Photography

What lens would you recommend for a beginner photographer?

Best lens for beginner photographers: start with the kit lens!

Alright, the question is, what lens would you recommend for a beginner photographer? Well what I would say most of the time is the kit lens that comes with your camera, sort of a mid-range zoom, is probably going to be your best friend for learning your camera. Just because it's inexpensive and it's going to have a range of focal lengths. You don't want to get too much or too crazy. Those all-in-one zooms that go to everything might not be as good as something like a 24-70mm, I'm talking about in 35mm format range, or a modest kit lens. And what you can find from that is after you take a lot of pictures and start getting more into photography, you can start looking at your photos and seeing what focal lengths you gravitate to. Do you like the telephoto end? Do you like the middle? Do you like portraits? Or do you like really wide shots? And I think that's going to then allow you to decide where you might want to go next if you're going to purchase a more specialized higher-end lens. Say like for portraits, maybe you want to get a 50mm or an 85mm prime. Those are the kinds of things that I would look at. And then also just consider, you know, how do you want to use your camera? Should it be small and light? Or are you willing to go with something heavier? It all just depends on your needs.

As a beginner photographer, it is recommended to start with a mid-range zoom kit lens as it is inexpensive and has a range of focal lengths. After taking pictures, you can decide which focal lengths you prefer and upgrade to higher-end lenses such as 50mm or 85mm primes for portraits. It also depends on how you want to use your camera; whether you want it to be small and light or are willing to go with something heavier.

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For a beginner photographer, I would recommend starting with the kit lens that comes with your camera. This mid-range zoom lens is usually inexpensive and offers a range of focal lengths. It's important not to go too extreme or complicated with all-in-one zoom lenses. Instead, consider something like a 24-70mm lens in 35mm format or a modest kit lens. As you take more photos and explore photography further, pay attention to the focal lengths you prefer. Do you gravitate towards telephoto shots, middle ranges, portraits, or wide shots? This will help guide your decision when looking to purchase a more specialized and higher-end lens in the future. For example, if you enjoy portraits, you might consider a 50mm or 85mm prime lens. Additionally, think about how you want to use your camera. Do you prefer something small and lightweight or are you willing to work with a heavier setup? Ultimately, the choice of lens depends on your individual needs and preferences as a beginner photographer.

Photographer discusses the endless possibilities of camera brands

And back, and this time the question is, what's your favorite camera brand? Well, isn't this just kind of like a Ford versus Chevy kind of question? I've been shooting with the Nikon system since about 1987, since I was in high school, actually. And that's currently what I do use. However, I've also shot with the Fuji system, and I've messed around a little bit with other cameras along the way. Right now, we as photographers have so many good choices because all the brands are offering excellent cameras. And I think it really comes down to the feature sets that you want and the size or the form factors of the cameras. So while I'm a Nikon shooter, I've certainly appreciated the smaller format cameras too. And one of those right now is, for example, the Olympus system with their micro four thirds. For someone who's into travel photography and wildlife photography, there's some real advantages to being able to carry smaller, lighter lenses and get extra reach with them. So while I'm a Nikon shooter, I do appreciate all of the technology that's going into the cameras these days, especially with things like subject detection and auto eye detection in their autofocus. So we live in good times to be a photographer no matter what brand you shoot.

I'm an Nikon shooter, but I appreciate all the technology going into cameras these days from all brands. I especially like the Olympus micro four thirds for travel and wildlife photography because of the lightweight lenses and extra reach.

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My favorite camera brand is Nikon. I've been using their system since 1987, when I was in high school. However, I've also had experience with the Fuji system and have explored other cameras throughout the years. Nowadays, photographers have numerous excellent choices as all brands offer great cameras. The decision often comes down to the specific features and size or form factor that one prefers. While I stick with Nikon, I recognize the value of smaller format cameras like the Olympus system with their micro four thirds. For travel and wildlife photography enthusiasts, these cameras offer advantages such as smaller and lighter lenses with extended reach. Despite my personal preference for Nikon, I appreciate the technology advancements present in cameras across all brands, particularly features like subject detection and auto eye detection in autofocus systems. We truly live in a fantastic era for photography, regardless of the brand one chooses to shoot with.

10-year Lightroom user reveals game-changing editing software

Hey, the question is, what editing software do you use? Well, this is easy for me. I've been using Adobe Lightroom, now called Lightroom Classic, since the end of 2013, so almost 10 years now. I find it's just the most flexible software for me because it includes both an image catalog where I can manage my over 100,000 images in my library, and some of the best professional editing tools that are out there right now. In my opinion, Adobe really upped the game in the last year and a half when they started adding AI-based selection masks. Masking is a technique that every photographer really ought to learn. What is really special about the current version of Lightroom is that I'm almost never going into Photoshop unless I have a very specific task at hand. So I can do probably 95% of all of my editing directly in Lightroom Classic on my desktop, and then I'll go to Photoshop if I need to, the occasional plug-in tool for creative effects. So that's mostly what I'm using right now.

I use Adobe Lightroom Classic to manage and edit my images. It has powerful editing tools and I rarely have to go into Photoshop for plug-ins.

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I use Adobe Lightroom, specifically Lightroom Classic, for my editing software. I've been using it since the end of 2013, so almost 10 years now. Lightroom offers both an image catalog for managing my extensive library of over 100,000 images and some of the best professional editing tools available. I believe Adobe has really stepped up their game in recent years, particularly with the addition of AI-based selection masks, which are incredibly useful for masking techniques. With the current version of Lightroom, I find that I rarely need to go into Photoshop unless there's a specific task that requires it. I can do about 95% of my editing directly in Lightroom Classic on my desktop. Occasionally, I may use Photoshop or plug-in tools for creative effects, but most of my editing is done in Lightroom.

Hi Jason! Tell people about your background, expertise, and how you can help.

Meet Jason Odell: Expert Photographer & Creative Visionary

Hey, my name's Jason Odell and I'm in Colorado Springs, Colorado where I'm a professional photographer. I've been asked to introduce myself here as I'm a new expert on any question. Well, I've been living in Colorado for 20 years after getting a PhD in biology and now I'm a full-time professional photographer, mostly leading travel and landscape and wildlife photo safaris and workshops. I teach online through my website and I really enjoy getting outside and photography is a way for me to really enjoy the world around me and capture new and exciting images. And I really enjoy bringing creative techniques to the field, things like long exposures and texture blending, infrared photography. I like all of these things. And so, hopefully I'll get more questions from you in the future. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

I'm Jason Odell and I'm a professional photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I've been living here for 20 years after getting my PhD in biology. I lead travel and landscape photo safaris and workshops and teach online through my website. I enjoy creative techniques like long exposures and texture blending to capture amazing images.

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Hey there! I'm Jason Odell, a professional photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With a background in biology and a PhD under my belt, I've been living in Colorado for two decades now. As a full-time photographer, my expertise lies in leading travel, landscape, and wildlife photo safaris and workshops. Through my website, I also offer online teaching to share my knowledge and passion with others. Photography allows me to immerse myself in the beauty of the world and capture unique and fascinating images. I particularly enjoy incorporating creative techniques like long exposures, texture blending, and infrared photography into my work. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have in the future. Thanks for your time!

What do you personally consider to be the best thing to photograph?

Discovering the Joy: Finding Your Best Photography Subject

The question I have here is what do you personally consider to be the best thing to photograph? Well, that's a very subjective question. I mean, I love photographing wildlife and that could sometimes that is the best thing to photograph because it means I'm getting outside and doing what I like to do. But honestly, I think this is a personal preference of what brings you joy. You have to decide when you're behind that camera what sort of subjects really make you feel satisfied inside as a creative person, as an artist. Is it portraits? Is it with studio lighting? Is it night photography? I've done all kinds of these things and they're all fun in their own special ways. But really it comes down to when I come back from a shoot and I'm really feeling energized because of the subject matter. It could have been because I just saw the most spectacular sunrise or sunset on a landscape trip or maybe I did some tremendous blue hour shooting in a city overseas with city lights. You just have to find the joy in whatever it is. And if you're not having fun when you're doing it, then it's the wrong subject for you.

The best thing to photograph is ultimately subjective and comes down to what brings you joy. Different subjects can be enjoyable in their own ways, such as wildlife, portraits, studio lighting, night photography, or landscapes. It's important to find the joy in whatever it is you're photographing to ensure that you're having fun with it.

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What I personally consider to be the best thing to photograph is quite subjective. I have a love for capturing wildlife as it allows me to be outdoors and pursue what I enjoy. However, the best subject to photograph varies based on personal preference and what brings joy. As a creative person and artist, it's essential to determine which subjects truly satisfy you when you're behind the camera. This could involve portraits with studio lighting, night photography, or various other genres. What matters most is returning from a shoot feeling energized by the subject matter. It could be an awe-inspiring sunrise or sunset during a landscape trip or capturing the captivating city lights during the blue hour in an overseas city. The key is finding joy in whatever subject you choose to photograph. If you're not having fun while doing it, then perhaps it's not the right subject for you.

What is the most fascinating topic in your field right now?

Photographer explores the fascinating role of AI in post-processing

Hey, I got a question here saying, what is the most fascinating topic in your field right now? Well, as a photographer, there's many different subjects, but right now what's really interesting to me at least is the advance of artificial intelligence or AI technology in things like post-processing. And while I don't believe that AI is going to take over processing my photos, I will say that some of the newer tools that I've been using for things like noise removal and sharpening are downright amazing sometimes. So I've been going back and reworking some images that I photographed, sometimes as high as ISO 25,000, and I can clean the noise right out of them without losing detail in my subject, which is truly just amazing. So I think AI is really where it's at, at least in terms of post-processing technology.

AI technology is the most fascinating topic in photography right now, with new tools allowing for amazing post processing and noise removal without losing detail in subjects.

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The most fascinating topic in my field right now is the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in post-processing. While I don't believe AI will completely take over processing my photos, the newer tools for noise removal and sharpening are truly impressive. I have been able to rework images taken at high ISOs and effectively eliminate noise without sacrificing detail in the subject. It's truly amazing to see the capabilities of AI in post-processing technology.

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Jason P. Odell is a professional photographer in Colorado, USA. He has been capturing outdoor, nature, and travel photography images digitally since 2005.