Exercise 13: Standard focal length

Standard focal length for a full frame camera is 50mm.  As I was using a smaller sized sensor the equivalent full frame focal length was between 27mm and 32mm.

I found shooting like this quite natural as the shot you get is as your naked eye would see before you.  However, I did find that you still had to get pretty close to your subjects and were therefore easily spotted.  I think also because I was working with a zoom lens there was the temptation to zoom in or out to get a better shot rather than move in closer.  

The people look in proportion and as would expect them in relation to the buildings

This woman coming out of the tube station looks as you would expect to see her.  There is an element of closeness.  

I feel moving forward that it would be best to pick a lens you are comfortable with and shoot with that as for these series of exercises I found that I had only got comfortable using one when I had to move on to another.  At times it was a little challenging to adapt.  

Advantages:

• What you see is what you get
• If working with a prime lens you can get used to physically moving to zoom in and out 
• No distortion to worry about 
• Can still give the viewer a sense of being involved in the shot
• Enjoyable for the photographer to feel part of the scene
• Less chances of people getting in the way when shooting

Disadvantages:

• People can become aware of what you are doing
• Sometimes it is good to have the option to zoom in or out when composing to ensure you don't miss that shot