If you are looking at buying your first DSLR, or you already have one and the kit lens that it came with--This post is for you.

Start out with a 50mm lens--They are fantastic. For so many reasons. I'll briefly outline those, and then if you have questions, comment or contact me!

1) A 50mm lens is affordable--Especially in comparison to most nice lenses.
When buying one though, make sure  the lens is going to be compatible with your camera. I asked for a 50mm lens for Christmas when I was first starting out. I was very disappointed that morning when I opened it, and it would not focus on my camera. Let me take a second to explain why it would not:
With Nikon, high end DSLRs have focusing motors inside the camera, and they can focus the lenses. Entry level DSLRs do not have these focusing motors, so the lenses have to make up for it and have focusing motors inside of them. Canon works a little differently than Nikon, more of their lenses auto-focus on their cameras, but there are still some complications.
So if you've got a more basic DSLR, always make sure the lens you're buying is compatible. It's a pretty easy trip to google to look it up. But do the research. It could save you disappointment on Christmas morning. ;)

2) A 50mm lens makes for nice portraits.
Why? Well at about 50mm, you are going to be seeing just a wee bit closer than what you would see with the human eye.  So it's comfortable to shoot at. Any wider angle of a lens also can tend to start looking unflattering when you are photographing someone at a close proximity. That said, I know a lot of photographers who rock a 35mm, but I personally think you can be a little closer a little more comfortably with a 50mm.
A 50mm usually comes as a f/1.4 or 1.8, which makes for a lovely shallow depth of field like in the photo below. I love how creamy and blurred out the background is--And all the bokeh--Those little circles of light in the background.

3) If you get used to it, you will not miss not being able to zoom.

When you have to "zoom" use your legs. Back away from your subject, or move in closer. The only time this doesn't work is if I'm trying to shoot a landscape, 50mm just does not cut if you're trying to get a whole lot in your frame. But unless landscape photography is your passion--I would still start with the 50mm.

4) 50mm are FANTASTIC for low lighting.
If I'm in a dark wedding reception, I just shoot with my 50mm almost exclusively. The 1.4 or 1.8 aperture allows in a lot of light. Which means that you can have a faster shutter speed, and avoid motion blur. And you'll have less noise in your photos. Noise occurs when you have to use a high ISO. The high ISO allows for more of the sensor to be more saturated with light, but the pictures are grainier because of this.

In case you need it, here are a few links to explain a couple terms:
Click here for an explanation on Aperture and Depth of Field
Click here to learn about ISO and How it Works

For your awesome Photography Pinterest Board:

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