The Nifty 50
Definitely one of the coolest parts of this gig is talking to people about not only the images we’re about to work on for them, but also about the images they may want to make on their own. DLSR camera’s have made it easy and affordable to make better images. The feedback, either instantly from the back of the camera, or shortly thereafter on a computer screen, give you a chance to make adjustments and corrections, reshoot and see first hand the results of those changes, usually immediately. At least for me, this is a GREAT way to learn. It’s linear and just makes sense.
The question I get asked most often is probably ‘what does it take to be a professional photographer?‘ The quick answer, a business degree! I get the feeling most people don’t want to hear that, but it’s all but true. That said, it doesn’t take a degree of any sort to make better pictures; just the desire to do so. If the image is pleasing to you, you’re good to go. Everyone has opinions, preferences, likes and dislikes, all of which can help you see things from different points of view. In the end however, being comfortable with yourself and what you’re doing with a camera is all that really matters.
When I get into a conversation about gear, particularly with someone new to photography, I bring up the lens in the image here; the 50mm f/1.8. Both Nikon and Cannon make it, as I’m sure many other camera and lens manufacturers do as well. In the ‘bang for your buck’ category, this lens stands alone, BIG TIME. Nikon’s runs about $120, Cannon’s is about $10 cheaper. When lenses regularly go for $1500.00+, the 50mm f/1.8 feels nearly free! It’s durable (the one in the image here is from my dads old film Nikon…its been beaten, dropped, tossed, shipped and forgotten about by various members of my family for 20+ years, and still takes a razor sharp image.). It’s feather light, awesome in low-light situations and IT DOESN’T ZOOM! I’m not going to get into the ‘prime vs. zoom’ argument here, that’s for someone else’s blog…but the fact that this lens is fixed at 50mm is WHY I like it so much.
This lens (and all other primes) remove the ability to zoom in or out at the the lens in your attempts to make a better image. Often, and I’m hella guilty of this myself, you’ll snap an image that looks NOTHING like what you were going for. With a zoom lens on, who hasn’t just zoomed in or out and reshot the same image? There are definitely times when that really might be all the fix you need, but I’m willing to bet in most situations you’re just closer to or further away from the same cruddy picture. The 50mm doesn’t give you that option. The only thing you can do is change YOUR position relative to your subject. Once you start moving all sorts of new possibilities open up. It forces you to open your minds eye to different approaches to your shot. Move left, move right, get on a ladder, hug the ground; different scenarios for making something awesome start to materialize quick.
I can go on all day about this rad little workhorse. Mine’s seen greener pastures, but still does what I ask of it. I use it almost every day and wouldn’t think of putting a gear bag together without this lens. If you’re looking around for something that will invigorate and inspire your shooting, give this little guy a try…
Rock On!
More blogs on the way:
- 1 on 1 and Small Group Photography Classes
- More Recent Shoots
Stay tuned…