Foundations of Photography: Lenses with Ben Long

Many of the creative options available to a photographer hinge on an in-depth understanding of lenses. In Foundations of Photography: Lenses, Ben Long shows how to choose lenses and take full advantage of their creative options. The course covers fundamental concepts that apply to any camera, such as focal length and camera position, and shows how to evaluate and shop for DSLR lenses. The second half of the course focuses on shooting techniques: controlling autofocus, working with different focal lengths, and managing distortion and flare. The course also examines various filters and contains tips on cleaning and maintaining lenses.

Topics include:

• Understanding field of view and camera position


• Depth of field and lens choice


• How to choose a lens


• Examining lens features


• Using specialized lenses such as fisheye and tilt/shift lenses


• Focusing techniques


• Using filters


• Camera maintenance