LensWork - Photography and the Creative Process HT2375 - Focal Lengths That Fit Our Vision
Sep 9, 2025
The discussion showcases the transformative power of focal lengths in photography. The speaker shares their journey from limited options to a versatile setup, now equipped with lenses ranging from 16mm to 800mm. Excitement builds around a west coast trip, with plans to experiment with a new 100 to 400mm lens. Will this newfound flexibility unlock creative potential? Tune in to explore how lenses shape artistic vision!
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50mm Was Taught As 'Human' Vision
- Brooks Jensen recalls being taught that a 50mm lens equals human vision on 35mm cameras.
- He frames that lesson as foundational but later questions its universality for personal seeing.
Bought A 28mm, Then Realized His Preference
- Brooks describes buying a 28mm as his second lens because it was recommended as the next essential.
- He later realized he doesn't naturally see in wide angle or even 50mm, preferring longer focal lengths.
Personal Vision Often Favors Longer Lenses
- Brooks finds he naturally composes with longer focal lengths, using 50–200mm as his normal on Micro Four Thirds.
- He suggests personal vision often departs from textbook 'normal' focal lengths.
