples below for how you can use a long telephoto creatively, and remember – just because you are shooting a scene doesn't mean you have to use a wide-angle lens
Use the long end of your zoom to pick out detail in buildings
The same subject shot twice, using a zoom set to 50mm ('Natural Eye' view) and 105mm to get closer to the subject.
