• archive
  • blog
  • publications
  • store
  • about
  • contact
  • newsletter
  • Menu

aows

  • archive
  • blog
  • publications
  • store
  • about
  • contact
  • newsletter

Shoot wider than you need

March 22, 2025 in journal

Whenever I have a composition I like framed in my camera, before pressing the shutter I like to either zoom out, or take a step back.

While you can always crop in post (especially with a high-resolution camera), you can never “zoom out” after the fact.

By shooting wider than I need, I give myself room to fine-tune the framing later. Sometimes, I realize the composition needs more negative space; other times, a slight shift left/right, or up/down, makes for a stronger image.

Whenever possible, give your future self some wiggle room to experiment in post. They’ll thank you.

Tags: composition, camera gear, photography
Prev / Next
Featured
Jun 12, 2025
A local photography adventure
Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
Jun 7, 2025
Live with FRAMES magazine
Jun 7, 2025
Jun 7, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Conversation with Dimitris Kotakos
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Creative B&W Editing in Elements Magazine
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Some images are gone forever... and new ones appeared
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
May 29, 2025
This trip demanded everything
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
May 19, 2025
Photography Plans vs Reality (from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan)
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025