Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time. – Steven Wright
Before I go on a trip, I try and rent a lens that I’ve never used before. This time on my trip to Chicago, Illinois I rented two lenses, a Sigma 8mm circular fisheye and a Canon 24mm Tilt and Shift. I have never used a fisheye before, so it was tough deciding on the 8mm and the 15mm fisheye. I chose the Sigma 8mm fisheye because it was the most extreme and really wanted to experiment with the Chicago skyscrapers. When I first started taking photos with the fisheye, I thought I made a huge mistake renting it. I didn’t like any of the photos I took, nor did I think I would get any usable photos from it. On the second day I pointed the camera straight up and this opened up a whole new range of uses for the lens. I took about 4 different photos that I really like, but after 3 days I thought it would have been more. This lens takes some real getting use to, the 180 degree view and the distortion was strange and distracting to me. Since it only cost $36 to rent for 4 days and it has such limited uses that I would rent it instead of buying it. I just couldn’t see using it enough to justify purchasing it.
My Daily Photo: Chicago Fisheye Skyline.
This is a 7 exposure HDR of the Chicago skyline. I took this about 2 blocks west of Michigan Ave on the Chicago River. Up to this point I was very unhappy with the circular fisheye, but after I saw this photo and all the building looked like they were closing in on me I started to give it a real chance. Because it has a 180 degree field of view, cropping is not really an option. I would differently recommend trying a fisheye out just for the creative possibilities alone.
Chicago Fisheye Skyline.
Tags: 2011, Canon, Canon 5D Mk II, Chicago, HDR, Illinois, Photo, Photography, Scenery, Skyline, Travel, Vacation
Kristi Hines - That’s an interesting perspective considering you wouldn’t get all of those buildings in one photo otherwise. Nice shot!
Kristi Hines recently posted..Freak Power Graffiti
A.Barlow - Wow, that’s a pretty cool perspective. First time I have seen a skyline done like this. Good job.
Theys monochrome. - Wonderful perspective!
Viveca Koh - It’s not a lens that you could use all the time, but I think that at times like this it comes into its’ own! Very cool shot
Viveca Koh recently posted..Street art by Kid Acne & Dscreet- Shoreditch- East London by Viveca Koh
Chris Frailey - Great perspective.
Chris Frailey recently posted..A Road to Somewhere
My Ugly Photos - Thanks for all the great comments, they are really appreciated.
My Ugly Photos - You could probably take some sweet urbex shots with this. Like your 1 room 3 floors post.
Keith Moyer - This is a cool shot!