Tools Of The Trade: The Magic Of Prime Lenses
I figured it was time for me to talk a little about the tools and materials I use in my photography. Now, most photographers will tell you that it’s not about the gear - which is true to a certain extent. You definitely don’t need the latest and greatest equipment to make amazing images, it’s a fact! Actually, you’re bound to become quite skilled if you learn the ins and outs of the contents of your camera bag as it currently stands rather than jump to buy newer versions the second they’re released. The idea behind constantly upgrading the tools you’ve grown accustomed to seems counter intuitive in a lot of ways. After all, how can you truly focus on capturing the magic of your subject if you’re always in the process of learning how to use your shiny new gadgets. It makes sense, right? Anyway, this is the first of this type of journal entry where I will give you my take on the equipment I use, why I do things a certain way or maybe even the occasional review. As usual, anything I write is meant only as my personal opinion and in no way is intended to exclude anyone else’s thoughts on the subject. To start this off I want to talk about why I really enjoy prime lenses and what they bring to my work.
Prime lenses, if you’re unaware, are simply lenses with a fixed focal length (35 mm, 85 mm, etc.). This means that the only way to “Zoom” with a prime lens is to walk around using your legs. This can make things a bit difficult in certain situations since you don’t always have the luxury of getting physically closer or further from your subject but, with some planning, these lenses can work just fine. One of the reasons I really love using primes is because they typically allow you to photograph at a much shallower depth of field than zoom lenses. This gives you the ability to create '“Bokeh” which is a fancy term for haze or, simply, areas that are out of focus. By using this I am able to create a nice sense of separation between my subject and the environment they’re in. This can also help if there are elements that may be distracting to the overall image such as a groom getting ready in a hotel room that looks like a hurricane just passed through, haha (side note, please try to keep things tidy so your photographer is not limited to which angles they can use).
Another reason why I love primes is that they force you to work with what you have. In today’s world, we are surrounded by choice wherever we look. There are always so many options at our disposal that it can actually hinder our ability to express what we’re trying to express. With a prime lens on your camera you need to force yourself to think outside the box sometimes. This helps us learn to be more creative and dial in our settings with intention. Of course, it takes practice to become confident with this way of working but I believe the outcome is well worth the effort.
To end, I will say that while I love using primes I also use zoom lenses. I find that there are situations where having a quality zoom lens offers the versatility I need for that given moment. It always comes down to how we work and what we’re looking to create. In the right hands, a disposable camera can produce a photograph more meaningful than one taken with the latest megapixel monster on the market just as a master draftsman can make his vision come alive with simple pencil and paper. We are the most important factor in the work we do so find what works for you and make something great!
