Student Tutorial: Telephoto Lens

• What is a telephoto lens?

-A telephoto lens is a lens with a longer focal length than standard, giving a narrow field of view and a magnified image. A narrow angle of field will create an image that makes near and far objects seem to be the same size. 

• Why are they useful?

-These lenses are good for giving a flattering perspective, isolating the subject from the background, and bringing distant objects closer.  If you are trying to create a shot that emphasizes the number of people or objects in the shot then a telephoto lens would be the one to use, because it will make the distance between objects seem compressed enhancing the appearance of congestion. 

-The most common use for a telephoto lens is to bring small and or distant objects closer allowing you to see more detail.