Al was mentioning how having shot for a few years now, it would be logical that we've improved a little through time.
It got me thinking though, cause not so long ago I had at one point started to think that I've gotten worse with photography. And no this isn't a Prime vs Zoom comparison, or a blame game as to how it has affected my photography habits, but I did notice that since I got my prime, I have been subconsciously applying the same framing of my shots over and over again...especially with food and people photography.
I'm not a good photographer per say, I don't dig deep into the technical aspects, but I do like to capture moments, and a quick glance at my facebook photos gave me a rough idea on how I use my lenses.
Photographing Food
I managed to go through a few of my food shots, as well as pick some that were similar items as comparison. With the zoom, I found myself getting close a lot with my food, concentrating on the ingredients more than the overall presentation. Some times, but rarely, I'll zoom full out to capture a table shot.
While of course the prime has a better picture, I find myself taking either a full bowl shot, or at one or two occasions, a slight tilt as seen in my prawn noodles.
Food Photography with Zoom Lens
Food Photography with 30mm Prime
Capturing People
Shooting people on the other hand has merits on both ends. I love the prime for non-action shots. Subjects are sharp, and the bokeh is amazing.
I do notice though when it comes to action shots, I hardly pick up my prime at all, it's so tough when there are a lot of subjects and you want to just capture 1 or 2 out of the many. The zoom isn't bad for non-action shots too, it comes in handy for times I am a distance away and want to capture that candid moment. Of course, group shots are easier with a zoom.
You can get candid with a prime lens, but you're less likely to apply to to taking candids of strangers, at least for me.
People Photography with Zoom
I realised I don't have much photos of primes as examples cause after awhile they all look about the same, same framing, same style etc. In this sense, I think the zoom has allowed me to play a lot with composition, and on the other hand, the prime, while not as versatile, has given me great portrait shots.
Capturing Everything Else
When it came to misc shots, I think I took more using the zoom than the prime, maybe its cause with a zoom, I just zoom in or out, quickly frame my shot and get it over and done with. With a prime though, I think of whether I need to move forward or back, and then realise its too much effort to just execute that one shot and shrug it off.
Or like for moving objects, with a zoom, I can start from far, and work my way up close constantly taking a shot, for my prime, once it passes the frame mark, I either take, or miss the shot altogether.
That's not to say the prime hasn't done a good job either, just check the images below.
Everything Else with Zoom
Everything Else with 30mm Prime
Looking through the photos above, I still do appreciate having a zoom lens. I agree it's a pain to carry around, but so far I have been quite satisfied with the photos I've taken.
I think to conclude, I have no regrets with my prime, it's a great lens and I've enjoyed using it time and time again. It may not give me the range like a zoom lens, but the shots I do take with it, I love them. I also do not regret having a zoom, looking at the moments I've captured with it, especially the action, candid, and misc shots, I think there's still a place for it in my arsenal.
I do, however, need to get back into the habit of composing my food shots and kick the habit of a "full-dish" presentation.
4 comments:
there is definitely a big difference between your zoom & prime. with your prime, you are doing more like point & shoot but when you equip your zoom, you seem to be more adventurous with composition.
why not try to take some street photography this week with your prime and break free of that limiting factor? Or maybe you need new toys for motivation =P
I looked back and I realised in the past 2 months I've still picked up the zoom 3 times, for Legoland, Aquarium @ Sentosa, and Banana Relay, quite hard to justify dropping that option at this point.
I think I can replicate some stuff with the prime for sure, but not likely the action shots which has traditionally been executed using zoom lenses.
Maybe I'll give it a try when I'm in KL ah!
I'm not suggesting you to give up your zoom! Just sayings you should bringing your creativeness in your zoom images into your prime images. It is already there in you but somehow the prime tends to induce some laziness that's all.
Ah I see what you mean. Yes the Prime is certainly under utilised where creativity is concern.
Need to start googling prime lens images and get some inspiration!
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