P#14 Q2E: What Is Your Favorite Lens for Photographing Children?
Vik Orenstein's preferred lens for photographing children
The right lens is crucial to all forms of photography, and photographing children is no different. We asked Vik Orenstein which lens she liked best for child photography. She was more than happy to share that information with our listeners.
More Than One
Vik Orenstein: I'm actually torn between two lenses that I use for photographing children. I have one that I use about 70% of the time and the other one I use about 30% of the time.
I have a 18-200mm zoom that I use for photographing children that pretty much covers the entire territory. The only problem is, it's not very fast. It only has a 3.5-5.6 speed lens.
Because of this, I use my prime 50mm lens when shooting in lower light. It has a 1.8mm speed and I love it. It has beautiful, beautiful optics and it works in just about every situation.
Audri Lanford: While we're on equipment, what camera do you use?
Vik Orenstein: I shoot a Nikon D3.
Audri Lanford: That seems to be the camera of choice for many of the photographers who do portraits of people.
Vik Orenstein: I love it. It's really beautiful in low light. I do anything I can to avoid using a flash -- even in the studio when I can I shoot with available light. The D3 has really been a breakthrough for me.
To Sum Up
Some photographers may have just one lens of choice, but Vik Orenstein says there are two she can't live without. When she's photographing children she usually opts for her 18-200mm zoom, but when the light is low, the 50mm 1.8 is what she turns to.
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