Unlike the popular 35mm, the 28mm is often misunderstood or underutilized, but with the right approach, it can significantly improve your photography.
Coming to you from Dee Rosa, this practical video highlights key strategies to elevate your photography when using a 28mm lens. Rosa emphasizes that if you're consistently reaching back for a 35mm, it might be due to unfamiliarity rather than limitations of the 28mm itself. He advocates overcoming any initial skill challenges through practice and targeted techniques. Layering is the first crucial method he recommends, as the wide view of the 28mm naturally includes more foreground, midground, and background elements, allowing richer storytelling within a single frame. This approach is particularly effective in documentary photography, portraits, and street scenes, where the wide angle captures a fuller context without distorting the image.
The second technique Rosa explains involves getting physically closer to your subjects. Unlike ultra-wide lenses, the 28mm provides minimal distortion, allowing close shots that feel natural rather than exaggerated. Rosa points out that being close helps convey intimacy and immediacy, making viewers feel like participants rather than distant observers. His compelling example from the bull-riding event demonstrates how proximity at 28mm integrates multiple elements seamlessly, creating a unified, immersive image. Rosa's experience underscores why this focal length excels in street photography and photojournalism, areas where authenticity and environmental context are crucial.
Rosa's third recommendation encourages changing perspectives to uncover more compelling images. Instead of always shooting at eye level, experimenting with higher or lower angles can dramatically alter the emotional impact of your photographs. For instance, a slight upward angle or shooting from the hip can produce surprising, engaging results that differ markedly from standard eye-level captures. Rosa's insights on using zone focusing and off-center lighting further enhance these perspective shifts, making images stand out due to their unique viewpoints rather than just their content.
To effectively utilize these methods, Rosa stresses that you should stop trying to make a 28mm lens behave like a narrower focal length. Accept and explore its inherent characteristics—broad, inclusive, minimally distorted—to maximize its potential. His examples and clear explanations offer actionable strategies, helping you transform initial struggles into confident, creative photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Rosa.
