One-Minute Reads about Film Photography

Fast lenses are more than just fast.

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Lenses with particularly low aperture numbers are commonly referred to as “fast” lenses because the low f-stop allows more light through the lens where the photographer can use a faster shutter speed in low(er) light situations.

But an often overlooked advantage of these lenses (e.g. 35mm lenses with f1.2 or Medium format f1.9 and f4 Macro) is the ability to capitalize on a very narrow Depth of Field and add some artistic capabilities to the photographer’s tool box.

Getting as close as possible to a subject and shooting with the lens “wide open” will render the primary subject matter in sharp focus while the rest of the image is out of focus with interesting bokeh in most cases.

Have fun, get close, open up, and shoot away!

• gregory gammon / www.vinylfye.com