Understanding Photography

3Understanding Camera Lenses

NOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND HOW exposure and digital data work, the next most important thing is choosing the appropriate lens to control how the image appears. We’ll discuss camera lenses first because they’re the camera equipment you need for each and every shot, regardless of style. They also have a widespread influence on both the technical and creative aspects of photography.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how light gets translated into an image. You’ll start by learning the different components of a typical camera lens to understand how focal length, aperture, and lens type affect imagery. You’ll also learn the trade-offs with zoom lenses versus prime or fixed focal length lenses. Then you’ll learn how to use wide-angle ...