The Nifty Fifty!

I recently picked up a new lens, the Canon 50mm f1.8 STM. This is a highly reviewed lens. In fact the lens has gained a couple of nicknames over the years, "The Nifty Fifty" and "The Fantastic Plastic". The 50mm 1.8 is usually at the top of reviewers lists for lens to get.

On an APS-C camera such as my T5, with it's 1.6 crop factor, the lens is closer to an 80 mm lens which makes a great portrait lens. The large aperture capabilities of this lens guarantees a lot of bokeh in your photos which is a desirable quality in portraits. The fact that the lens has been upgraded with seven blades, compared to the old version's five, means the bokeh will have a nice round appearance.

These next two photo's are examples of a "Street Portrait" I took during a street fair on Canada Day 2017 in Barrie, Ontario.

                                                                f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso100

f5.6, 1/640sec, iso100

It is also a great lens for "Street Photography". It would be better on a "Full Frame Sensor" than on the APS-C sensor that my Canon has but it is still a good lens for street photography. It's small size is perfect for street photography. It takes great photos at smaller apertures such as f5.6 or f8 which makes it a great lens for the street. 

Taken @ Canada Day street fair in Barrie, Ontario.

f5.6, 1/400sec, iso100

Taken during the Barrie Pride Parade in Barrie, Ontario

f5.6, 1/500 sec, iso100

The lens is also good for nature photography, as long as you are not looking for a wide angle shot. It is good for close up or shots of buildings and animals. For actual landscape photography you would need something wider such as a lens under 20mm. However, I found the 50 mm lens a good one for photographing buildings such as this small barn. I feel that the lens gives a good perspective for shots like this, not too close, nor too wide.

f7.1, 1/80 sec, iso100

If I had any complaint and I only have one is that the lens does not have image stabilization. I am not the steadiest of shooters and I would prefer if all lens, well all camera's for that matter, had image stabilization built into them. But that is my only complaint with the lens so far.  

A Muse!

A Muse: someone...usually a woman....who inspires creativity in an artist!


I will be the first to admit that I do not have a lot experience or know a lot beyond the basics about portrait photography. There is a lot I need to learn with things like lighting, design of a shot and many more aspects of a good portrait. I could take some courses but they are expensive. I can learn a lot on YouTube, from books and in blogs. But they say the best education in something is from experience. So the best way to learn the "ins and outs" of portrait photography is to go out and actually to it.

So when it comes to learning the art of portrait photography I have come to feel that I need to find a model that I can work with on a regular basis....a Muse! I hope to find a model, male or female, hopefully someone with some experience, that I can work with on a regular basis. I want to find someone who I can experiment with lighting, themes and other issues that one deals with this type of photography.

Hopefully I can find a model who is willing to do a series of projects with on a "Time for Print" basis for now, someone who is content with getting shots for their own portfolio. That way we both get some shots to hopefully advance our careers, I have some ideas for shoots I would love to do, such as a "Urban Dance" project with a model who can do dance moves such as ballet but in an urban environment. If I can find a "Muse" model it would have to be someone who also creative, come up with their own ideas for shoots to try. It would be an equal collaboration between myself and them.

I am of course open to working with other models, but I am looking for that one model who can develop on ongoing working relationship with. Someone who gets my creativity working, who inspires me and challenges me to be a better photographer!