Correct wonky perspectives

Using a tripod and a tilt-shift lens, Jason Parnell-Brookes shows you how to photograph architecture with your Nikon

Correct converging verticals in-camera by using a tilt-shift lens

Tilt-shift lenses are fantastic for perspectival correction, naturally making them the lenses of choice for architectural photography.

When photographing a tall, straight object from afar (like shooting up at a cathedral) the top of the building appears as if it’s leaning away from us. This is called the keystone effect.

To counteract this unwanted effect, we can use a tilt-shift lens. Tilt-shift lenses tilt the plane of focus and shift the perspective distortion. The tilt function allows us to change the direction of the plane of focus, while shift gives us the power to straighten lines. In this case we dial in some shift on the lens to straighten that lean, and correct the perspective.

As well as using a tilt-shift lens you’ll also need a tripod. These buildings are often big and dark inside, which means you’ll need to use either a high ISO or a long shutter speed – the latter being our favourite option (for reasons explained later).

We went to Wells Cathedral where there are huge columns, ornate stonework, and intricate pipes in the organ chest, all of which means a lot of leaning lines to correct.

With a tilt-shift lens, a tripod and our Nikon, we’ll show how to take the perfect cathedral shot.