Lens-Artists Challenge #165: Going Wide

Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Greece

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.

Henry Ward Beecher

Patti Moed of pilotfishblog.com offers the topic for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge: Going Wide. Her post and the delightful shots taken both with wide-angle lenses and a cellphone follow the advice she gives:

  • Before you shoot, identify a subject of interest.
  • Include features in the foreground to help the viewer get a sense of the distance between the camera and the subject
  • Try varying your perspective by shooting upward or downward. 

Even though I’m only now reading this excellent advice, I may have had an inkling of it when I snapped away, mostly with my iPhone since I’ve never owned a wide-angle lens. Here are some photos — some I love, some not so much — that go wide.

First, the Temple of Poseidon (shown at top) at Cape Sounio in Greece. I took the shot when we first arrived in order for the whole of this ancient temple to fit into a photograph, and, without realizing this at the time, I was standing at a lower level shooting upward.

Second: a landscape outside Staunton, Virginia. Perhaps not an award-winning photo, but a scene that enticed us to pull over and revel in the summer colors.

Yellow fields near Staunton VA

On this same trip through Virginia I used Patti’s third suggested technique — “shoot upward or downward” — as well as her second one: “include features in the foreground.” I like the dominant shot of green in front with a side view of the red barn, but I’m thinking that if I had stooped a bit lower, the photo might be more interesting. Of course, there’s also the chance I’d tip over!!

Red Barn near Staunton, VA

In this shot below, taken in Rockland, Maine, I could have used a wide-angle lens to best advantage. With a 2-mile granite block walkway, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse barely fits into a photo — no matter what lens you attach. Unique, interesting, and well-visited, this lighthouse would be fun to photograph at a variety of distances.

Rockland Breakwater Light, Rockland, Maine

To photograph the entryway to Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah, Georgia, I tried to position myself squarely in the middle of the elegant trees. Then I waited until the long line of cars dwindled to just one in the distance before snapping the picture.

Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah, GA

Finally, a shot I hope to repeat this fall when we again visit the Blue Ridge Parkway near Culhowee, North Carolina. It might be the best time of all to whip out a special lens, but look how pretty those colors are, even with a mere iPhone Xs. Except for my not getting down or standing on a ladder for height, I’m pretty sure this photo meets Patti’s other two requirements: have a subject of interest and include features in the foreground.

Blue Ridge Parkway near Culhowee, NC

Thanks for the advice, Patti, and for the opportunity to evaluate my work. Here’s my advice to readers of this post: Try going wide, no matter what camera you use.

And be sure to visit Patti Moed’s blog for more entries on this week’s topic.

Travel widely,

Rusha & Bert

39 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #165: Going Wide

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      It’s one of our favorite Southern cities with Charleston being in second place! Come on down. You’ll love them both!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks for your comment. We loved Staunton — stayed there a couple of nights and roamed around town. So much history there, and we loved the old buildings. Thanks for taking a look.

  1. pattimoed

    You underestimated your artistic eye, Rusha! You’re already taking the advice of the experts! Your collection is fabulous. I love your opener of the temple and the trees at Wormsloe and the Blue Ridge Parkway… A wonderful collection. Truly beautiful images.

  2. Wandering Dawgs

    These are all wonderful shots and great examples of going wide. You did a great job capturing the trees at Wormsloe!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Isn’t that a majestic drive? We’d like to return to see if this view changes in the fall. It’s a lovely place to visit! Thanks fir commenting.

      1. Sofia Alves

        You’re welcome. If you do go in the Autumn, can you please post what you’ve found? I’d love to see it.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I loved our tour of Greece and wish we could return. Old places speak to me, and that might tell you a lot about me!!! Thanks for your comment.

  3. Wind Kisses

    I can hardly wait to get to the Blueridge Pkwy next week, to stand in your shoes. It looks beautiful. I love the Wormsloe Historic Site tree shot. Great choices for looking wide. Donna.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Hope your trip is lovely. We found it to be restful and naturally beautiful. Take folding chairs, a thermos, and lunch. It’s great to pull off and sit a spell! Thanks so much for taking a look at both sites.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      We have the same ideas on what we like, for sure. It’s great to comb through my photos and see them in new ways. Thanks so much for looking and commenting.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Oh, that lighthouse! From someone who lives inland, the whole coast of Maine is extraordinary, but I also love tree canopies as well! Thanks so much for taking a look and commenting.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I agree. Those two rows of trees are magical, though, and people were flocked there to take pictures, for sure. But sooo lovely. Thanks for taking a look.

  4. maristravels

    That’s a lovely shot of the temple looking upwards at it. You get the impression of the awesomeness of the building from this angle.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Talk about a majestic spot. And I’m glad I took it when we arrived. It was getting darker and darker the longer we stayed there, and by the time we got back to that spot, I couldn’t get another good photo. Thanks for taking a look!

  5. Toonsarah

    You’ve shown that you don’t need a wide-angle lens to ‘go wide’ 🙂 I love your Blue Ridge Parkway shot and that red barn in Virginia!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much for always being so kind. I love the two you’ve selected. We’re hoping to get back onto the Blue Ridge Parkway when the leaves change, but we’re pretty sure a lot of people have the same idea!

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