Using Telephoto Lenses for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography isn’t just about wide-angle lenses.

People used to think you needed wide lenses to capture large landscapes.

A great way to experiment is to use telephoto lenses for about 75% of your landscape photos.

Many photographers who once only used wide lenses have switched to this new approach.

Here’s a community I’d recommend you join on that topic.

In gear choices, longer focal lengths like the 200-600mm range are trendy. Yet, for many, the sweet spot is around 70-200mm.

Using a telephoto lens is great when you want to bring a different artistic touch.

But beware of challenges like haze and distortion. When a distant scene includes the sun, a long lens also concentrates heat on the sensor, so read my camera sensor safety guide before shooting toward it.

What usually happens is that photographers change their approach over time.

Some start with wide-angle lenses and then shift to telephoto after seeing impressive results from famous photographers like for example Nigel Danson.

In the end, the lens you choose is more than a tool; it’s a storyteller capturing the world’s unique beauty in every shot.

-Hakan.