Whew! I’m getting loads of questions for reader question Wednesdays! I thought it was unfair to string them out for weeks on end so I’ll answer a few at a time.

{LENSES}

Annika T. asked:

Q. What camera & lens combo do you use (most often)?

A. Oooh I love talking about my lenses :)

I use a Canon 7D and I have 4 lenses: An 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, 24mm 2.8 and an 18-200mm IS lens. The advantages to these (in my opinion) are thus:

• 85mm f/1.8 –  85mm is known as the portrait lens and I only use it for grown ups since I don’t have to chase them. 85mm is pretty ‘zoomy’, that is, you’d have to be pretty far away from your subject. A few good metres for a portrait. Note that this is a prime lens. That is, it doesn’t zoom. It’s fixed at 85mm
• 50mm f/1.4 – This is my baby! If you only bought 1 lens, it would be this. It’s nickname is the ‘Nifty Fifty’. Sharp. Clear. Fast. FAB!
• 24mm – the widest fixed lens I own. Wide is good for landscape but you know I mostly do portraits so this one seldom sees the light. If I want to throw my camera in my handbag for a day out, I’ll attach this because it’s the flattest lens I own.
• 18-200mm – this is my only zoom lens. I use it often for convenience (aka: laziness) and in the studio when I can’t be fast enough on my feet to catch the kiddies the way I want to.

You might be thinking how on earth a lens that doesn’t zoom could be any good. When I questioned a friend about how I would get closer and further away with a prime lens, he said, “you’ve got feet don’t you?” Best advice ever.

Oh I forgot to answer the question! The lens I use most often is the 50mm 1.4.

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Joanne S. asked:

Q. I’ve been reading a few reviews recently on the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, but I thought I would ask your expert opinion…I don’t think it has image stabilization built in. Do you use any lenses without IS in them, if so, how do you keep your images consistently sharp with minimal blur from handshake?

A. Weeeeell Joanne. I bought a 50mm 1.8, attached it to my camera, grimaced and promptly stuck it on Ebay. It was the worst thing I’ve ever punished my camera with. It was loud, couldn’t focus itself and I didn’t manage to get one good shot. That said, it can be a good one if you’re not photographing things that move and you have an eye for manual focus. Sorry to burst your bubble :( It costs hundreds less than a 50mm 1.4 because it’s made of plastic (sooo sorry to give you that bad news!). I’m sure people have had success with them, though, otherwise they wouldn’t be selling them.

About IS (Image Stabilisation): Only one of my lenses (18-200mm) has IS. I am always very vigilant about balancing my exposure triangle in the optimal way to reduce any camera shake. I avoid low light and when I’m in it, I use my Speedlite flash to bounce off a nearby wall (never point a flash at your subject!) Also, look for tutorials about how to properly hold a camera and a good stance for stability and you should be fine.

As far as affordable goes? That’s all relative and changes from person to person. If you’re looking for an inexpensive hobby, consider something other than photography. Let’s put it this way: I used to be a shoe-buying, accessory-loving, needless-expensive-makeup-hounding woman. Now, I’m an ASDA-sale-scouring, drug-store-makeup-wearing, who-needs-more-shoes? type of girl and it’s just because I’m addicted to buying glass. :*) I’d save up the nearly £400 and buy a 50mm 1.4 and you’ll be set for life!

{COREL PAINT SHOP PRO}

Alicia J. asked

Q. My question for you is in regards to photo editing.  Have you ever used Corel Paint Shop Pro and do you know where I can find some good tips on editing pictures with it.  I’ve noticed that most sites discuss Adobe Photo Shop or Photo Shop Elements.  Paint Shop Pro came free with my laptop and I don’t know that I want to invest in more software until I build my skills up.

A. I’ve never used anything other than Lightroom & Photoshop. When I first discovered editing, I played with Google Picasa, but you’re probably far beyond that by now. I would ask you this question, though: How will you build up your skills without the tools to do that? A weight lifter can’t build his muscles until he picks up the barbells. You might be surprised to know that PSE costs less than £80 while Corel PaintShop costs £59. Not that much different and you can find more tutorials and education about using PSE which will help you a great deal to build up your skills. And here’s a link to download a free 30 day trial! You will learn A LOT in 30 days.