How can lens distortion be corrected?

Lens distortion occurs when straight lines appear curved or the image has an unnatural shape due to the characteristics of a lens. The most effective way to correct lens distortion is through the use of specialized lenses that are designed to minimize distortion, such as rectilinear lenses for wide-angle photography, which help ensure that lines remain straight.

In addition to using such lenses, post-processing methods in software programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop can also effectively correct for lens distortion. These programs often have built-in profiles for various camera and lens combinations, allowing photographers to automatically apply the necessary corrections. By using both specialized lenses and post-processing software, photographers can achieve images that accurately represent the scene without distortions that could detract from the quality of the photograph.

In contrast, changing the camera angle alone may not effectively correct distortion, as the inherent lens characteristics remain unchanged. Increasing the ISO settings affects image sensitivity to light but does not influence lens distortion. Similarly, applying a color filter primarily alters color characteristics and does not counteract distortion issues. Therefore, utilizing specialized lenses and post-processing methods is the most comprehensive approach to correcting lens distortion.