Shooting skills of moving axis lens

Besides correcting the deformation of buildings, what other interesting applications are there? Below, we will sort out the six main functions of the axis-shifting lens and related shooting precautions, so that players interested in advanced axis-shifting in the near future or in the future can have a clearer basic concept.

Correcting the deformation of buildings

Generally, when shooting buildings, most of them are taken from the bottom up, so under the influence of perspective, it is easy to shoot buildings with wide bottom and narrow top. But now, the above problems can be easily corrected by using the shift function of the shift lens. The operation mode is simple. Just confirm the framing direction (vertical/banner) and the horizontal state of the camera/tripod before shooting, and then use the offset function to adjust the up and down position, and you can shoot a straight and undistorted architectural work. For details of the operation, the reader can refer to the following flow chart.

▲ (left) shift lens shooting, (right) general wide-angle lens.

By moving the axis of the lens, the deviation can be corrected and the flat and undistorted architectural works can be taken.

Modification of Building Deformation Control Process

1. First, judge the framing direction of the building. For example, I decided to use banner composition to create a scene.

2. Put the camera on a tripod and confirm that the camera is in a horizontal state through a physical or electronic level.

3. Then confirm whether the image is in focus through the LiveView real-time preview screen.

Because the camera is in a horizontal state, direct shooting can only capture part or half of the picture of the building.

▲ Fine-tune the composition through the offset function. After reaching the ideal position, you can get a straight and undistorted architectural work by pressing the shutter.

be filled/suffused/brimming with

You can confirm whether the image is in focus through the LiveView zoom function (5x or10x).

Because the axis-shifting lenses are all fixed-focus lenses, it is necessary to constantly "foot-move" zoom in the shooting process to find the right shooting angle and position.

Make a fun effect like a model.

Another selling point of the shift lens is that it can shoot interesting effects like models through the tilt function. Although this function can be applied to all shooting scenes or themes in theory, I personally think that shooting from top to bottom in high buildings or heights can best reflect this feature. The operation flow is as follows, so I won't go into details here. However, different from the above architectural shooting logic, there is no need for horizontal calibration before shooting, just move the tilt function after framing and composition.

▲ (left) shift lens shooting, (right) general wide-angle lens.

Although it is a long time shooting, because the focusing part is concentrated on one point, it can make the shooting effect like a model.

Modification of Building Deformation Control Process

1. Put the photo frame on a tripod for aerial shooting.

2. Use the LiveView real-time preview function for framing and composition, and use the zoom-in function above to confirm whether the image is in focus.

▲ Use the tilt function to tilt the lens angle of view and only keep a part of the picture in focus, so that you can shoot interesting images with model effect.

▲ Real shooting effect reference.

Note: During shooting, you can turn on the built-in "reference line" of the camera as an aid in time, which makes it easier for you to master the overall picture balance.

Images with clear foreground and background can also be obtained under the maximum aperture.

In the past, if you want to get an image with clear foreground and background, most of you will shoot it by narrowing the aperture. Now you can use the tilt function of the shift lens to change the angle between the optical axis and the focal plane, so that even if you shoot with full aperture, you can get an image with clear foreground and background, and at the same time, you can have a higher shutter speed, making it easier to create a low-light scene. As shown above, they are all works under F4 full aperture, but the imaging effect is not much different!

▲ If the tilt angle or offset function is not used, the lens is no different from the general lens, and the image works with clear foreground and blurred background will be shot with the maximum aperture.

▲ However, if the tilt function is used to change the angle between the optical axis and the focal plane so that it is parallel to the side of the cork, even in the case of full aperture, the image works with clear foreground and background can be obtained.

It can also be widely used in commercial photography.

Because the core appeal of commercial photography is to pursue the truth of the subject, the faithful presentation of form is more strict than other shooting themes. In order to avoid the distortion and deformation of the original shape of the subject, many commercial photographers will buy shift-axis lenses to solve this problem. For example, if you shoot with a general medium-wide angle lens, the image of the wine bottle will tilt outward. However, by using the combination of the above offset and tilt functions, we can take straight and faithful commercial photos.

▲ (left) shift lens shooting, (right) general wide-angle lens.

▲ Schematic diagram of scene

▲ By using the tilt angle and translation function of the axis-shifting lens, you can take commercial photos with no deformation and clear foreground background.

TIPS 05 shoots a more slender leg shape

What! ? Axis shifting lens can also be used for portrait creation. That's right! Using the unique offset effect of the shift lens and the imaging characteristics of the wide-angle lens, a more slender portrait can be taken. Take the following figure as an example. If you shoot with a general wide-angle lens (the same height as the shift-axis lens), you will get the unique deformation effect of the wide-angle lens, which makes the legs narrow and look shorter than the actual legs. But if you use the offset function of the shift lens, you can shoot a perfect portrait with long legs and no deformation.

▲ (left) shift lens shooting, (right) general wide-angle lens.

▲ Schematic diagram of scene

▲ Using the offset function of the shift lens, you can take a portrait with long legs and no deformation.

Interesting panoramic synthesis effect

If you like funny players, you can also use shifting lenses to play interesting panoramic effects. The method is simple. As long as the camera is mounted on a tripod and adjusted horizontally, two different continuous shooting scenes can be synthesized by using the offset function, and then an interesting panoramic work can be obtained by using the PhotoStitch software attached to Canon. For details of the operation, the reader can refer to the following process description.

1. First, judge the framing direction of the building. For example, I decided to use banner composition to create a scene.

2. First move to the left to take pictures.

3. First, offset the right to take pictures.

4. After completion, use PhotoStitch software to synthesize.

5. You can get a perfect and interesting panoramic work after fine-tuning.

Note that the scene should not be too complicated and there should be no moving objects (leaves), otherwise the synthesis effect may not be as ideal as expected.