With the arrival (finally) of my new wide angle zoom comes the opportunity to capture some dynamic shots using the capabilities that a 10 mm focal length gives. However, if you look in any photo mag you will see plenty of pictures of buildings with converging verticals, shot from the ground looking up, usually with a convenient patch of cloud to fill the sky. In other words it is easy to follow the well trodden trail of wide angle shooting, particularly in the urban environment. Now that is not to say that taking such shots is a waste of time. There is good practice to be had, as well as the pride of having your own version of a familiar idea. But they are unlikely to be standouts unless you can come up with a new angle (excuse the pun!) What I mean is, just like starting in HDR, it is easy with a wide angle lens to be impressed with early results that are actually quite "run of the mill" really. A wide angle shot of the London Eye from below may look good through the viewfinder, but it has been done to death thousands of times.
So what is my point? Well as with any new process or technique, enjoy the thrill of new exciting results but use that period to learn the ropes and the real gold, your unique interpretations, will surely follow. That will be the reward as far as I'm concerned.

14/10/2012