Pro Photo Tips by Dave Ward
The Standard View
By Dave Ward of Pictureline
In photography terms, the 50mm lens is considered a standard lens. That’s because it creates a perspective similar to the way we see the world. In other words, the lens makes the foreground, middle ground, and background look close to how the human eye sees the world.
Learning to use your current equipment takes practice. Just like a professional basketball player repeatedly practices free throws, photographers should continually refine their craft. When we try something new, or when we focus on one skill, it can be a struggle. It's okay to struggle. With time and practice we'll begin to see the progress.
The 50mm lens is not usually the first lens we pick-up for landscape or wildlife photography. Often times our go-to lenses are a wide angle zoom or we skip over to a telephoto lens. For some, the 50mm lens may seem uninteresting or challenging because it captures the world as we see it, making images appear ordinary or mundane. Someone once told me that if I could create compelling images with a 50mm lens, I’d be a true photographer. I’ve taken that as a personal challenge.
Here's your homework: Use a fixed 50mm lens or a midrange zoom lens at 50mm. Challenge yourself to find compelling compositions using only that focal length.
Pro tip 1: If you have a fixed lens, they often have a fast aperture like f/1.8 or f/1.4. Look for landscape compositions that suit a wide-open aperture. This allows you to isolate subjects or create landscape portraits with a shallow depth of field.
Pro tip 2: Look for compositions that have a human perspective. I'll use a trail or road to create leading lines throughout the frame. Sometimes I'll try to keep my camera at eye level and still try to find that good photo. Remember, this is meant to challenge you to see differently and still make great images.
Now, head out and create some of your own 50mm shots. Oh, be sure to pull me aside at the Horizons Conference and show me what you've come up with.
