One Lens Challenge

I challenged myself in trusting my Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art Lens

attached to my also trusting Nikon D850

on a walk around race horse stables while away on a recent photography trip.

As photographers, we often bring more gear than we need (because we have it). Unfortunately, we end up ignoring the great stuff that’s right in front of us because we’re thinking about how to use all of our gear. Limiting our gear should allow us to focus on the natural existing light, how to shape that light, how to choose better angles, and how to compose everything.

Set Yourself a Challenge to Shoot from One Focal Length this Week

Here’s my challenge to you. Over the next week decide to shoot using one focal length only and see what impact it has on your photography.

For those of you with DSLRS with a prime lens – this shouldn’t be too hard. You’ve got a lens that won’t let you zoom so stick with it for a while week.

For those of you who only have zoom lenses – it might be better to choose a focal length at one end of the spectrum of your zoom (either wide or zoomed in).

Where possible choose a focal length that isn’t in your normal range of shooting. If you zoom in a lot – try a wider perspective. If you usually shoot wide – try a longer focal length.

Spending a week with a single lens gives you a highly immersive experience. You understand the lens.

Everything it can and can’t do becomes clear, and you learn to recognize which opportunities will suit its “look” best.

Limiting yourself to a single lens can focus your vision. You start to see everything in just that focal length and compositional possibilities that could have gone unnoticed suddenly reveal themselves. It’s especially powerful with a prime lens,

but a lot of street photographers routinely shoot with just a 24-70 for the same reasons.