Why You Should Own A Prime Lens

What is a prime lens?  A prime lens, according to Wikipedia, "is either a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens, or it is the primary lens in combination lens system".  In essence, a prime lens has no zooming capabilities it is only able to be focused.  Prime lenses are great for many different applications.  They can be used for portraiture, macro photography, sporting events, etc.  Prime lenses range from around the 10 mm area to well above 200 mm.  So you will be able to find a prime lens to suit your needs.

So now you are asking "Why should I own one?".  Well if you are really into photography there are many reasons to own a prime lens but here are five reasons to get you started.  1. They are fun.  2. They are nostalgic,  all of the original cameras came with nothing but prime lenses.  3. They have razor sharp focus.  4. They usually have large apertures somewhere around ƒ/1.4 or larger.  So now you can take great pictures in low light without using a flash.  5. They are relatively inexpensive starting at around $150.00.  So go out and get one of these great prime lenses and get to shooting.

How To Help Keep Your DSLR's Sensor Free From Dust

1. When changing your lens try to do so with the camera pointed down or away from the wind.
2. When using a zoom lens try to zoom in and out slowly to help reduce the risk of the lens causing suction and pulling dust into the camera body through the lens.
3. When shooting in dusty or windy conditions, such as the beach, try wrapping the camera body in a plastic bag to help keep out dust and sand.
4. If you must change a lens out in the field, while shooting outdoor photography, try to do so in a somewhat sheltered place such as a bus stop, a building, or in your car.
5. Be sure to turn your camera off before changing lenses, this helps reduce the risk of dust particles being electrically attracted and sticking to the sensor.
6. Try to be prepared, when changing your lens try to have your lens "ready to go" to avoid extended periods of time with nothing protecting the camera body.
7. The best way to keep your sensor clean is to just pick a lens and stick with it but if you can't these tips will help you keep your sensor clean.

HDR Photography

High Dynamic Range photography, herein referred to as HDR, is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of luminances between light and dark areas of a scene than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention of HDR is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows.  Basically, HDR photography is a set of multiple images "layered" together using a computer program to show the full range of light and dark areas in the photo.

What you need to produce an HDRI or High Dynamic Range Image is a  digital camera with AEB aka Auto Exposure Bracketing (on a Nikon it is referred to as just "Bracketing") or the ability to shoot RAW format and a RAW editor such as Aperture, Adobe® Photoshop, or RAWShooter.  Also needed is an HDR Program such as Photomatix or Adobe® Bridge.  The difference between the these two programs is the fact that Photomatix is a "stand alone" program specifically created for the purpose of creating HDR photographs.  Adobe® Bridge, on the other hand, has many options.  One of those options includes merging multiple images to create an HDR photograph in Adobe® Photoshop the image must then be shrunk from 32 bit to 8 bit for editing.  None of the programs I have found have been exceptionally easy to use or very straight forward. However, if you are computer savvy or if you do not mind reading the "how to" that comes with the different programs it is not too awfully hard to figure out how to create beautiful HDR photographs. 

Okay, here is the simplest explanation of how to create a HDRI.  First, take one RAW picture or take, at least, three "bracketed" pictures (bracketing should be set up to be separated by at least one full stop).  If you choose the one RAW image you will need to create two more versions of the picture using Aperture or Photoshop.  One of the versions needs to be underexposed and one needs to be overexposed.  If you choose to go the way of bracketing you will also need and overexposed, an underexposed, and a properly exposed photo.  What is great about using the bracketed photos is the ability to load the bracketed images straight into the HDR creation software.  Once the pictures have been loaded into the creation software, let the software render the image and you now have a beautiful HDR photograph.

For more information there are many websites that come up doing a Google search for HDR photography, but here is a link to a page with tons of great information and samples of beautiful HDR photographs www.vanilladays.com.

The First Post and A Bit About The Blog

A bit about me... the author.  I have been a photographer for years and have used film SLR's as well as Digital SLR cameras.  I have almost completely switched over to digital except for landscapes.  I still believe that nothing, as of yet, can reproduce a landscape better than an medium format film camera.  Not too long ago I decided to become a full time freelance photographer.  I own my own business in South Carolina and also have my own website, where some of my pictures may be ordered.  

I am a dedicated Nikon man but have nothing against anyone who uses Canon or any of the other fine brands of cameras that are on the market.  I also know that even though Nikon may not be on the cutting edge of technology they are not very far behind.  The cameras that Nikon builds are also much more durable than other brands and seem to stand up to the punishment I dole out on them.  All that to say, I have nothing against other brands of cameras but my posts may be biased toward Nikon.  

This blog is open to responses to my posts but please do not use your posts to argue or be degrading about anything because that is not what this blog is about.  This blog is however about camera tips, tricks, and shooting styles.  If you feel like any post I have posted is not correct or if you have differing views please feel free to post, but just remember to keep your posts clean or they will be deleted.  Also, if you have any questions please feel free to ask them and I will do my best to answer.  Just remember that nobody knows every thing about photography so if I don't know the answer I will do my best to find the answer.

So lets get started having fun and shooting pictures together,

Jacob