Photography Distance Guides
In-depth articles on subject distance, working distance, and distance calculations for bird, wildlife, portrait, and video photographers.
Subject Distance for Video: Staying in Focus While Moving
Keep moving subjects in focus on video: how much depth of field you really have, lens and autofocus tracking settings, and distance management that works.
Read articleWildlife Safety Distances: How Far Is Far Enough?
Minimum safe distances for photographing wildlife, from bears and bison to birds and marine mammals. Ethical guidelines that protect you and the animals.
Read articlePortrait Distance: What Focal Length at What Range
The best portrait focal lengths and the distances they need, from 35mm environmental to 135mm compression, and how distance changes face shape and background.
Read articleMacro Photography: Working Distance Explained
Working distance in macro photography: what it is, why it matters more than magnification for live subjects, and how lenses from 50mm to 200mm compare.
Read articleStreet Photography: The Right Distance for Strangers
How far should you stand from strangers on the street? Distances for each focal length, the body language that says you are too close, and how to think about it.
Read articleTelephoto Compression: How Distance Changes Your Background
Telephoto compression is caused by shooting distance, not the lens. How the background grows as you step back, with real examples and numbers.
Read articleBird Photography: How to Calculate If Your Lens Is Enough
Is a 500mm lens enough for a robin at 15 m or a heron at 50 m? The calculation, plus a species guide to minimum focal length for frame-filling bird shots.
Read articleMinimum Focus Distance: What It Really Means (and What It Doesn't)
Minimum focus distance is measured from the sensor, not the front of the lens. What it tells you, what it does not, and how to find your real working distance.
Read articleNight Sky Photography: How Far Away Are the Stars?
Stars are so far away that subject distance means nothing, which changes how you focus, expose and think about night sky photography. What it means for settings.
Read articleArchitecture Photography: Distance, Perspective, and Distortion
Architecture photography distance: how far back a level camera needs for a 30 m building (57 m at 24mm), tilt angles, shift lenses and when to fix convergence.
Read articleConcert Photography: Working Distance in Dark Venues
Concert photography working distance: frame size by lens at 4, 8 and 15 m, the three-song rule, shutter speeds for singers and drummers, and LED flicker.
Read articleWedding Photography: Distances for Every Moment
Wedding photography distances: how large the couple is at 20 m with 70, 135 and 200mm lenses, portrait distances for 85 to 135mm, and lens choice for each moment.
Read articleReal Estate Photography Lens Distance Guide
Real estate lens distance: why a corner view needs about 90 degrees (18mm), focal length by room size, wide-angle stretching, level verticals, and exteriors.
Read articlePet Photography: The Right Distance for Animals
Pet photography distance: why a phone held 0.4 m from a dog exaggerates the nose by 25 to 30 percent, how far to stand by lens, and how to shoot action safely.
Read articleFood Photography: The Right Distance for Your Lens
Food photography distance by angle and lens, how thin depth of field is (1.3 cm at 0.8 m, f/2.8, 85mm), macro working distance and room for lights.
Read articleFitness and Gym Photography Distance Guide
Gym photography distance: how far for torso portraits, full-body lifts and hand detail, how a wide lens exaggerates the body, mirror angles and safety near lifts.
Read articleNewborn and Baby Photography Distance Guide
Newborn photography distance: why babies are not more sensitive to distortion, how far to stand by lens (85mm at 1.8 m), safety and macro detail shots.
Read articleCar and Automotive Photography Distance Guide
Car photography distance: how far for three-quarter shots (about 16 m with an 85mm), why side profiles need 10 m or more, plus details, interiors, rolling shots.
Read articleHow High Was Your Drone? Estimate Altitude From a Photo
Work out a drone's height from one photo using an object of known size, the real focal length and sensor width. Includes the DJI metadata shortcut.
Read articleCalculate Subject Distance
Use our free calculator to find exactly how far your subject was, or needs to be, for any lens and camera combination.
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