Distortion is a flaw in the picture or an unusual artistic solution?

Distortion is an error or error in a combination of optical elements, during which the coefficient of linear magnification varies over the field of view of the lens.

Definition of distortion

Distortion from the Latin language is translated as "curvature". In the case of distortion, there is a disruption of the similarity between the object and its visual image. Distortion is an error. It can be corrected at the stage of choosing an optical system when choosing lenses or when editing photos in a PC. Distortion is a noticeable phenomenon if there are straight horizontal or vertical lines in the frame. In the case of distortion, straight lines become curved outward or into the image. It is clearly pronounced when photographing architectural buildings, trees, pillars and other objects.

Types of Distortion

Distortion occurs in two types: barrel-shaped and pillow-shaped.

Barrel or convex distortion is distinguished by the fact that the bend of the line is directed outward, while the object becomes convex, and this is strongly noticeable with respect to the edges of the image.

As for pincushion or concave distortion, it is distinguished by the bend of the line closer to the center of the frame, that is, the lines appear to be concave inside the image.

Also, barrel distortion is called positive, and pillow-like distortion is called negative.

Distortion when shooting

The reason for the distortion of the camera may be hidden in the lens of your camera. If this is more clearly disclosed, it can be noted that when using cheap lenses, which can be doubted, the picture is distorted. This often refers to the lens, which is called "zoom lens", they have a variable focal length, which is what causes the distortion.

The second reason lies in the moment of photographing - this is the convergence of lines that are parallel to each other in an inclined position, or when the photographer is bending over. Basically, this happens when high buildings are removed from the lower angle.

To avoid distortion when shooting, you can use a few simple rules:

• Purchase a quality lens, preferably wide-angle;
• Move away from the object further away, and when photographing, bring it closer.

If these two simple rules did not help, then this problem can be solved by photo editors. This is done quite easily.

Correction of distortion during processing

If the distortion is not noticeable, then it can be removed when downloading the Adobe Camera Raw tools, using the Adobe Lens Profile Downloader. Open the program Adobe Camera Raw, click the picture that you want to edit. Go to the Lens Corrections tab and activate the lens profile by ticking Enable Lens Profile Corrections.

First you need to open a photo in this program and go to the Lens Corrections section, then select Manual, there you will see such items as distortion, vertical, rotate and others. It is necessary to move the distortion slider to the minus value as much as it takes to completely eliminate the distortion.

"Well, how can I correct the distortion in Photoshop?" - you ask: Yes, easily! First open the photo in Adobe Photoshop, then the Filters tab and select Lens Correctons.You will open a window and you should open the Custom tab, then move the slider Under the name Remove Distortion in a positive value until the full correction of the distortion.

Intentional Distortion

Not always photographers consider distortion a lack of photography, some try to do it intentionally with the help of an objective or when processing a photo in the editor.

As for the lens, it is very common "Fish Eye" or as it is also called "Fisheye". This is a kind of so-called ultra-wide-angle lenses, which have a convex front lens under 180 degrees, which is what causes distortion in the images. The fish eye lens is of two types: circular and diagonal. A circular lens is most often met in meteorology to take photographs of the sky. The diagonal lens is most common among photographers. We even know the name of the first photographer who first used this type. This is Borodulin Lev Abramovich, who is a famous Soviet and Israeli photographer specializing in sports photography.

There are a number of other lenses, but all of them are aimed at creating a distortion of the image, such devices can be found in Nikon, Canon, and other companies that produce cameras.

You can make a distortion in Photoshop specifically, you need to open the desired image, select it and go to the "Edit" tab, then you need to select the "Transformation" function, there will be a number of additional functions, you should select "Deformation". Your image will be placed in the grid, it is in it that you need to work. Pull the image as you need it.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that distortion is most often perceived in a negative way, in some cases this effect is used intentionally to focus on some particular moment or part of the object. This effect has been used in the photo industry for a long time, but it has gained a lot of popularity relatively recently.

Distortion is a way of self-expression of the photographer, an opportunity to show one's individuality. It gives the picture a special chic and specificity. Today, an increasing number of photographers around the world are beginning to work closely with this effect and to make full use of the opportunities that distortion gives. Of course, not all professionals, and even ordinary people, like photographs taken with the use of this effect, but to deny the fact that in recent years interest in distortion has greatly increased, there is no sense, since it is obvious.