10-20mm Sigma for vacation portraits?

I have seen some great photos of people posing in front of landscapes and

citiscapes that were taken using a 10-20mm lens. Every time I try to do the

same thing, however, I get really goofy looking distortion. How does one best

set up these images? Is there a trick to it?

 

Thanks for the advice!

Shoot your subjects straight on or from slightly above.

To keep the subject vertical, the camera back must be vertical and lens axis horizontal. This necessitates placing the camera below eye level usually.

Okay, so if I understand this right, I need to keep the camera perfectly square to my subject in both axis. But I am still confused because one of you said to shoot from slightly above and the other said to shoot with the camera below eye level, and those seem contrary to me.

 

Also, is there an advantage to where the subject is located? In other words, does the rule of thirds apply or is it best to put the subject right in the middle?

 

Again, thanks for the help.

Ronald and I slightly disagree. Shooting slightly from above will thin legs and broaden chests (which can be flattering), shooting from below has the opposite effect. Nothing wrong with shooting straight across, but I would tend more towards eye level.

And a 10-20mm lens usually works better when you use a tripod. The tripod makes the 'leveling' easier to get when you are shooting.

I disagree with leveling on a tripod, you just need to train yourself to do that in your hands and look good in the viewfinder. Try to find straght lines and use the grid in teh viewfinder.

Software like DXO, Bibble, etc. can correct 'goofy looking distortion'.

 

You do want to position yourself perpendicular to your subject matter. Do some practice shots with a willing subject and you will find out whether positioning yourself slightly above, slightly below or straight on is best for you.

The perspective distortion will be severest at the edges of your wide angle frame.

 

Do shoot the tires (front and back) of a car from 3+/- feet off to the side and see the ellipses. People do not look good ellipsed! Then move so one tire is square in the middle of the frame. Do you notice the difference?

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all of the input. I am going to have to try that car tire trick to

get a better hang of it.

Also keep in mind that almost all awesome shots have post processing done to them.........