One lens - artistic zen or a limiting frustration

[Jody_S]

As an exercise it is valuable, but it doesn't have to be conducted in LF.

Since I also shoot for myself, it doesn't really matter if I come back with anything good, but I do enjoy the focus that having a single available angle of view gives me. Though it doesn't work (for me) with a wide-angle, it needs to be a 'normal' or slight tele to force me into composing rather than just taking whatever comes into view.

[LeeSimmons]

Hi Jac, I'm not a huge fan of the haloing but do enjoy the softness to a point. It's an older compound shutter and I've measured the aperture and use that in the traditional sense. For my tastes I prefer the flexibility and working parameters when using it with the shutters aperture. It's not the secondary out of focus overlay from the tiny holes that I enjoy. It's the shape and draw of the lens used traditionally. I usually use it at F11 and 16. It has a weird focus representation that I'm still learning. The 200 is a shy in resolution at the edges but illuminates well. Here is a test file at F11 just getting a sense for how the lens sees and what it does with dark and light out of focus areaas. I find the groundglass is quite different than the neg. Hope that helps.

Regards Lee

[LeeSimmons]

I'm a lens pervert... it's a harem for me... none of that monogamous nonsense That bought on a good laugh.

[LeeSimmons]

Hi Kirk,

"But once I had exhausted that idea and was ready to move on"

Great quote Kirk.

I think that is it in a nutshell. I feel I am reaching my personal limits with the idea of approaching a subject with absolute sharpness, clarity and making a pretty picture. I am exploring a way to see into and beyond my subjects.

Thank yo again for the continued discussion.

Lee

[Lenny Eiger]

Almost every photographer in the History of Photography (Newhall) shot with one lens at a time, for fifteen years or so. I use one lens 95% of the time, a normal, and on occasion I have one a little longer (240 A) when I see something that is across a barrier of some kind, like a stream.... Those rarely work...

When you take on this practice, it tunes your eye to exactly what will fit in the frame.... it's a great exercise... it will definitely enhance your work.

It is, after all, a practice of finding out who you are and what you prefer. Kirk likes big scenes, and does them well. I am more interested in what's right in front of me. I don't ever look far out and see something I like.... and wish for the 500mm Tele I sold... After enough of them I just realize its not who I am. These are personal values, of course, we're all different.

Lenny

[Kirk Gittings]

Hi Kirk,

"But once I had exhausted that idea and was ready to move on"

Great quote Kirk.

I think that is it in a nutshell. I feel I am reaching my personal limits with the idea of approaching a subject with absolute sharpness, clarity and making a pretty picture. I am exploring a way to see into and beyond my subjects.

Thank yo again for the continued discussion.

Lee

Your welcome. I used to also own and carry a 65 and 450 also but never used them and sold them. In fact I also don't often use the 90 or 305. The 120 and 210 do the heavy labor.

[Mark Sawyer]

"One lens - artistic zen or a limiting frustration?" Yes, to both.

I limit myself to one lens... at a time! But it's not unusual to switch lenses in the studio when I want something longer, shorter, contrastier, faster, or with different aberrations. I could live with one lens, and did for many years. But when you learn the differences, it's nice to have the choice. Sticking with a single lens is a good exercise, but so is switching lenses and learning the differences. The real trouble comes when everything you do is practice, trials, tests, and exercises...

[Maris Rusis]

I often go out with the 4x5 and one lens with the idea that I will pursue a particular style of subject matter that day:

Spaces? Take the 75mm
Places? Take the 135mm.
Things? Take the 210mm.

The following day I'll take a different lens to catch all the interesting stuff I saw but wasn't equipped for.

[LeeSimmons]

Great input again.

Maris that is also a solid way to think about it. Great thoughts and discussion. Noosa - that's great. I grew up on the gold coast and have fond memories of Noosa. I moved to Canada about 20 years ago. Thanks for the thoughts.

Mark Too true. Hence the post trying to skip over too much testing and move to visually speaking.

Lenny - These are personal values. agreed and for me defining those is more than half the battle.

[John Kasaian]

One lens? Sure.
Get an 8x10 and one lens may be all you can afford, or physically carry in your kit.
I spent a few years with only one lens (14") and later only added on what I could use for certain situations, like a light, svelte little G Claron for back packing, a WF Ektar with acres of wiggle room for architecture, and a 19" Artar for the Grand View and I enjoy them all, but if pressed I could get by with just one, no problem---in fact on most photo shoots I'll take but one and sometimes a back up.
Go on a trip with only one lens---it's quite liberating!