4 Must-Have Lenses for a Photojournalist
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 9:16AM So lately I’ve been trying to become a better environmental portrait photographer by using using more complicated flash techniques and as I do my homework, I quickly realize what is common sense to the folks that shoot it everyday, is not so much for me.
As for photojournalism internationally, I’ve got my kit dialed down and really don’t have to deal with that much equipment. But I think I may even take for granted how intuitively I use my setup and my lens selection.
Most of this is pretty basic, but if your like me with flash work, maybe lens selection is complicated.
So here is my basic list of must-haves for any aspiring photojournalist not wanting to miss a thing when traveling.
If I only had one lens to take with me, it’s this one. The 14-24mm does things no lens before has done. For one, it’s super sharp at 14mm. For sharpness, the 14-24mm is blazingly sharp and devoid of any coma or softness at every aperture. It’s pretty unreal.
This sharpness in low light is what makes this my go-to-lens in most situations. I’ve also mentioned this in the past, but in the photojournalism world, if your images aren’t good enough, it usually means you’re not close enough. Also being a writer, I’m forced into situations, needing to ask questions, interview and listen. I can’t just sit back in the distance and shoot with longer zoom.
24mm - Yemen
16mm - Chad
14mm - Yemen
Nikon invented the world’s first 50mm 1.4 lens in 1950. In all honesty, it hasn’t changed much since then. If I only had 2 lenses to bring, this would be my second. It’s a far better choice than any zoom for use in low light, and effectively quadruples your ISO, with no increase in noise, compared to any exotic f/2.8 zoom.
I use it a lot for environmental portraiture. Really sharp. Great in low light. Compact and quick.
Yemen
Sudan
Sudan
Even though this is one of the sharpest midrange zooms on the market and should be a workhorse lens due to the zoom, I don’t use it that much. But when I do, it always comes through. There are a lot of situations where I know that I wont be able to move around much and having flexibility in focal length can really help with the overall composition.
When on assignment, I always bring it, but I don’t always take it with me everyday. If I know I’m going to be indoors a lot, I’ll bring it. Also, if I’m just traveling and only want one lens with me, I’ll bring this one.
Syria
Paris
Sacramento
Syria
The must have long lens for when you can’t get close or just shouldn’t. Great for compressing space to put a subject in greater context of the environment. When you have room or a good vantage point, great for capturing large spaces. Makes it possible to get shots that simply would be impossible to get without.
Kenya
Yemen
Kenya
Sudan
Yemen
Honorable mention –
