le boecere

Acknowledging that there are relatively few "Street Photographers" on this site, I still think this short article has much merit for us "rookies". I'm posting it in the "Main Photography" section, in hopes that it'll get more exposure (fully aware that it might get moved to Links, or one of the "Street" categories).

le boecere

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The point I would disagree with is doing portraits with a normal lens (I've never heard them called "standard" lenses) and then showing a tight head shot. For me, a normal lens is just too short for very close portraits.

kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

Let me add my few cents worth.....for those who might be considering adding a 50mm lens to their 'arsenal'. My suggestion....if you are a Nikon shooter, especially (I don't know if other makers have anything similar..!)...is to think about the purchase of the Nikkor 60mm "macro" lens in place of the usual option of the 50mm.... My reasoning....bear with me...the 60mm Macro lens is one of the VERY sharpest lenses made...AND....because you can continuously focus VERY close to your subject, this means that your focus range is from a few inches to infinity...with the added bonus of true Macro ability. Think how many times you have wanted/needed to get a real close up of some subject, but don't want to change lenses or add a close up filter. The fact that it is slightly 'longer' than the "nifty-fifty" means that you have a very slight amount of 'tele' from this lens as well. It's an f2.8, so not quite as fast as the f1.8 or f1.4, but with today's super sensitive sensors, that is rarely a limitation at all.

Did I mention that this lens is SHARP...!!!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Does anyone still use the term standard or normal lens, it's so subjective and vague, kind of like saying my car came with the standard transmission. Some people would read that as manual shift but the standard transmission in many, many cars today is an automatic. Manual transmissions may be optional on some vehicles and not even available on some. So, back to my babbling point, is there really a standard lens or is that just a different way of saying a 35, 50, 52 or 55 mm prime lens.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

What lens are you referring to? Nikon makes a 58mm 1.4 G; but it is not Macro.

kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

Thanks for that correction...I'm afraid I was stuck in the past, when they (and I...) did have a 55mm macro.... The current lens is a 60mm....close but no cigar, I guess?? I just updated my posting... Where was my mind.....!!! Obviously the 60mm lens is MUCH sharper than my memory....

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

le boecere

So very much appreciate your contribution, here, John. Even though I'm new to digital gear, and a "rookie"; I quickly acquired a 50mm f/1.8 (75mm equiv) for my Sony a6000 "street camera" ~ especially useful at gatherings (events), too. _Van

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

a 50mm on a crop sensor camera - 75mm equivalent - would be fine for head shots.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

There's actually a lot of us. I find the 24-70 is the best Street shooter. My preference is the Tamron 24-70 G2

sxrich

I guess I would think of myself as street photographer because I like it, have done quite a bit but shoot weddings and events also. However, I like the streets. So, I read the article on using a standard lens ie maybe a 50 1.8 on a full frame and maybe a 35 1.8 on a crop sensor or whatever else someone might choose. Other than having the low light advantage of the faster glass which I have benefited from while shooting the streets at night, I prefer a zoom. Typically one that is pretty fast ie 2.8 (I use a 17-55 2.8 on a crop but prefer my 24-70 2.8 on the full frame). If I'm shooting during the day where low light isn't as critical, I've shot with various kit lenses like an 18-105 or 18-140 on crops. It really doesn't matter but better glass does make a difference IMHO . And, the ability to capture a "moment" quickly, with a zoom, without having to move my feet, thereby losing the shot, was critical to me. Am I losing that supposed extra bit of sharpness from a prime, maybe, but nobody would ever notice, EVER! LOL. If I need a close up, I'll zoom and crop later. And, wide angle to 70 mm gives me a pretty good range. And, I can still crop if I have to. Just my opinion. So, everybody has an opinion, like me. Whatever you choose, just get good with it and learn its capabilities inside and out. Then, make sure you learn about composition so your shots have some impact. I remember a street photographer that I studied by the name of John Free. He was known for shooting hobo's who road trains years ago . He will teach something called the "rule of threes" which is basically having to have 3 critical components within an image or your shot will be lacking. Almost similar to "rule of odds" but not quite. It's a very difficult thing to achieve but interesting to learn about. It's free on youtube. Good luck!

sxrich

Here's the link that will refer to the "rule of 3's". So, forgetting about lens selection - this information, to me, is every bit as important, if not more, which is composition - anybody can buy a camera and lens and take pics. Boring pics are a dime a dozen (I've taken many of them LOL). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhViR3Iu2QE

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

For street portraiture, I would agree with you. However, it is my opinion that street photography benefits greatly from a sense of environment. Ergo, I believe something wider is preferable. However, I am less inclined to limit my choice of lenses by genre. For example: one can shoot landscapes with medium telephotos and closeups with an extreme wide angle.

le boecere

LR, your statement: "However, it is my opinion that street photography benefits greatly from a sense of environment."

Thanks for making this point.

Very early on, as I began to get a feel for "street photography", I discovered this to be true for me, as well. I find myself looking for "sense of environment" compositions, more often than "street portraits".

I also learned that there are "streets" and then there are "streets", even in the same village, town, or city. That became even more evident, as I began taking pictures in other towns and countrysides (West of the Mississippi) ~ hence, my justification for a 24mm (35mm equiv), a 35mm ("nifty fifty"), and the 50mm (75mm equiv), for my APS-C "street camera".

If I come upon an environment that demands an 18mm (24mm equivalent), I have two other cameras/lenses, available.