Friday Photography Tips #13 - Embrace Limitations
When we buy a camera they usually come bundled with a zoom lens, typically 18-55mm that lets you get wide or narrow field of view to suit your subject. Some of these lenses are good quality, the majority I would say are unfortunately not. Referred to as 'kit' lenses these are mass produced and cheaply constructed so that they do not impact the price of the camera too much. While a lens is essential and it's great to have such a range of views, the quality of that lens is generally more important than the camera it's attached to.
But beyond the sharpness and rendering of a lens, my biggest frustration with a kit lens is that it often slows the learning process. When you can zoom in to take a photograph there's every chance you'll just take it from where you're stood/sat without any consideration of how that will effect your image. The consequences can be significant and because of the variables involved it will be harder to recognise what makes you like or dislike the photographs you have made.
Over the next few tips I'm going to explore focal length in more detail, but for today let me start by suggesting you learn by creating limitations for yourself. All of the images in today's post are taken at 35mm f5.6.
1. Limit Your Focal Length
If you have a zoom lens pick a number along the range and stick to it. Remember the lower the number you choose the wider your perspective will be (note that objects close to you will appear large and those further away will significantly reduce in size). If you take photographs regularly give yourself a day or even a week to really get used to the focal length.
If you have a fixed focal length lens (also referred to as a Prime lens) that cannot be zoomed then stick to it while you try photographing different subjects. Using a lens with a focal length between 35mm and 50mm is a good start as it will be close to the natural angle of view we see with our eyes.
2. Zoom With Your Feet
Sticking to a single focal length means it's even more important to avoid taking a photograph where you stand and move around to create a composition that works. If you've opted for a longer focal length then you might find yourself needing to step back a lot to capture more of a scene, with a wider focal length you'll likely spend a lot of time moving closer.
What you'll soon discover are features of different focal lengths such as the shallow depth of field at longer lengths or the distortion of closer subjects when using wider angles (take a look at tip #7 for more examples here). Reviewing the images you have created is the best way to improve your understanding and train your photographer's eye.
3. Reduce the Variables
Another way to focus on understanding focal length is to remove other variables that might change how an image looks. Where the amount of light permits, try to use a consistent aperture value (use aperture priority if you don't want to manually control exposure) such as f5.6 for all of your shots. This will mean the only thing affecting depth of field is the focal length you have chosen and the distance from your subject. The further you are from your subject, the greater the depth of field, so get close for more creative compositions.
The most simple form of practice with today's tip is to simply use your smartphone. It has a fixed lens (in some cases one wide and one telephoto lens) and with a rare exception smartphones have a fixed aperture.
Happy Friday,
Tom
