So, the Nikon D40 comes standard with an 18-55mm lens, which really does the job. I think the most surprising thing I found when I got it was that the 18mm focal length has a slight fisheye to it, and this made me so excited.

However, as good as this lens has been for me, I’m looking for another one so that I can have the flexibility of a longer range of photographic abilities. Lately I’ve been looking at the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens, because it is pretty much “the” companion lens to the 18-55.

When doing some research on it, I stumbled upon Ken Rockwell’s article on the lens, which was very informative and I think is going to convince me to buy the lens for 3 reasons:

1. Ken explains that even though he owns some of the more expensive lenses he tends to default on the 55-200mm VR because it’s easier to carry and more fun to use. So, truly I’ll only need one more lens to get some serious stuff going.
2. It has vibration reduction (VR) so if I shoot without a tripod (which is normally the case for me) I will have less of an issue with my inability to turn into marble on command; and
3. Ken again says “The Nikon 55-200mm VR is very inexpensive. It’s the telephoto lens bargain of the decade at only about $230.” I can go for that.

So, I’m pretty much sold. Mr. 55-200mm VR, here I come.

Nikon 55-200mm VR lens

(for more information on this lens, check out my source at KenRockwell.com)

I just read an interesting article on the Photofocus blog that touches on that urge that we all have as photographers-to be impatient and go-ahead with editing that photo on our less-than-perfect laptop.

You guys probably have your laptop that travels around with you as you take your photos and then your desktop at home with the giant screen and it’s calibrated colors, right? Well, if you’re like me you do, and if you have that going for you but your screen isn’t calibrated yet, go ahead and check out this website that you can use to help calibrate your computer monitor.

But anyways, back to the urge to edit. Of course, if you’re in less than perfect conditions, just wait a little while longer to edit those images when you have plenty of good lighting and a robust computer to work with them on.

Then there’s always the option to keep your images just the way they are; this works most of the time for me, and as you can tell by this photo I took in England this past summer, it worked great:

See you around.

-Taylor

…but until then, you should watch this TED talk on creativity- it is pointed towards music, but I believe it also applies to the visual arts!