Photographing flat objects

Ozbozz

I'm having a hard time trying to photograph flat objects.
The results of my efforts look slightly warped with the sides of the flat object I am photographing dripping down and up slightly in a manner that suggests perspective.
I want the photograph of the flat object I am photographing to look geometrically flat. I don't want the sides of it to begin to taper.
How might I achieve this effect?

Kenny Logins

Moving the camera as far back as possible and zooming in will help. If you're close/wide the lens will distort in all directions.

Myksyk

^ this ... and if you know anyone with photoshop, you can correct any distortion to get it perfect.

CabanSail

What gear are you using?

If it's a Point & Shoot then the lenses are usually fairly wide. This will give distortion.

On a cropped body I would probably use a 50mm lens.

Ozbozz

Thanks for the tips guys. Yeah it's just a point 'n shoot. I understand the issue is with the lens now!
I was wondering if it was to do with my settings, but, yes, it would seem it is more so a hardware issue. I'll shoot from a distance zoomed in and correct on photoshop from now on, unless I manage to get my hands on a more suitable camera!

I don't understand the science behind the lenses. Why does a wide lens result in distortion? If wide lenses result in distortion, why are they used? What advantages do they have? Is there such a thing as a short-angle lens? and so on.. calls for some research.
If you're knowledgeable in this area, it'd be cool to read explanations from you here though!

CabanSail

The focal length of a lens dictates the angle of view. The shorter the focal length, in relation to the sensor size, the wider the angle of view.

A long focal length is often called a telephoto lens. A lens which gives an angle of view of about 50 degrees is a normal lens and those with a short focal length is a wide angle. When the angle of view approaches 180 degrees it is called a fisheye. The distortion in wide angle lenses is caused as the image seems to bend straight lines the further they are away from the axis of the lens and is most severe in the corners of the frame.

This is an example of an image taken with my 16mm Fisheye. Note the distortion.

Kenny Logins

A flat lens simply wouldn't work. The lens serves to shrink the scene down into a photo, and so a curved lens is needed. This means the closer you are to the subject, the more of an effect this will have on the image.

Works with your eyes too, but your brain tends to correct it for you.