Photography Basics Part 8: Which Lens Should You Buy Next?

Welcome to Episode 8 of the 10-part Photography Basics series. 

Today we are asking one of those questions that is constantly being asked by new students to photography…

"Which Lens Should You Buy Next?"

Moving on from your Kit Lens

Having got the kit lens that came with your new camera, you're now looking to take your photography to the next level. 

You realise that this lens is perhaps not the best lens to help you.   Kit lenses are usually (there are some exceptions) very low quality, poor optics, poor materials and in most cases, they don't come with wide apertures, making it difficult to shoot in low light and virtually impossible to get nicely blurred out backgrounds.  

There is often a real sense of frustration with the kit lens.  It's at this point that many new photographers start to think they really need to get something else.

This week's Tog-Talk unpacks some of the mystery surrounding lenses and I give you my recommendations for the next lens to buy...

Improving your photography

I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to improve your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo-editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?

Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one year course)

Students in the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills.  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Test your photography knowledge

Or you could simply have a go at our Photography Assessment Tool