Landscape Photography With A 50mm Lens? OK, You Got Our Attention

Traditionally, wide-angle lenses are the 'go-to' glass for landscape fans but we'll let you in on a secret - you can actually use any lens you like for landscape photography.

As with many things in life, it is not what you've got, it's how you use it that counts and one photographer advocating this is Toma Bonciu who has a vlog over on YouTube where he actually talks about all things photography but the 50mm lens does make a few appearances amongst the topics.  

What's interesting about a 50mm lens is it's a prime so instead of putting the camera and lens combo on a tripod and using zoom to frame your shot, you actually have to use your feet and move to create your composition. As a result, you're given the opportunity to really look at your surroundings and you can actually create better images because of it. 

It's refreshing and almost liberating as you're not tied to one spot with the shackles of your tripod - a trap that's all too easy to fall into when you start clicking the shutter button. 

Another notion that Toma introduces which some landscape traditionalist may gasp at is to, literally, release yourself from your three-legged companion by switching from f/22, f/18... etc. to much wider apertures that add a little creative bokeh to images. After all, sometimes it's what we can't see that can really build a story in our imaginations. 

We've rambled on enough but before we sign off so you can enjoy the video, shooting landscapes with a 50mm lens may not get you the results you were hoping to achieve straight away but as with all forms of photography, patience and persistence is key so don't give in and grab that wide-angle just yet.