Getting the Right Gear—Lenses

For a photographer, gear can be like tools for a mechanic or tradesman. There's almost no end to what you can buy, and certainly no end to the need for upgrades, replacements, etc. It can cost thousands upon thousands to get into the high-end equipment.

The question you have to really ask is, "what am I shooting?" and then determine from there what you actually need. In this quick 10,000 foot view, I'm just going to address lenses and in particular the lenses I use, need, and want.

If you're doing documentary photojournalism for example, you may want three basic categories of lenses. A fast wide, a fast prime, and a fast Telephoto. What those exact specs are, may differ for you. I personally prefer VR or IS type lenses. For a few years I have been shooting primarily with a 24-80mm whenever possible.

Recently I've begun to use a wide angle lens to add more drama in limited instances, and I've found my 55-300mm VR to be a great lens for portraiture. It allows me to be close and get great detail without imposing myself on the subjects. This is allowing me the ability to get more natural candids because the subject isn't always aware that they are being photographed.

Even in the studio the 55-300mm has been really great for doing model shoots and portraits when combined with a strobe (my 55-300mm is still a very slow lens at 4.5). With a faster f2.8 or greater F-stop a telephoto lens could be an amazing field lens if it doesn't get too weighty.

Moving forward, the speed of the lens needs to be considered more heavily. I've done some shooting with a 30mm @ f1.4 and that has been wonderful, when I'm able to get the focus right (it's hard for me to see through the viewfinder and autofocus hasn't been my friend). But the speed of a 1.8 or a 1.4 has been instrumental on more than a few occasions of getting light in low-light situations where a flash and tripod are not an option.

Off camera remote flash can also be used if you have the time for the set up or if you are able, a battery pack strobe can be toted along.

Of course, with all of this, there is also the need to consider the DOF along with the light.

My Recommendations
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Zoom Lens
AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Autofocus Lens

The Light

My fine art photography teacher used to say that photography was all about the light. Without it, you can't take a photograph-at least not a good one.

Ray Spicer was his name and he was responsible for shaping my viewpoint on photography, specifically black and white photography. He always said that without beautiful light you cannot have a beautiful photo.

Over the course of the past 20 years I've learned that his statement is only partially true. It is all about the light, but beautiful light is only somewhat relevant and depends more on the mood you are trying to establish within a photograph. Sometimes a less beautiful light can be used to create a more dramatic or gloomy mood.

Normally, I would recommend that the mood of your subject also match the mood of your light but that's not always necessary if you are trying to show a juxtaposition.

The light quality, type, warmth, coolness, brightness, flatness, etc., will absolutely play a part in the mood of your photo. Don't be afraid to try using other types of light, bounce light, fill light, flash lighting or available light to set the mood.