David J. Carol

I would say approximately 99% of my personal work is shot with either a 21mm or 24mm lens. My first pro camera  was a Leica M42 with a 35 f/2 lens on it. I learned to shoot using pretty much just that lens while I was at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I think its important to learn how to shoot with one prime lens as opposed to using a zoom. A person needs to learn what they see, how they see and where they need to physically be in relation to their subjects. If you use a zoom, you do just that. You zoom in and you zoom out. I don't think you get the same sense of how to frame your photos or where you need to be to get the pictures you want. I want someone first starting out to run around, get in close, make something happen.  Try out a variety of prime lenses until you find the right one for you. Spend some time with that one lens and see if you end up with more photos that you really love. I'm betting that you do.