Gettin' Jiggy With the Wide Angle!!!

[Joe the Photog]

I was wondering what the philosophy is on this board -- not just screeners, but everyone -- on wide angle distortion on railroad shots. I've just got a Canon Super Wide 10 to 22 mm for the Canon 300D and while most of the shots I've submitted have been accepted, one wasn't which I've included below. (Not a bitch and moan, mind you.)

So what do you think guys? Does wide angle perspectives have their place? Do you prefer more "normal" shots? What do you think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jch9596/csx5623pbuck.jpg


Joe H.

[willie6622]

For my tastes I don't really like the super wide distortion, but that is just my opinion.

Willie

[morven]

It can look good. I don't particularly like that one, though; the distortion does things I don't like, I guess!

[cmherndon]

Do you prefer more "normal" shots?

Well, first of all, normal is subjective just like art. Wide angle shots will always have their place, but there is such a thing as too wide. The distortion from a standard wide angle is different from that of something along the lines of a fisheye lens. Distortion with a common angle seems to be less accepted than that of an abstract shot (like shooting two cars coupled together with a fisheye). When I "invest" in a DSLR later this year, I'll probably find myself using the wide angle lens more often than the telephoto.

[Pat Lorenz]

I like both meathods, i like to use wide angle alot, because i really like bringing alot of Sky into my shots, but it does have its disadvatages like you touched base on. My lens selection goes as wide as 24mm, thats it i dont one needs anything wider than that.

[brunswickrailfan]

I use my telephoto the most, but my 24mm has it's place in meh bag. But both ends have their uses and caveats. I consider the telephoto more workable as you can only use the w/a close up (too far and the train disappears). The w/a adds a nice perspective when used appropriately as someone stated earlier. A common "wedgie" at 10mm (16mm in this case) looks boring...IMO.

[E.M. Bell]

Wide Angle....Bah Humbug...Just kidding

The wide angle (or fisheye) does have its place in Rail Photography. While I am not a big fan (my tele's see a LOT more use than the wider lenses do) they can lend some manner of artisitc merit to scenes that would otherwise be rather bland. I wouldnt want to see a 1000 shots with the distortion like that but in certain situations it really adds to the image. Everyone has their own taste in what they like, and a super wide lens in the right hands can produce some stunning work.

As for your shot above Joe, yea..I do like it. Lots of contrast between the train and sky, and the colors are killer! What lens did you get?

Here are a couple of rare examples of a wide angle (around 17mm) shots from me :) It dont happen that often....

[photoid=82682]
[photoid=56548]

[brunswickrailfan]

I miss "18mm" (actually 27mm)that the rebel offered with the EF-S lens....
[photoid=66414]

The 10D and my 24mm give me less lovin'.
[photoid=94203]

[Chris Starnes]

Super-wides and fisheyes can be cool if they 'add' something to a shot. Using such a wide angle to emphasize the size of a locomotive, say for instance in relation to a trackside object, can be a cool type of shot. As with most things it is subjective to the viewer's tastes.

So far I am happy with my recent Sigma 12-24mm purchase:

[photoid=94154]

[rpalmer]

I recently purchased the Canon 16-35mm f2.8 "L" lens and I can't say enough good things about it. It's a fantastic lens
A recent image taken with that lens

[photoid=94861]