“Thoughts on my ‘Back to the Kit Lens’ Experiment and Series”
Note: I couldn’t post this as a set for some reason (maybe the photos together were too large). I’ve provided links so you can see the others in the series that are on @milmon365
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 1 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163308144099/color-texture)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 2 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163350130079/azucar)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No.3 (http://milmontumbl.tumblr.com/post/163350747242/railyard)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 4 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163391008144/quiet-please)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 5 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163431873534/wedgewood)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 6 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163470358634/flowergate)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 7 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163525963579/lions-head)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 8 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163531717669/university-ave)
“Back to the Kit Lens,” No 9 (https://milmon365.tumblr.com/post/163585462189/laundry-day)
I have only been taking photographs with a DSLR for about 2 and a half years now. In fact it was only in the summer of 2015 when I began my first 365 days project here on Tumblr. My first DSLR was a Nikon D3200, with a standard, 18-55mm “kit lens.” I have since gone from that first camera to another crop sensor camera, the D5500, and to a full-frame D750.
As I prepared for my trip last week, I didn’t feel like carrying my big, heavy D750. In addition to my luggage and all the computer and recording gear in my backpack–I was on my way to another digital storytelling workshop–I just didn’t want to carry a camera bag with other heavy lenses. Also my D5500 had been sitting on my night stand, looking lonely and unused. I realized that I have become so accustomed to using the controls on the newer camera that I had almost forgotten how to use this one. Finally, and most importantly, I decided to test my current knowledge of photographic technique and my vision by bringing only my 18-55mm kit lens and using it exclusively for the entire week. So for this past 7 days I’ve used my crop sensor camera and a “cheap” lens to make my daily photographs.
Verdict: I loved it!
I’ll admit, it was a little rough on the first day, but I think I improved over the course of the week. I can see my own growth in three ways. I was able to:
Recognize, or “diagnose,” the limitations of my camera and lens for the shot I was after. Some of the shots were from a moving train; others were taken in low light, and so on. There were challenges, for sure, but I think I was able to understand what the basic issue was and how to account for it via my settings.
Know what other aspects of the “trinity"–Aperture, Shutter speed, and ISO–and things like exposure compensation, I could (or should) adjust to make the image better. In other words, do my best to work within and around those technical limitations.
Know what to do to fix lingering problems in post-production to produce the image I wanted.
It was particularly gratifying to see that I have indeed learned some things over the past few years. What I’ve learned has made me able to manipulate the device, the digital camera, to get it to produce the images that I wanted to capture. I was able to use the processing of the RAW files in order to convey the feeling or mood that I wanted to convey when I first saw my subject. To me that is the most important thing of all, being able to share my thought or feeling with those who view my photos.
All in all, I am extremely happy with my results of this past week. Not because my photos were "perfect,” but because of the process and the progress I was able to see in myself as a beginner and a student of photography. I look forward to another chance to do this experiment. In fact I’m thinking it might be a good idea to take a few days or a week each month to just get back to the basics, and in this case to the kit lens and to my crop sensor camera, to help me to test my knowledge, skills, and creativity.
This past week has been “eye-opening,” no pun intended (ok, maybe just a little one!). I’m just really happy to see that I’ve learned a little something over the past few years. I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and sharing.
Thanks for providing such an encouraging and inspiring community!
Milmon July 30, 2017 @milmon365 @milmonTumbl
