please critique - is this barrel distortion bad? how to correct?

[valdore]

I am seeking opinion and advice on the barrel distortion in this photo resulting from using my wide angle lens (at 17 mm on a full frame sensor).

The buildings look like they are leaning backwards, as a result of the wide angle effect. And out of curiosity, how would I correct it in Photoshop?

 

[Edge100]

I am seeking opinion and advice on the barrel distortion in this photo resulting from using my wide angle lens (at 17 mm on a full frame sensor).

The buildings look like they are leaning backwards, as a result of the wide angle effect. And out of curiosity, how would I correct it in Photoshop?

The barrel distortion isn't an issue (I believe you use the 17-40L, yes?); I have the same lens, and even on a 5D, it's not too bad (it's a really good lens!).

The perspective distortion can be repaired in PS. Here's a tutorial that explains it better than I could:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/correctinglensdistortion.htm

 

[cube]

The best tool do this is DxO, if your equipment is supported.

 

[ChrisA]

I am seeking opinion and advice on the barrel distortion in this photo resulting from using my wide angle lens (at 17 mm on a full frame sensor).

The buildings look like they are leaning backwards, as a result of the wide angle effect. And out of curiosity, how would I correct it in Photoshop?

This is NOT "barrel distortion" and is not a defect. This will happen with ANY camera when you aim it upward. The effect is greater with a wide angle lens not because the lens is wide but because you are close to the subject and therefore must aim upward at a steep angle. The simple explanation is that the top of the building as farther away from the camera than the bottom so of course being farther away it looks smaller.

The traditional way to correct this is to use a large format camera and set the film plane vertical (camera aimed horizontal) and then shift the lens upward to shift the subject back onto the film. Small format cameras do not typically allow shifts (there are some special lenses mode just for architectural photography.) so you have two options (1) get way back and shoot from a much longer distance so the camera need not be aimed upward or "fix" the image in Photoshop. PS has a perspective control that is easy to use. But the advice from most architectural photographers is to correct out only "most" of this. If all of the vertical lines are exactly parallel then it looks un-natural, leave them a little bit convergent

 

[jwt]

As others have stated, this image is not barrel distorted--it is keystoned. PS will fix this no problem.

 

[anubis]

Actually, technically what you're referring to is not barrel distortion, nor keystone distortion. The distortion you're referring to is called the Scheimpflug condition. Even with a PERFECT lens, the only way to correct it in the camera is to have a lens that has independent movement in all axis from the focal plane (I'm betting that no one on this form has a Scheimpflug camera). Otherwise, you'll have to Photoshop it.

 

[John T]

I'm betting that no one on this form has a Scheimpflug camera.

'Fraid you've lost your bet! I still have my Father's Goertz 1/4 plate camera with rising and tilting front.

 

[Kebabselector]

Does a TSE lens count

(no i've not bought it yet)

 

[OreoCookie]

No, it's not barrels distortion, it's falling lines (which I think works well on this shot). Basically the plane of the building's wall is not parallel to the focus plane and thus the building seems to `fall backwards.' It's not a fault of the lens, but a result of the way you've composed the shot; the effect is increasingly pronounced for smaller viewing angles (i. e. for wide-angle lenses).

The only way to avoid is to get a tilt lens (expensive) or a camera which allows this (expensive). You can get rid of this effect in Photoshop to certain degrees, but I think it works rather nicely on your shot

 

[anubis]

'Fraid you've lost your bet! I still have my Father's Goertz 1/4 plate camera with rising and tilting front.

Damn! Alright, you win

 

[hector]

I think it looks cool...

 

[Muncher]

Let's get technical, shall we?

 

[bocomo]

'Fraid you've lost your bet! I still have my Father's Goertz 1/4 plate camera with rising and tilting front.

and i have a 4x5 toyo! ha, take that!

i think the "falling away" of the building fits the mood of this particular pic

but i do question the flowers being in color. it draws the attention to them which competes with the building which i consider the main character in this pic. just a thought

 

[unclegit]

e (I'm betting that no one on this form has a Scheimpflug camera). Otherwise, you'll have to Photoshop it.

You'd bet wrong then

Also it's not a "Scheimpflug camera" - just a view/field camera.

It's my preferred rig for landscape work

 

[compuwar]

(I'm betting that no one on this form has a Scheimpflug camera).

Canham MQC 57
Calumet 4x5 (2x)

Guess you haven't been reading here much, I know there are at least three or four other LF shooters here.