Stop Making These Wide-Angle Lens Mistakes

There are many mistakes to stop making while using a wide-angle zoom lens in landscape photography. In this video, I show some of the mistakes and how to avoid them. I visit the iconic Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse in Denmark and take many landscape photos, all the while explaining my thought process. It was a gorgeous day and I got some of my favorite landscape photos from this place while getting pummeled by the wind.

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0:00 - What to include and to exclude?
2:31 - Get everything in focus
4:24 - Another composition
5:35 - Too small background subject?
7:03 - Wrong use of the polarizing filter
8:42 - What filter I use?
9:33 - Bad foregrounds and good foregrounds?
12:00 - Too close to the subject?
13:39 - Each scene is unique!
16:52 - Distorted subjects are awful!
17:58 - Landscapes are not just horizontal!
19:19 - The final golden hour photos

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[JessPedersenCPH]

You are the master of composition and the ebooks are equally amazing for getting insight into all the composition tricks. What I find extremely inspiring is that you are always able to find some kind of composition that just works. It is not as much relying on specific composition rules but the holistically use of composition guidelines towards a specific scene and applying that perfectly!
To others; If you have not bought the very inexpensive ebooks yet - They are worth 10x times more than they cost!

Again - thanks for sharing such a solid video again!

[NigelDanson]

This is such a good video Mads and a perfect reference for anybody wanting to take wide angle images. The examples you give are amazing. Loved it!!!

[ramdogproductions]

@5:31 love the right image. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and tips!!

[terriroberts]

I like the second lighthouse photo better. I like how the lines in the sand lead your eyes to the lighthouse.

[razafiarisonmichael]

Which ones to choose... I prefer all of them, all the compositions are great (very dreamy and dramatic), the dynamic range, the light and dark sides on the sands are very sharp. Thank you for the advices !

[orcaspest]

It is difficult to choose a favourite picture because each one is special in its own way but because you asked, at 5:28 I prefer the photo on the right. Thank you for all the great tips Mads!!

[Maruszan]

Whenever I think there's not much else to photograph at some of your locations, (meh weather conditions or subject matter) you ALWAYS find an awesome selection of photos at the end! Then my jaw his the floor for the 100th time.

Thanks for sharing!

[valk-photography]

Superb video Mads !!! Clearly explained ! The picture on the right @ 5:29 is my favorite but I also like the light on the left picture @ 19:29. Thanks for the info Mads !!!

[davidscullbonz]

This is the first of your videos I have seen. I’m looking forward to more; your delivery is relaxed, free of technology, and focused on the art of making pleasing photos. Well done, Mads.

[mogbaba]

5:28 Of course both photos are good, but I prefer the one at the right. To be honest, I don't think, you need to know, which photo I prefer, I just decide to comment to say, thank you. 5 minutes into the video, and I definitely learned something new.

[Stillfilm]

I love the picture on the right at 5.31 where the sand ripples lead to the subject and also the final golden hour image. Your photography and processing is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing those useful tips.

[jeffhowe]

Hi Mads. I love the right hand picture at 6:56. The detail in the foreground sand is wonderful. At 11:51 I love the shape of the shadow from the nearest brick and being able to see the side of the lighthouse. Finally at 19:33, the left hand image. The lines in the sand are fantastic and again, seeing the lighthouse from a corner is great. Thanks for a great video!

[JayFunningham]

I love the diagonal lines of image 1 at 5:30, so dynamic. Though they do lead your eye to “nowhere” as they sadly die off in the sand while the lighthouse is back in the centre. For that reason I’d say option 2 is probably the better balanced image but I love both.

[niftytwo]

Good evening Mads. I like the photo on the left hand side. It’s a difficult choice and neither photo is bad. Thank you for your tutorial.

[chrisbujanos]

Thank you for your tips! I’m a beginner at wide angle photography

[doubledseven]

The image on the right. I like the way the sand is pointing in to the lighthouse.

[captinktm]

You are truly unique, in that you seem to be able to produce stunning images from ordinary scenes. It is inspirational. I am off to buy your ebook. Thanks for posting. Favorite 16:50 that is beautiful.

[carlgough]

16:45 my fav shot 😍 Looks like the lighthouse has angel wings

[grom]

5:30 left one, but without the top cloud. I like the point of view more and the light seems more interesting, I like it more because of the curves near the light house, but right one has the better sky and clouds.

[balazsjb]

Been into photography for 10+ years, but I was not a fan of landscape photography AT ALL. Until now. Subscribed. ;) Thank you Mads!