Mastering Telephoto Lenses for Landscape Photography

A telephoto lens opens up unique opportunities in landscape photography. Its ability to isolate subjects and create compression makes it an invaluable tool, especially for capturing distant elements with dramatic impact.

Coming to you from William Patino, this practical video dives into the benefits and challenges of using telephoto lenses for landscapes. Telephotos typically cover focal lengths starting at 70mm, with common options like 70-200mm and 100-400mm. These lenses allow you to zoom into a scene, isolating specific subjects such as mountain peaks, waves, or even individual trees. This isolation creates a clean, focused composition that’s often harder to achieve with wide angle lenses.

Compression is another major advantage. When using a telephoto, you can visually "stack" elements, such as waves or mountain ranges, making them appear closer together. This effect can enhance depth and drama in your images. For example, capturing multiple layers of mountains with a telephoto lens can highlight the scale and majesty of the scene. Similarly, in seascapes, compression can bring rolling waves into tighter visual proximity, adding energy to the image.

Patino emphasizes the value of spontaneity when using telephoto lenses. Unlike wide angle shots that often require meticulous planning, telephoto compositions tend to be more reactionary. The ability to quickly identify and isolate an interesting element—whether it's atmospheric layers around a peak or dynamic movement in a wave—makes telephoto lenses ideal for seizing fleeting moments.

When it comes to composition, Patino advises centralizing the primary subject for balance and harmony. Telephoto lenses naturally simplify compositions by isolating subjects, but creating layered depth with foreground, midground, and background elements adds a three-dimensional feel. For instance, a lone mountain peak framed by foothills and atmospheric clouds can elevate a photo from simple to striking.

Practical considerations, like the lens’ weight, are worth factoring in. Patino notes that he gravitates toward the 100-400mm for its range, despite its heft. For multi-day hikes, where every ounce matters, he sometimes leaves the telephoto behind but acknowledges the regret of missing those spontaneous opportunities. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Patino.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”