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how to choose the right lens


teaching photography to kids


In today's digital age, photography has become an increasingly popular hobby and form of creative expression. If you're a parent interested in teaching photography to your children, understanding the different types of lenses and their capabilities is essential.

In this post, we will explore the versatility of three commonly used lenses: the 70-200mm lens, the 24-70mm lens, and an extra wide-angle lens. Each lens offers unique perspectives and opens up new creative possibilities. Let's dive in!


The 70-200mm Lens: Zooming in on Details

teaching photography to kids


The 70-200mm lens is a telephoto lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths, making it incredibly versatile. This lens excels at capturing details from a distance, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, and portrait photography. Here are some key features and types of photos you can capture with this lens:

a) Portraits: The 70-200mm lens creates beautiful portrait shots with a shallow depth of field, allowing you to isolate your subject from the background. Its focal length compresses the scene, resulting in a flattering perspective for your subjects.

b) Sports and Action: With its zoom capability, the 70-200mm lens allows you to capture action-packed shots from afar, making it a favorite among sports photographers. It helps you freeze the action and bring your subjects closer, even from a distance.

c) Wildlife Photography: This lens is a popular choice for capturing wildlife due to its long reach. It enables you to photograph animals without disturbing them, capturing their behavior and intricate details.


The 24-70mm Lens: The All-Purpose Workhorse

teaching photography to kids


The 24-70mm lens is often referred to as the "workhorse" lens due to its versatility and practical focal length range. It's a go-to lens for many photographers, allowing them to capture a wide variety of subjects. Here are some ways you can make the most of this lens:

a) Landscape Photography: The 24-70mm lens provides a wide-angle view, making it great for capturing expansive landscapes. It helps you include more of the scene, emphasizing depth and scale.

b) Street Photography: With its versatile focal length, this lens is perfect for documenting urban life and capturing candid moments on the streets. Its moderate wide-angle perspective gives you enough context while maintaining intimacy with your subject.

c) Environmental Portraits: The 24-70mm lens strikes a balance between wide-angle and telephoto, making it suitable for environmental portraits. It allows you to incorporate both the subject and their surroundings, telling a more comprehensive story.


Extra Wide-Angle Lens: Expanding Perspectives

teaching photography to kids


An extra wide-angle lens, typically ranging from 14-24mm, pushes the boundaries of perspective and allows you to capture dramatic and immersive photos. It's particularly useful for architectural, landscape, and creative photography. Let's explore its possibilities:

a) Architecture and Interiors: The wide field of view provided by an extra wide-angle lens helps you capture entire buildings, emphasizing their grandeur and unique architectural details. It allows for creative compositions by distorting perspectives and playing with lines.

b) Landscapes and Skies: When photographing landscapes, an extra wide-angle lens enables you to capture vast expanses of land and dramatic skies. It emphasizes the sense of scale and depth, immersing viewers into the scene.

c) Creative Distortions: Wide-angle lenses offer unique opportunities for creative experimentation. You can use them to exaggerate perspectives, create dynamic compositions, and introduce creative distortions to your photos, adding a touch of uniqueness to your work.


Understanding the capabilities of different lenses is vital when teaching photography to children or exploring the art form yourself. The 70-200mm lens excels at capturing details from a distance, the 24-70mm lens is a versatile all-purpose workhorse, and an extra wide-angle lens expands perspectives and offers creative possibilities.

By experimenting with these lenses, you and your children can unlock new ways to capture the world and express your creativity through photography. So grab your camera, choose your lens, and embark on a visual journey filled with exciting discoveries!



Photography lesson plans pack (Printables)

Jump right into teaching photography with our exclusive Photography Lesson Plans pack.

Includes:

  • 10 Photography Lesson Plans
  • 1 Teacher's Guide 
  • 3 Photography Study Guides
  • 30-Day Photography Challenge
  • 1 Student Workbook
  • 24 Cut-Out Photo Flash Cards
  • 1 Photo Scavenger Hunt


PHOTOGRAPHY LESSON PLANS >>



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