Rate This Tutorial!  2.437   Log in to rate this! 0 = Not Helpful up to 3 = Very Helpful. NR = No Rating. Questions? Feedback? Join the Discussion on this Tutorial

Changing the Field of View Using Zoom

We often think of zoom lenses as letting us bring distant objects closer. And usually, that's how we use them (well, that's usually how I use them, anyway).

But zooms can also be used to change how much you see of the background. The higher the zoom, the less you'll see of the background; the field of view shrinks. This is useful to know when you can stand at various distances and use zoom to make your subject the size you want it. The zoom amount is up to you, so next you should think about the background.

I've used this to my advantage to either include or exclude something in the background. Some filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock use it to produce interesting effects, where the subject remains the same size but the background seems either to shrink away or come crashing inward.

Here's a diagram showing what happens. For each shot, the subject fills the frame horizontally. As you move back, you increase the zoom, always keeping the subject filling the frame. Imagine the subject being a bench, over which you see the background. Note how the background changes in each shot:

• Widest angle (purple): both background objects fit easily into the frame
• Low zoom (red): object 1 is outside the frame and object 2 is just touching the right edge.
• Mid zoom (green): object 2 is cut in half
• High zoom (blue): neither object appears behind the subject

Now, look at these four photos, all taken at different distances from the main subject: the tree in the middle plus some space to either side. As in the diagram above, I changed the zoom to keep the tree the same size in each photo.

Keeping in mind the discussion above, try to guess which direction I was moving:

If you guessed I was moving away from the tree, you're right! Here's the diagram:

• Widest angle (purple): The whole bush and the rock are both visible, but the background tree is almost hidden behind the subject tree
• Low zoom (red): the bush is now cut by the shot's left edge, the background tree has moved left as well, and the rock has moved toward the right edge
• Mid zoom (green): even less of the bush is visible, the backround tree's close to the left edge, and we've lost part of the rock
• High zoom (blue): the bush, top of the background tree, and rock are all gone.
  

Now for your assignment: try this yourself! Pick some subject and, keeping it the same size within the frame, take shots at various distances and zooms.

Rate This Tutorial!  2.437   Log in to rate this! 0 = Not Helpful up to 3 = Very Helpful. NR = No Rating. Questions? Feedback? Join the Discussion on this Tutorial