How to Shoot Adventure Photography with a 16–35mm Wide-Angle Lens
Today, we’re talking about how to shoot adventure photography with a 16-35mm lens. If you’ve ever wanted your photos to make people feel the scene—not just see it—the 16–35mm wide-angle lens is one of the best tools you can carry.
In this article, I’ll break down why this lens might just be the ultimate adventure photography lens, how to compose with it, when to zoom, and my best real-world tips for capturing bold, immersive shots outdoors.
👉 Affiliate Note: Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it helps support our work at no extra cost to you.
What Is a Wide-Angle Lens?
A wide-angle lens has a shorter focal length than standard lenses, usually 35mm or below on a full-frame camera. This allows it to capture a wider field of view, exaggerate the relative size of nearby objects, and create a sense of depth.
- Wide-angle: typically 24–35mm.
- Ultra wide-angle lenses: 14–24mm.
- Fish-eye lenses: even wider, but highly distorted.
For adventure photography, wide angles are prized for showing sweeping landscapes, dramatic skies, and storytelling compositions where the subject is part of a larger scene.
👉 Related gear: Shop Wide Angle Lenses for Canon, Sony, Nikon
Why the 16–35mm Is My Favorite Adventure Lens
I’ll admit it: choosing a favorite lens feels impossible. But if you twisted my arm, I’d pick the 16–35mm.
Wide-angle lenses like this capture not only the vast scale of the landscape but also the experience of being there. They let you photograph every step, every breath, and every awe-struck moment in a way that feels immersive.
When I first fell in love with photography (and with Marc, my husband and co-photographer), the challenge was always how to capture what our adventures felt like. The 16–35mm gave me that ability.
This lens is perfect for:
- Epic landscapes – mountains, valleys, coastlines.
- Storytelling scenes – a hiker dwarfed by cliffs, a tent glowing under the Milky Way.
- Tight spaces – inside vans, tents, or slot canyons.
And the zoom range is incredibly practical: 16mm for sweeping vistas, 35mm for more natural perspectives without swapping lenses.
👉 Shop 16–35mm lenses on Amazon:
Composition Tips for Wide-Angle Adventure Shots
Wide-angle photography is powerful, but it’s not foolproof. It can overwhelm your frame if you don’t compose intentionally. The reward? When you get it right, you invite your viewer into the scene.
Here are my go-to techniques:
1. Use Foreground Elements
Foreground anchors the scene. Think rocks, trails, puddles, or gear. By crouching low, you make small details feel huge, creating depth and scale.
2. Lead With Lines
Rivers, ridgelines, or roads are natural leading lines. With a wide-angle lens, these lines become dramatic pathways that pull the eye into the frame.
3. Frame Within a Frame
Use trees, cave openings, windows, or even your tent door to frame your subject. It gives direction and structure to wide, sprawling scenes.
4. Embrace Negative Space
Wide lenses tempt us to “fit it all in,” but sometimes the most powerful photo is one with less. Let open skies or empty landscapes speak to the grandeur of the place.
5. Watch the Distortion
At 16mm, straight lines bend and faces stretch. Keep horizons and people away from the edges unless you want that warped look.
6. Place Your Subject Thoughtfully
If landscapes come naturally to you, imagine the perfect scene first—then place your subject where they complete the story. If storytelling is your strength, place your subject first and adjust your perspective to balance the landscape.
When to Use 16mm vs. 35mm
The magic of the 16–35mm is versatility. But when should you go wide versus tighter?
- Stay at 16mm:
- To exaggerate scale and make mountains feel massive.
- In cramped spaces (tents, vans, caves).
- For sweeping skies at sunrise or sunset.
- To exaggerate scale and make mountains feel massive.
- In cramped spaces (tents, vans, caves).
- For sweeping skies at sunrise or sunset.
- Zoom to 35mm:
- To reduce clutter in busy backgrounds.
- For a more natural human perspective.
- When you want your subject (like a climber or hiker) to take center stage.
- To reduce clutter in busy backgrounds.
- For a more natural human perspective.
- When you want your subject (like a climber or hiker) to take center stage.
👉 Compare 16–35mm lenses for Sony here
Wide-Angle vs. Telephoto Lenses
Both wide-angle and telephoto lenses are essential in photography, but they tell different stories.
- Wide-angle lens: exaggerates depth, includes foreground objects, and immerses the viewer in the scene.
- Telephoto lens: compresses distance, isolates subjects, and is great for portraits or wildlife.
For adventure photography, wide-angle is often better for storytelling, while telephoto is useful when you can’t physically get close or want to compress the background.
👉 Tip: A good camera bag makes it easier to carry both when needed.
Adventure Shooting Tips with a 16–35mm Lens
Beyond composition, here’s a bit about how to make this lens shine on real adventures:
- Travel Light – One lens replaces many, saving weight on long hikes.
- Go Handheld – The wide focal length forgives motion blur, so you can shoot on the go.
- Embrace Movement – Dust, snow, wind, or water spray look more dramatic with a wide-angle.
- Get Close – Don’t just zoom. Physically step closer to your subject for immersive shots.
- Watch the Light – Lens flare can add fun, creative effects, but it can also overwhelm your image. Experiment with both.
Lighting and Perspective
Wide-angle photography is especially sensitive to light. A mediocre scene becomes magical in golden hour.
- Chase golden light – Sunrise and sunset stretch shadows and add color.
- Experiment with tilt – Point the camera slightly up for sky drama or down for textured trails.
- Balance the frame – Use visual weight (mountains, trees, or people) to prevent the landscape from overpowering your subject.
Why the 16–35mm Belongs in Every Adventure Photographer’s Bag
The 16–35mm lens is lightweight, versatile, and one of the best for creating depth and telling stories. It’s my favorite lens for travel photography and landscapes because it balances technical flexibility with creative freedom.
👉 Check current prices of the 16–35mm lens options on Amazon:
Conclusion: Stretch Your Vision
Photography isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about perspective. The 16–35mm lens reminds us that awe isn’t in the subject but in how we see.
Wide angles invite us to notice foreground elements, play with lines and shapes, and look at the world from a unique perspective.
If you want your adventure photos to feel immersive, powerful, and full of story, the 16–35mm wide-angle lens is a game-changer.
Next up: Check out more from my How to Shoot Series for lens-specific tips and real-world advice.
FAQs on Shooting Adventure Photography with a 16–35mm Lens
What is a 16–35mm lens good for?
A 16–35mm wide-angle zoom lens is ideal for landscape photography, travel photography, and adventure photography. At 16mm, you can capture sweeping vistas with an exaggerated sense of depth. At 35mm, you get a more natural look that’s perfect for photographing people without too much distortion.
Is a 35mm lens good for travel photography?
Yes, the 35mm focal length is one of the most versatile for travel. It captures context while still being flattering for portraits.
What is a 35mm lens good for?
On a full-frame camera, 35mm is excellent for street photography, environmental portraits, and travel scenes that balance subject and background.
How far should you stand back for portraits on a 35mm lens?
On a full frame, 3–6 feet is ideal. This avoids too much distortion in facial features while keeping the background visible.
What is a 16mm lens good for?
A 16mm ultra wide is great for dramatic skies, interiors, and astrophotography. It emphasizes foreground elements and creates an exaggerated sense of depth.
When should you not use a wide-angle lens?
Avoid using it for close-up portraits (distorts facial features) or architecture without correction (bent lines).
Is 40mm wide enough for travel?
Yes, but it’s tighter than 35mm. It works for most situations but won’t feel as expansive.
Is 35mm or 50mm better for travel?
35mm is better for storytelling and landscapes. 50mm is better for portraits and isolating subjects.
What lens is best for Machu Picchu?
A 16–35mm wide-angle is perfect for both landscapes and storytelling shots, pushing you out of your comfort zone .
What are the four guidelines to using a wide-angle lens effectively?
- Use foreground objects for depth.
- Lead with lines.
- Be intentional with your focal point.
- Control distortion.
What are the downsides of wide-angle lenses?
- Too much distortion on edges.
- Subjects can get lost.
- Hard to simplify busy scenes.
How to take good pictures with an ultra-wide-angle lens?
Get close, use leading lines, frame carefully, and embrace negative space.
What is the best f-stop for a wide-angle lens?
f/8–f/11 for landscapes, f/2.8 for low light or astro.
Is 16–35 a wide lens?
Yes, it’s considered wide to ultra-wide on a full-frame camera.
Is 16–35mm full-frame?
Yes. Designed for full-frame cameras, but works on cropped sensor cameras with a crop factor applied, making it more like a 24-50 on an APS-C camera.
What is the difference between a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens?
Telephoto compresses distance, wide-angle exaggerates it. Both create different perspectives.
What is the advantage of a wide-angle lens?
It creates depth, captures expansive scenes, and gives photos a unique perspective.
What does a wide-angle photo look like?
It often includes a dramatic foreground, a wide scene, and a sense of space that feels immersive.
What is an adventure photographer?
An adventure photographer captures the story of outdoor exploration—hiking, climbing, skiing—using tools like wide-angle lenses to share scale, energy, and emotion.
About the Authors
We’re the Bergreens, a husband-and-wife photography team based in Evergreen, Colorado. On our blog, we share gear tips, creative insights, and lessons from over a decade of shooting professionally. Dive into our favorite guides, from drone photography accessories to ND filters, or learn how to shoot with your favorite focal length.
Curious how 35mm and 50mm lenses compare? We’ve got you covered there too. We also offer free resources to help photographers thrive—whether you’re building a creative business or just trying to figure out what gear you really need. Download our Free Creative Business Guide or our Money + Gear Guide for Photographers to get started.
Got questions? Contact us—we’re always happy to help. And just so you know, some product links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase through them. It’s a great way to support the blog, and we only recommend gear we love.
