The Best Focal Length for Learning Photography...

There's lots to learn when you're a beginner photographer, and near the top of that list is how to choose a focal length. This video is all about my favourite focal length, particularly when you're in the early stages of learning how to take good photos.

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[iankellam]

Saturday morning is coffee and listening to James prattle on contradicting himself and being inconclusive but in an entertaining way. Keep it up mate and stay safe.

[naturshoot]

Personally I don't think you should worry about any specific focal length when starting. Controversially I'm going to say you should get something like an 18-300 zoom and just start taking pictures to find what you like taking photos of. You might think you want to shoot landscapes, but find you instead enjoy wildlife for example. If you start with a 35mm or 50mm lens then you will never ever take a wildlife shot as you'll never be close enough...

After you've figured out how ISO, aperture and shutter speeds work (possibly the most important bit) you'll have a collection of images, granted not great ones, but with the wonder of digital, you'll also have metadata that tells you what focal length you shot at... You'll also have a better idea of what type of photography floats your boat and with a wide range of focal lengths, you won't have been limited in what you can shoot... you then probably know what lens to buy next to suit the type of pictures you enjoy taking most ... Also to start with, don't be afraid of cropping, it all helps you narrow down what you like, it also helps you learn about composition as you can tell what works and what doesn't retrospectively. Just my few pence :)

Enjoy the videos and the complete randomness :)

[jeffpratley]

This vid demonstrates more than most how catching a break is what matters most in outdoor photography. No need to apologise for grabbing the rainbow shot (which is pretty spectacular) without setting up the video capture. If there’s a lesson in that, and I think there is, it’s to just go for it when it’s in front of you.

Cracking video again, James - thanks!

[MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I have been watching this channel for 4 years and it has remained my favourite YouTube channel in all that time.Thanks for the great content, James.

[lew]

James, I enjoy your sort of offhand presentation technique. It can be a bit distracting at times, when you interrupt yourself with unrelated comments, yet it is oddly entertaining. The following comment is not related to you specifically, However, as you mentioned in your video a concern about the trees near the water that you said were quote "distracting" and therefore diminished the scene as a quality photo. I frequently hear this concern from photographers about distractions in outdoor/nature photography and it bothers me. In my opinion, for what it is worth, I believe that it is the wildness of nature, its apparent disorderliness, that attracts us to it. It's so different from what we experience in our everyday lives. I think that these so- called distractions add interest and appeal to nature photographs, rather than distractions. So what if the reflection includes a few trees on the shoreline. Those few trees represent the reality of the scene and add authenticity to the photograph; make it appear less sterile. Just my opinion and perhaps worth a discussion. Thanks James and enjoy your son!
Lew in the US, wishing that I could visit your beautiful country!

[soundscape]

That yellow jacket definitely stands out.

Another good one... your informative yet casual style makes for a very chilled watching experience.

[wendynewing]

If you had made the video first you would never have got that beautiful rainbow shot, you definitely made the right decision. The other images were lovely too. All in all a great video. Many thanks.

[mikezenzola]

I'm still a beginner photographer and ever since I got myself a 35mm prime F/1.4, I've seen my shots get SO much better! Thanks for confirming what I was feeling James, another great video!

[spidersj]

Good morning James, never apologize for opportunistically capturing a potentially great shot. Obviously you always *plan* to only do this or that, talk about this or that, but seize the moment mate! We all understand you taking the necessary steps to get the shot.

[stuartsrollingshutter]

I grew up with a 40mm lens on my 90s point and shoot and it's still my focal length of choice, as it feels the most natural to my eye. So yes, I agree, anything from 35mm to 50mm seems like the best place for people to start.

[huaij]

I started with a 35mm and a 70-300mm equivalent - ran with it for 5 years with the 35mm as my main lens. It taught me so much about composition!

[JohannesRedwood]

I got fed up with the kit zoom on the a6300 because I didn’t know where I wanted to be in terms of focal length, bit the bullet and bought a Zeiss Touit 32mm and love it, forces me to think more! And a great lens to re-learn on

[Colaman]

I always find myself chuckling a bit when you describe how you don't want to be reminded that you're looking at a photo, since the composites you used to do really fit that description well.

[dillank]

I have never owned a 35mm lens, but lately I have been pondering the possibility intently. This video is more fuel for the fire.

[EmoEmu]

For me it was getting a full frame 5Dmk2 with a 50/1.4 that helped me most. More so the lens than going FF, but the combo really took my enjoyment of the hobby to another level. I suspect that most people will go for a 24-70, but Ireally enjoyed getting that first prime and it became my go-to lens over the 24-105L I also had. I think I would have had roughly the same experience if it had been a 35/1.4, but all these years later 50 is still the focal length I think of most fondly. I'm not much of a landscape photographer either, but I do have a 16-35 that I love as well.

[cheapcharliechronicles]

For being a classic focal length I've always thought 35mm is a bit awkward. If you want to shoot wide you are more likely to reach for a 24mm or an ultra wide zoom. If you want tight you would go with a 50 or 85mm. Where does the 35mm fit in? In a sense, it doesn't... it's an in between focal length, which is both it's strength and weakness. It's a focal length you have to marry, where you just put one 35mm lens on your camera and never change the lens (or at least only take that lens out with you on your shoots and no others). Another great thing about 35 mm primes is they often have very fast apertures. So you can get both shallow and deep depth of field and shoot in low light, further adding to it's versatility.

[salvatoreshiggerino]

I really like wide and long shots precisely because they don't look like what the eye sees. They're photographs and proud of it. That said, I really appreciate your 35mm and 50mm videos. These are affordable, light and compact lenses that you can always have with you, so it pays off to learn to use them.

[goldenmike]

Great interaction with "us".. you are funny, original and informative just being yourself 👏

[JK-ehjp]

A very enjoyable session.
I must say the audio quality is just superb. Your head is turning around here and there as you address the scenery, yet the sound of your voice never diminishes.
Nice presentation. I just subscribed.

[alanguile]

One thing I love about this channel is whenever I hear a contradiction or an questionable statement James clarifies or answers it himself before I start being a keyboard warrior, such charm 😆