MASTER TELEPHOTO LENSES

Discover how you can take your photography to the next level by harnessing the power of long lenses

- Kim Bunermann

Telephoto lenses are among the most popular pieces of photographic kit, offering opportunities for stunning closeup shots, and making it easier to get close to the action and capture candid moments in rich detail. Due to their versatility, telephoto lenses have become indispensable in many photographic genres, such as wildlife, where a photographer benefits from being able to shoot animals from a distance without frightening them or risking their own safety.

A big advantage of telephoto lenes is the compressed perspective, which makes backgrounds appear closer to subjects while excluding distracting elements. This is particularly useful when shooting action, as the compressed perspective also creates a sense of pace. The distance from the subject, combined with a wide aperture, makes backgrounds appear blurred, highlighting key features and drawing attention to the subject. Prime telephoto lenses are also used for portraits, delivering flattering results with minimal distortion.

The flexibility of telephoto lenses encourages creativity; however, they aren’t easy to handle, as their weight and technical aspects are challenging, which makes it important that you know how to use them, especially if shooting handheld. Here we’ll give you some insights into the versatility and power of telephoto lenses, and show you how you can use them take your projects to a new level.

FIND YOUR TELEPHOTO 
Telephoto lenses aren’t cheap, so let’s compare the different types of optic to help you find the most suitable options for your photographic needs