Last year between Christmas and New Years l got together with another local photographer, Robyn of Haute Dog Photography. Robyn had some new lenses to try out and asked if I wanted to play. Yes please! Robyn brought the lights and lenses. I brought the model, my dog Ginger.
We were testing out the line of Sigma Art prime lenses but Robyn also brought along her ultra wide angle lens as I didn't have that in my kit and desperately wanted to try it out.
The results are in; I loved it! So much fun, especially with pet photography. The sun was setting fast on Lake Grapevine and it was cold and gray, but that didn't stop us from making the most of a few hours with new equipment and a willing dog model who will definitely work for treats!
I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that I now have an ultra wide angle lens in my kit bag; it arrived this week! I can't wait for this rain to let up so I can use it in my next dog photography session and I'm dreaming up ways to use it with cats and horses too! But while the ultra wide angle is good for landscapes and fun exaggerations of animals, it is decidedly NOT kind to people as can be seen in the image below (trust me, my legs are not actually tree trunks!). Unless you are VERY close to your subject, you will get a lot of distortion (and not the flattering kind) using an ultra wide angle lens with family portraits.
11 Comments
Mar 7, 2018, 2:29:04 PM
Linda Perdue - Nice images - the gray background looks nice to me - allows the dog model to stand out - love the rocks & stones. Don't see that in my area!
Mar 7, 2018, 10:53:09 AM
sam adele - Fun photos - and a gorgeous model!
Mar 4, 2018, 6:48:19 AM
Jessica - Wow! You are so lucky to get to spend some time shooting with Robyn! I love her work and yours complements hers so perfectly! My favorite of yours is that top middle in your collage. What a gorgeous location and pup!
Mar 3, 2018, 10:27:39 PM
Tim Evans - A Sigma art lens. . . I am officially jealous!
Mar 3, 2018, 7:24:32 PM
Sandra mccarthy - A little jealous that you got to hang out with Haute Dog! Nice photos.
Mar 3, 2018, 4:51:03 PM
Darlene - Great images and lovely location! Love the last one of you both - so sweet :)
Mar 2, 2018, 4:02:52 PM
Lynda - Gorgeous images! I borrowed a wide angle from a friend this week too.....and now it’s on my wishlist!
Mar 2, 2018, 3:37:54 PM
Tracy Allard - The Sigma 12-24mm f/4.0 Art lens Elaine!
Mar 2, 2018, 1:28:47 PM
Danyel Rogers - You have to love the inspiration you find when you get a new lens. Great modeling Ginger.
Mar 2, 2018, 12:29:52 PM
Elaine - I loved your examples and the self-portrait! What lens did you ultiimately decide on?
Mar 2, 2018, 9:13:00 AM
Kelly Middlebrooks - So fun to learn with a friend. Wonderful images for this post and love the one of you and your Ginger.