Selecting A Lens

We often think of camera lenses in terms of how much of the scene they capture: wide for big spaces, long for faraway subjects. But what if that’s only scratching the surface? In this episode, we challenge the common assumptions around focal length and reveal how lenses aren’t just tools for framing—they’re tools for storytelling. From The Hurt Locker to The Tree of Life, we unpack how lens choice can shape not just what we see, but how we feel. A wide shot with a long lens doesn’t just look different, it feels different. And those feelings can be used with precision, if you know how to speak the language of lenses.

 

We’ll explore how focal length affects intimacy, movement, distortion, and the emotional proximity between viewer and subject—even in tight, real-world locations. Whether it’s the subtle claustrophobia of Das Boot or the grand tension of Crimson Tide, the lens you choose can make a tight submarine feel like a prison or a palace. This episode takes you beyond technical specs and into the emotional grammar of lenses.