If you’re planning on entering our Wilderness Photographer of the Year, presented by Mountain Designs - and you should as there’s $21k worth of prizes up for grabs - one thing you’ll be considering is what camera lens is right for each shot.
Camera lenses differ mainly in focal length, aperture and intended use, which directly affect how an image looks and what situations they suit.
Wide-angle lenses (e.g., 10–35mm) capture a broad field of view, making them ideal for landscapes, architecture, and tight indoor spaces. They exaggerate perspective, so objects closer to the lens appear larger and more dramatic.
Standard lenses (around 35–70mm) closely match human vision. They’re versatile and commonly used for everyday photography, street scenes, and natural-looking portraits without much distortion.
Telephoto lenses (70mm and above) magnify distant subjects, making them perfect for wildlife, sports, and events. They compress perspective, making backgrounds appear closer to the subject, which can create a pleasing, blurred backdrop.
Prime lenses have a fixed focal length but often offer wider apertures (like f/1.8 or f/1.4). They are excellent for low-light conditions and achieving shallow depth of field, popular in portrait photography.
Zoom lenses cover a range of focal lengths, offering flexibility when you can’t move physically closer or farther from your subject.
Choosing the right lens depends on your subject, space, and creative intent—whether you want wide context, natural perspective, or tight, focused detail. And if that’s not enough details then let photographer James Popsys explain it more on this video.
Look and learn.