"If your picture is boring, get closer.”

This is perhaps the best piece of photography-related advice I have ever received and nowhere else does it hold more true than when using the 50mm prime lens.

We have tried to hone our craft with the usual line up of lenses over the years but it feels as if we always come back to the versatility of the 50mm. And there are two key reasons for that:

1) Its technical superiority when shooting wide open (typically 1.4f to 1.8f that is a higher aperture).  The way it focuses on the subject of the image in the foreground, yet gives off a beautiful blurred background, or bokeh while maintaining creamy skin tones.  

2) You have to physically frame your image whether it’s moving in, away or to the side, the lack of zoom spurs creativity. The mix of these elements is ideal for learning how to frame a portrait or capturing the intricacy and detail of an object.

Also, it’s a lens that we can use in nearly any situation. Capturing portraits of a bride and groom, candids of people on the street, food, ring shots – outside of the broad landscapes and areas where a zoom is absolutely necessary, the 50 mm can deliver value. I use it just as much as when we travel than while shooting weddings or events. Besides that, it’s incredibly reasonable price tag piles on its benefits.

The bottom line here is that this is my favourite lens. Each time I use it, I feel it forces me to become a better photographer, blending the strength of the technology and my own insight – the latter being the key driver of the quality of image that I capture. Huge recommendation. Hard to justify not having this lens if you love photography, no matter what kind.