zaro

What is Compression Photography?

Published in Photography Techniques 2 mins read

Compression photography, more accurately referred to as lens compression, is a visual effect achieved primarily through the use of telephoto lenses, making objects in the foreground and background appear closer together than they actually are.

Understanding Lens Compression

While the term implies the lens itself is "compressing" the image, the effect is actually a result of the relative distance between the camera, the subject, and the background.

  • Telephoto Lenses and Distance: Telephoto lenses, by their nature, require the photographer to be farther away from the subject to achieve the desired framing.

  • The Role of Distance: As you move further away from the subject (and zoom in with a telephoto lens to maintain the subject's size in the frame), the distance between objects in the foreground, subject, and background appears to diminish. This is because the change in perspective from the camera's point of view is less significant.

  • Visual Result: The effect is a flattening of depth, where objects appear "compressed" together, diminishing the perceived distance between them. This can make distant objects appear larger relative to foreground objects.

Example

Imagine photographing a mountain range with a person standing in the foreground.

  • Wide-Angle Lens (Close Distance): If you are close to the person with a wide-angle lens, the mountains will appear relatively small in the distance. The distance between the person and the mountains will feel vast.

  • Telephoto Lens (Far Distance): If you move far away and use a telephoto lens to make the person the same size in the frame, the mountains will appear much larger and closer to the person. The perceived distance between them is reduced.

Key Takeaways

  • It's About Distance: Lens compression is primarily a function of camera distance, not the lens itself.
  • Telephoto Lenses Are Tools: Telephoto lenses are typically used because they allow you to maintain subject size while increasing the distance between the camera and the subject.
  • Flattening Effect: The perceived depth in the image is reduced, creating a "compressed" look.

Is it distortion?

No, lens compression is not distortion in the traditional sense. Distortion refers to optical aberrations within the lens that alter the shape of objects. Compression photography is a result of perspective and how distance affects the relative sizes and positions of elements in the image.