Photography tips

Using a wide angle creatively

View of the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a cloudy evening sky.

The effect of wide-angle focal lengths

Working with wide-angle focal lengths between 12 mm and 30 mm allows for a comprehensive capture of the subject. This range is suitable for documenting both expansive scenes and architectural contexts in Lucerne.

Composition with the foreground

Incorporating a prominent foreground changes the spatial depth of your image. Combining a nearby object with the surrounding area creates a direct link between details and the architectural background.

Precision in image composition

When using ultra-wide-angle focal lengths, precise camera alignment is essential. Careful placement of elements within the frame minimizes converging verticals and ensures a cohesive composition.

What using wide-angle photography changes

Low angle view of the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church in Lucerne under a clear sky.
15 mm · f/4.5 · 1/400 s · ISO 400

Spatial depth and dimensions

Using a wide-angle focal length emphasizes the distance between a near foreground and the background. This increases the spatial effect and makes the large dimensions of landscapes or buildings visible in a single shot.

View of the Pilatus peaks with hotel and transmission towers in daylight
100 mm · f/11 · 1/160 s · ISO 100

Managing image sharpness

By selecting a closed aperture such as f/16, you control the depth of field in wide-angle shots. This ensures that both details on the ground and distant architectural elements remain in focus.

Alpine flowers in the foreground with Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and the mountain summit under a clear sky.
12 mm · f/18 · 1/80 s · ISO 200

Integrating the foreground

A deliberately chosen object in the foreground serves as a design element to frame the scene. This technique connects details such as flowers or chains directly with the expansive surroundings of the city.

Three concrete examples

People and a cyclist in a narrow alley in Lucerne Old Town with backlighting.
20 mm
The Hofkirche in Lucerne at night with a colourful light projection reflecting in the Reuss river.
12 mm
Chapel Bridge with flower-decorated roof over the Reuss, with Mount Pilatus in the background.
12 mm

Key tips

  1. Actively include the foreground at 12 mm to complement the wide-angle subject and emphasize depth.
  2. Use a closed aperture of f/16 to ensure consistent depth of field in wide-angle shots.
  3. Ensure precise camera alignment at 12 mm to minimize converging verticals on buildings.

Photographs on this topic

327 photographs with tips

The exact camera settings for each shot are shown below it - a starting point for recreating the look yourself. Click through to a photograph for detailed photography tips on that specific shot, under "Photography tips for this image".

All subjects City Architecture Mountains Landscape Lucerne Pilatus Lake Lucerne Central Switzerland
View of the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a cloudy evening sky. 12 mm · f/14 · 1/15 s · ISO 200 View through a round railing at the sunset-lit Reuss river in Lucerne 13 mm · f/18 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 View through an ornate metal railing towards the old town of Lucerne and the Reuss river at sunset. 12 mm · f/16 · 1/200 s · ISO 200 View through an ornamental metal gate onto the Wasserturm and Kapellbrücke in Lucerne at dusk. 12 mm · f/22 · 1/10 s · ISO 125 Stone Nölliturm in Lucerne viewed from a low angle 12 mm · f/22 · 1/13 s · ISO 160 An anniversary flag of FC Luzern waving against the backdrop of the city of Lucerne at Lake Lucerne. 29 mm · f/16 · 1/160 s · ISO 200 Facade of Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne illuminated in blue at night with a crowd in the foreground 12 mm · f/8 · 1.6 s · ISO 160 Illuminated facade of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne at night 12 mm · f/8 · 1.6 s · ISO 160 View through the wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne in the morning sunlight 12 mm · f/16 · 1/15 s · ISO 500 View across the Seebrücke bridge in Lucerne with pink flowers in the foreground at sunrise 12 mm · f/16 · 1/800 s · ISO 500 Panoramic view of the city of Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the background under a blue sky 12 mm · f/16 · 1/160 s · ISO 200 Wide angle view of Lake Lucerne with the city skyline and Mount Pilatus in the background under a blue sky. 12 mm · f/16 · 1/160 s · ISO 200 Wasserturm and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne at sunset 15 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 400 Wasserturm of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne at sunset 26 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 320 View from the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne towards the Water Tower at sunset 12 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 800 Water tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne in the soft light of the evening sun 12 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 1000 View from the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne overlooking the Reuss River with historic buildings in the background 20 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 500 View from the Chapel Bridge towards the Jesuit Church and the Reuss river in Lucerne at sunset 12 mm · f/22 · 1/60 s · ISO 250 The Reuss river in Lucerne with the Rathaussteg bridge in the backlight of the setting sun 16 mm · f/22 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 View of the Chapel Bridge with water tower and Mount Pilatus in the background in Lucerne 16 mm · f/22 · 2 s · ISO 64 Close-up of pink magnolia blossoms in front of the historic Musegg Tower in Lucerne 12 mm · f/14 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 Facade of Villa Schweizerhof with garden and terrace in Lucerne 12 mm · f/18 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 View from a flowery meadow at the facade of the Villa Schweizerhof in Lucerne. 12 mm · f/18 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 White Villa Schweizerhof in Lucerne in front of a meadow with daisies in the foreground 12 mm · f/18 · 1/160 s · ISO 200

Related topics

  • City
  • Architecture
  • Mountains
  • Landscape
  • Composition
  • Camera settings
  • Light
  • Perspective
  • Lucerne
  • Pilatus
  • Lake Lucerne
  • Central Switzerland
  • Evening light
  • Sunset
  • Blue hour
  • Night
  • Snow
  • Rain
  • Fog
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