The relationship between subject, background, and lens focal length is fundamental to creating compelling images. By learning to adjust perspective instead of relying on zoom, you gain more control over your composition and storytelling.
Coming to you from Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens, this insightful video explores why zooming your lens doesn’t change the perspective but simply crops into the image. To illustrate, Morgan uses a Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens to show how zooming through focal lengths—35mm to 150mm—keeps the perspective unchanged. The subject appears closer, but the relationship between the subject and background stays the same. Perspective changes when you physically move your position, which adjusts the spatial relationship between your subject and its surroundings.
Morgan demonstrates how moving closer or farther affects the background. A wide lens like 35mm captures more background, making it feel expansive and distant. Conversely, a longer lens compresses the background, bringing it visually closer to the subject. This effect is key for simplifying the background or emphasizing a particular narrative. For instance, when using a 150mm focal length, the background becomes soft and unobtrusive. At 35mm, you can frame the sky or other wide areas to create a sense of space.
Practical lighting tips are also highlighted. Shooting at noon, Morgan positions the subject with backlight to avoid harsh shadows and controls exposure using a single strobe. By balancing ambient light with settings like f/11 at 1/250th of a second, he achieves a dramatic, evenly lit result. The lighting setup keeps the background slightly underexposed, preventing distractions.
Morgan also explains how lens choice can influence storytelling. Wide lenses, combined with high or low shooting angles, add depth and context, ideal for scenes where the environment plays a role in the narrative. Long lenses, by contrast, remove distractions and create a clean, focused look by isolating the subject from the background. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Morgan.
