Zoom Different

Since getting my Nikon D70 I have almost exclusively used a mere two lenses: a 28mm and a 50mm, despite also owning the excellent 18–70mm; the reason for this I have attempted to explain in my Of Limited Use article. When I got my Pentax DS I continued the trend, even though the Pentax-A 28mm is manual focus and not really that good. It is however much smaller than the 18–55mm kit zoom, thus more convenient.

Having become used to shooting primes, therefore, when I do occasionally use a zoom I find myself doing so like it's a prime. Allow me to explain. With primes, since only one focal length is available one tends to begin thinking and seeing in its terms, sort of like the saying that when your only tool is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a nail. I prefer things this way. It's simpler, I like the challenges it presents and the satisfaction gained in overcoming them. Having never been ‘limited’ to just one or two focal lengths, most people work in a different way with their zooms, by adjusting the focal length to frame their image while largely ignoring the effects of perspective; objects' near-far relationships are often an afterthought, if that.

The use of primes, though, almost forces one to consider perspective as an integral part of the composition and it is because of this that a different way of using a zoom lens arises. It is seen more as a many-primes-in-one, focal lengths are selected specifically for the resulting perspective effect and the actual framing is done just as with a prime: by moving around on foot. Of course, not all framing is done like this: occasionally it's not possible to get into a position such that the desired framing is achieved, so one gives in to the allure of ‘zoom-to-frame’. I actively try to avoid this approach, however, as it seems to me all too easy to become lazy and use it in place of ‘proper’ composition.

I don't mean to imply that using the zoom ring to frame an image is bad per se, merely that I personally feel it is not the best way to develop my photographic skills. By taking perspective into account, I am using a powerful compositional tool full of creative opportunities to explore.

For further interesting reading, there's an interesting article and following discussing on this subject at The Online Photographer.

2006_09_16