Photo How To

Are you confused by the difference between Angle of View and Field of View, and how these important considerations affect your photography? And what about the synergy between these terms and focal length?

The quick explainer below from the folks at Photography PX clears up the confusion in barely eight minutes by demonstrating why the concepts of Field of View and Angle of View are definitely NOT interchangeable. Today's instructor Devaun Lennox co-founded the YouTube channel "with the sole mission of providing techniques and tools for beginner and developing photographers alike."

Lennox begins with a quick overview of focal length because that's the first thing most photographers consider when pulling a lens out of their bag or making a purchase. Most shooters understand how wide, normal, and telephoto lenses affect the perspective and magnification of their photos. In theoretical terms "focal length (expressed in millimeters) describes the point of convergence of light rays on the sensor to form a sharp and focused image."

Angle of View, on the other hand, describes how much of the scene a specific lens is able to capture, measured in degrees. Lennox explains that most manufacturers express Angle of View by measuring the diagonal of an image—calculated by using a combination of focal length and sensor size." Lennox includes a formula for doing the simple math yourself.

So what's the deal with Field of View? Lennox defines the term like this: "It represents the calculated field size, meaning how large the subject appears in the frame of your photo." According to Lennox this calculation is based upon three variables instead of two—namely, focal length, sensor size AND the dimensional variable he explains.

The lesson continues with practical applications of the foregoing, including important implications for image quality. There's a link to a blog in the description beneath the video with additional visuals if you're so inclined. And be sure to check out the instructional PhotographyPX YouTube channel.

Speaking of perspective, don't miss our earlier tutorial featuring a British pro who explains how to get started in panorama photography with gear recommendations, shooting techniques, and straightforward post-processing advice