What does a wide angle lens typically enhance in photography?

A wide-angle lens is designed to capture a broader field of view, which enhances the illusion of depth within a shot. This characteristic comes from the lens's ability to exaggerate perspectives and emphasize the foreground relative to the background. When photographically manipulated, wide-angle lenses can create a sense of three-dimensional space, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene and making the subject appear more pronounced against a vast background. This effect is particularly effective in landscapes, architectural photography, and any situation where the photographer wants to convey the scale and depth of the environment.

While sharpness, the ability to capture motion, and color saturation are important aspects of photography, they are not the defining advantages of a wide-angle lens. The focus on depth illusion distinctly differentiates this type of lens from others, allowing photographers to creatively manipulate space within their compositions.