Kearney’s 36th annual Cruise Nite kicked off on Tuesday. The six-day automobile festival celebrates classic cars with Show and Shine events, a parade, auction, kid-friendly carnival and more. Pictured above, Toby Vance poses for a portrait while sitting inside of his ’79 728 Camaro on Wednesday. Vance has owned the car for 20 years.
Embracing minimalism can offer a fresh perspective on composition and storytelling. For photographers, understanding the power of minimalism is not just about capturing less; it’s about conveying more with simplicity and directness. This approach to photography is challenging, but it can be a game-changer in an artist’s journey, offering a lens to view the world differently and to distill its essence into a single, impactful frame.
Coming to from The Photographic Eye, this great introduces us to the work of Australian photographer Allen Koppe, renowned for its stunning minimalist compositions. The interview delves into Koppe’s journey in photography, revealing his transition from a fascination with black and white photography to a career in cinematography. This background uniquely influenced his photographic style, emphasizing the importance of the single frame, whether in motion or still. Koppe’s approach to photography, as he shares, is instinctual rather than formulaic. He doesn’t adhere to rigid rules like the Golden Ratio; instead, he relies on his gut feeling to capture images that resonate with him. This perspective is particularly enlightening, emphasizing the significance of intuition and personal vision in creating compelling images and building an individual style.
Koppes discusses how he achieves simplicity in his images, likening it to the process of architectural design, where reduction and focusing on essential elements are key. Moreover, his discussion about not confining his work within specific genres, but rather letting the feeling guide his compositions, encourages photographers to explore beyond traditional boundaries and find their unique voice. Even if you don’t shoot in a certain genre typically, trying different approaches can have a very positive impact on your main work. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
If you’ve just unboxed a new mirrorless or DSLR camera, it probably came with a kit lens. Often a mid-range zoom (such as 18-55mm), these bundled barrels are great for getting started. But because they’re built to a budget, their performance is usually limited. If you’re ready to take the next step with your photography, it’s probably time to look at the best second lenses.
Additional lenses unlock new shooting capabilities for your camera, letting you take better photos of specific subjects and settings. Fast prime lenses, for example, enable you to experiment with depth of field in street and portrait photography. Telephoto zooms get you much closer to your subject, with longer models ideal for capturing images of wildlife and action. You’ll also find macro, wide-angle and premium zoom lenses on the market.
With so many lens choices out there, it can be tricky to pick the right one for your needs and budget. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites in the list below. As it’s impossible to cover all of the available options for every camera model and mount, we’ve instead selected a handful of top deals for the best mirrorless cameras and best DSLRs. Each has been chosen as a good example of what to look for when shopping for a second lens.
And remember: you don’t need to cover every focal length in your kit bag; it’s smarter to buy only the lenses you need for the photos you like to take.
Different manufacturers use different mounts for their mirrorless cameras, so you’ll need to pick a lens which fits your specific model. If there isn’t one listed below, take a look at our dedicated round-ups of the best Sony lenses, the best Canon RF lenses, the best Nikon Z lenses and the best Micro Four Thirds lenses (a mount used by Panasonic and OM System).
50mm prime
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The nifty fifty
A fast prime with a fixed focal length of 50mm, the so-called nifty fifty is a very useful second lens. Its wide maximum aperture is ideal for portraiture and useful in low light. It’s also compact, affordable and, paired with a full-frame sensor, offers a field of view similar to the human eye. This Canon RF model is a great example: tidily designed and lightweight at 160g, its f/1.8 aperture delivers a pleasantly shallow depth of field. It’s inexpensive, too.
All-rounder
Nikon Z 24-120mm F/4 S
The all-rounder zoom
Starting wide and zooming to telephoto, this 24-120mm lets you cover a lot of bases without switching lenses. While it overlaps with the range of a 24-70mm f/4 kit lens, it zooms much further while maintaining the same maximum aperture. That makes it a very versatile lens for shooting a range of everyday scenarios. Plus it’s consistently sharp across focal lengths. If you’d prefer even longer range over constant aperture, consider the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3.
Telephoto
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
The telephoto zoom
Whether you want to shoot wildlife or sports, the 70-200mm is a classic choice of telephoto, with a range that’s useful in a variety of scenarios. Like 24-70mm zooms, the 70-200mm generally ships in two configurations: a fast f/2.8 version with a pro price tag, and a smaller, more affordable f/4 option. This stabilized Sony number represents the latter. It’s a remarkably flexible lens, with excellent image quality, fast AF and half-macro support for close focusing.
Mirrorless might be the future, but there’s still an active market for DSLR cameras and lenses to match. Canon and Nikon are the only manufacturers to feature in our list of the best DSLR cameras, so we’ve focused on lenses to fit their models below. For further recommendations, check out our specific features on the best Nikon DSLR lenses and the best Canon DSLR lenses.
Wide-angle
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
The wide-angle zoom
From landscapes to architecture, wide-angle lenses let you exaggerate perspectives to cover expansive scenes in a single frame. Designed for Nikon and Canon DSLRs, this Tamron 10-24mm zoom is one of our favorite wide-angle options for APS-C models. It handles well, while weather sealing complements the high-quality build. It also benefits from good sharpness and contrast, aided by a quick AF system and optical image stabilization. It’s sold for Canon EF and Nikon F mounts.
30mm prime
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM A
The 30mm prime
Like the nifty fifty above, this is a fast prime that performs fantastically in low light and delivers a tight depth of field. Paired with a full-frame sensor, 30mm looks notably wider. But with an APS-C body, it gets close to that classic 50mm look (depending on the crop factor). It’s well-built, fast to focus and impressively sharp even at f/1.4. Plus it’s available with a number of mounts, including Nikon F, Canon EF and Sony A.
Super-telephoto
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
The super-telephoto zoom
Super-telephoto lenses are fantastic for wildlife and sports photography. A fixed focal length will give you the best outright performance, but a tele-zoom is more useful for covering different scenarios. Take this 70-300mm lens from Canon: compatible with APS-C and full-frame models, it covers a range of telephoto lengths while staying sharp at the center of the frame. It’s also fast to focus, features a useful built-in display and weighs a relatively light 710g.
About 3 hours north of San Francisco sits a coastal community called the Sea Ranch. Built in the 1960s by a small group of architects, designers, and planner Lawrence Halprin, the community is centered around its immersion in nature. The Sea Ranch community consists of about 2,000 residences, and also includes a community lodge, which is where we’ll be spending our time today for this Project of the Week!
Architectural Photographer Adam Potts whose work I just adore will be showing us around the Sea Ranch lodge today. His project consists of a myriad of beautiful photographs, and lots of great intel on the shoot, so I’ll let him do most of the talking here! Lets go:
Adam introduces us to the Sea Ranch Lodge by sharing, “This project was one of the most exciting of my career so far. There is so much precious history and legacy at The Sea Ranch. I had actually been diving deep into hardcover books and making some trips to the area. I’m very passionate about mid-century design and architecture, and there aren’t many other places where so much of it exists against such incredible coastal scenery. The whole concept revolves around harmony between nature and its inhabitants. While suburban sprawl with blocked access to nature was the mainstream concept in the 1960s, The Sea Ranch project aimed at the opposite with a respect for nature at the core of its development.”
He continues, “The assignment involved photographing 2 newly renovated buildings, and the surrounding landscape. My main client was the developer of the project The Sea Ranch Lodge, and the interior designer that designed the new lodge hotel rooms Nicole Hollis. The first building had been completed a year prior with some significant changes. This building included the restaurant, cafe, post office, and general store (architect-Mithun Design, interior designer-Charles de Lisle). The second building, attached by a portal to the coastal bluffs, consisted of the renovated and reimagined guest rooms and meeting spaces… all with ocean views across the sweeping bluffs.”
As with the rest of his beautiful work, Adam’s photographs are steeped in gorgeous light and comprised of smart compositions.
Shapely, with nice shadows, textures, and restrained post-processing, Adam’s work comes across true to real life, and is each image is expertly made.
I love the shadows here, they add a playful element while giving us a sense for the time of day and the weather on site.
“Photographing this coastal project in June was tricky, given the coastal fog/marine layer patterns,” Adam explains about the shoot.
“Our first of many shoot days was focused on the restaurant and cafe, along with some overall exterior shots. As good fortune would have it, we (my assistant and I) had a stunningly clear day with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. We had to spend some time adjusting furniture but worked quickly with abundant natural light needing little strobe for the interior shots. Earlier in the day, I was able to scout some of the exterior photos to be captured at sunset and dusk. One of my biggest concerns was of course capturing the views without fog and I was off to a great start.”
Inside the lodge, Adam includes the same patterned light that gives plenty of visual interest and warms up the space. I love the balance in exposure between the interiors and the exterior view. Top notch!
Adam says, “The next phase of the project involved photographing select lodge rooms. Construction delays and press deadlines converged making for some challenging circumstances, but the amazing local team was able to pull the last-minute details together and we had just the right mix of weather during the days that the interior designer was present to assist in the direction of the room photos and styling.
Prior to the shoot, I used Sunseeker and other planning apps to lay out rough timelines for the room shots. We had some foggy mornings and took advantage of these conditions by shooting spaces without coastal views. I like capturing the majority of the planned shots during the day according to sun position, and then circling back to the most important views an hour before sunset, capturing that magical moody light that we all love… already familiar with compositions that work and styling set in place.”
The quality of light and gentle coloration of each scene really sets Adam’s work apart. His photographs of the rooms are inviting and tranquil.
They are rich with mood and teleport us to the Sea Ranch visually.
“The team at Nicole Hollis did an incredible job curating bold/beautiful furniture, art, and styling elements that fit perfectly,” Adam explains “During the next trip, I focused on room follow-up shots and we still needed to capture overall exterior shots in early morning light along with several dusk shots. Construction had finally wrapped up fully in the courtyard and I planned several shots both in the evening and early morning. “
This next shot is one of my favorites. The strong lines, the warm light mixed with cool shadows – it all just feels so idyllic.
Adam shares, “My favorite exterior photos of both buildings were taken as the fog was clearining early in the morning (an absolute gift). Several drone images were taken as well, emphasizing the surrounding landscape. With at least 4 trips to the project, I really felt like I was able to understand how special the area was and how fortunate I was to capture this chapter of its legacy.
This project evolved from a previous relationship with a client at a different hotel project…needless to say, relationships matter a great deal and I really treasure all of my clients and their effort to bring these amazing projects to life.”
I appreciate how Adam took the time to document so much of the landscape that surrounds the Sea Ranch. It speaks to the community’s original purpose to be immersed and one with nature, and it really helps convey what makes this community so special.
An enormous thank you to Adam Potts for submitting in this beautiful project to us. The Sea Ranch has such wonderful history, and Adam’s photographs definitely do it justice!
Adam’s photos of the ranch have been widely published. You can see and learn more about this project on Dwell, Conde’ Nast, and Arch paper. Well deserved Adam!
Visit adampottsphotography.com and @adampottsphoto to see more of Adam’s stellar photos!
If you have a project you’d like to be considered for Project of the Week, you can submit it here.
Friday is LJ’s last day working full-time at KSDK. This month marked his 40-year anniversary at the station. Happy retirement, LJ!
The Keokuk Art Center is set to inaugurate its 2024 series of artists’ exhibits with a captivating photography display by Joe Morgan entitled “We All See What We Want to See.” A lifelong Keokuk resident, Morgan brings his deep-rooted love for the town to life through his lens.
Morgan’s journey with photography began in his high school years and has flourished ever since. His work is a blend of art, craft, and science, reflecting his passion for capturing the essence of his subjects. Over the years, he has delved into various aspects of photography, with a particular fondness for wildlife, stormscapes, and macro photography.
Operating from his studio, Mississippi Valley Photography, at 415 Main St., Morgan is not only a prolific photographer but also an avid mentor, sharing his expertise and experience with aspiring photographers.
The Art Center is excited to host a special artist reception for Morgan, offering the public a unique opportunity to meet the artist and experience his remarkable work. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Jan. 5 in the Keokuk Art Round Room Galleries, located at 210 N Fifth St. Attendees can look forward to an evening of art and camaraderie, complete with refreshments.
Morgan’s exhibit promises to be a visual treat, showcasing his ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the world through his camera. The exhibit, open to the public, will be on display throughout January at the same location.
For more information or to connect with Joe Morgan, the public can contact Mississippi Valley Photography at 319-795-0032.
The Keokuk Art Center remains dedicated to showcasing local talent and providing a platform for artists to share their vision with the community. Joe Morgan’s exhibit is expected to be a vibrant start to an exciting year of art and culture in Keokuk.
Friday is LJ’s last day working full-time at KSDK. This month marked his 40-year anniversary at the station. Happy retirement, LJ!
The Louisiana Photographic Society named its three top photographers of the year at an annual dinner and awards banquet at the Main Library at Goodwood.
The awards were presented to members in basic, advanced and masters level competition. This year’s awards went to George Carpenter, basic; Marilyn Goff, advanced; and Linda Medine, masters. Both Carpenter and Goff will advance to the next highest level. Masters is the highest level a photographer can obtain.
The organization dates to 1996 and has nearly 200 members. The society is for those who love photography, no matter if they’re a novice point-and-shoot photographer or an experienced one. Members enjoy a variety of experiences, from field trips to monthly competitions, exhibits, photography classes, show-and-tell and professional critiques. The group meets monthly at the Main Library at Goodwood.
British wildlife photographer and guide Paul Goldstein has marked an eventful year by choosing a gallery of picture highlights from 2023.
Wimbledon-based conservationist Paul Goldstein says he especially embraces the most remote and rugged environments to achieve breathtaking shots.
Highlights range from hardy Antarctic penguins to Kenyan elephants negotiating dramatic storms.
Paul explains: “Adverse weather becomes the perfect ally for photography. Despite its challenging impact on my equipment, it’s during these tough conditions that I achieve the finest results.”
His guiding ventures have traversed five continents, spanning from his cherished Kenyan Conservancies to the wetlands of Brazil, the extreme northern reaches of Canada, Central India, Spitsbergen, Antarctica, and even within the UK.
For Paul, the pursuit of a flawless wildlife photograph isn’t the goal. He reflects, “There’s no such thing as perfection in wildlife photography, and that’s exactly how it should be. However, that pursuit won’t deter me from seeking that perfect shot. If it were an easy task, it wouldn’t hold the same allure for me.”
Beyond his photographic endeavours, Paul is a co-owner of Kicheche Camps, a collection of four environmentally conscious camps located in Kenyan conservancies, where he dedicates a significant part of his year guiding enthusiasts amid the African wilderness.
Wildlife photographer and guide Paul Goldstein has marked an eventful year by choosing a gallery of picture highlights from 2023. A mother polar bear pauses for a moment with cubs to assess the terrain before walking off over the frozen fjord, Baffin Island Canada. Photo: Paul Goldstein / SWNS
British wildlife photographer and guide Paul Goldstein has marked an eventful year by choosing a gallery of picture highlights from 2023. Photo: Paul Goldstein / SWNS
A perfect sunset and male lion surveying its kingdom in Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya. Photo: Paul Goldstein / SWNS
One of Paul Goldstein’s groups enjoys the night sky and bush TV (the camp fire) at Kicheche Bush Camp, Kenya. Photo: Paul Goldstein / SWNS
