Not using the ‘correct’ focal length

While they’re capable of delivering dramatic results, wide-angle lenses need to be used with care as they can also deliver peculiar results – when used close up to shoot a portrait, for example, they can end up distorting a person’s features. They can also make backgrounds seem small and insignificant in landscapes. While sometimes you might want to play with a portrait and have fun with the effect, as a rule it’s not what most people having their photos taken appreciate. For both portraits and landscapes, switching to a lens with a slightly longer focal length and shooting from farther away may be more desirable.