Using a Prime Lens for Landscape Photography

The standard lens of choice landscape photography is an ultrawide zoom, something like a 16-35mm f/4. When working in a genre in which you have no control over the placement of elements in the scene and there is often significant physical effort to get to a location, a zoom can be a major convenience. Nevertheless, a prime lens still has its place. This great video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer sharing the benefits of using a prime lens for landscape work. 

Coming to you from Nigel Danson, this awesome video tutorial discusses the pros of using a prime lens for landscape photography. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a prime lens in this situation is actually the limitations it imposes. It can be easy to fall into the habit of shooting the same style of shots over and over when you have the convenience of a zoom, but a prime will force you to work around its limitations by trying different compositions, perspectives, etc. Often, one of the greatest ways to increase your creative abilities is to impose a restriction on yourself and work through it. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Danson.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out "Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi." 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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1 Comment

16-35 f4? Why? Any lens works for landscape depending on the subject and the result you want?

Zooms are not considered ideal because of 1) Distortion...now dealt with in software...and 2) choosing a single focal length is part of the decision making process, not dealt with in software?

I recall when shooting with a 6x9 mono rail my preferred optics were 65mm Angulon ( 30mm ish equivalent) and 120mm ( 70mm equivalent). Sometimes an even longer focal length to eliminate foreground...

But in truth it's personal choice...more relevant is camera position and framing...perspective control with movements was a bonus, and imo essential for architectural...but again transform software can correct a lot as long as you frame loosely to account for the new crop when shooting?