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I can tell you which ones I use and why I think they work well for what they are in terms of the various types of photography that I shoot.

These lenses make up a great range for me: 20mm f2.8, 35mm f1.4L, 50mm f1.2L, and the 70-200mm f2.8L IS II. Since I’m never shooting any sporting events or wildlife, I never need to go more than 200mm. These lenses provide the range I need without using zoom lenses in the wider angles. I prefer the prime lenses when working in the closer ranges with talent because they get me to move in and out physically to compose the frame. I also feel the prime lenses are much sharper in the closer ranges than say the 24-70mm f2.8L (which is still a great lens).

So here is a deeper description of each lens, the thought process, and what I use them for:

The 20mm f2.8
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is not an L series lens, but still has a great feeling and quality. I use this lens for travel, landscapes, and dynamic action lifestyle where I can get super close. The lens has an interesting vortex feeling that works great with landscapes. Dynamic action or journalistic image are great where the subject is close to the lens. This is a fantastic lens for sports shots.

2013 John Peel Alternative Training LA

Conde Nast Traveler: Active CarribbeanBarbados

The 35mm f1.4L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This lens is great for lifestyle groups and tighter spaces that need to capture more environment. It works great for indoors when you are working withing a confined space. One thing to be aware of is shooting one person vertically full body, it tends to distort a little. I prefer the 50mm when it comes to this type of shot. The 35mm is great for movement and action with 2-5 people.

2013 Generosity Water Launch shoot

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

The 50mm f1.2L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

I love this lens for lifestyle imagery with one person. I call this lens the “real life” lens. It feels very real to what the normal eye sees. This lens is great for portraits and one on one interaction with a subject. Lifestyle and fashion images with one subject are great for this lens.

Old Navy Brand Book Fashion Shoot Los Angles, CA - Feb 14, 2012

The 70-200mm f2.8L IS II
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is the only zoom lens that I use, and it serves it’s purpose. I use it a lot when I’m shooting travel photography. I can shoot moments that happen further away without being intrusive or even the subject knowing. This lens also works great for tighter portrait as it compresses the image. I also love shooting subjects in a bigger environment with it because it gives the scene a dreamy feeling. I’ll also shoot some fashion images with it to compress the background and really put the focus on the subject and clothes.

2014 Pencils of Promise Ghana 200th

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

Overall, I experiment and use these lenses interchangeably. I try each of them out in different situations to see what makes the most sense.

What lenses are in your arsenal?

3/25/14

These 4 Lenses Make My Perfect Arsenal

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BRAND INTELLIGENCE

CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE

LIFE INTELLIGENCE

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infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

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GET THE DETAILS

infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

Hey! I'm Nick.

PHOTOGRAPHER
BRAND ALCHEMIST
TEACHER

My mission is to amplify your self-expression, elevating your consciousness and enhancing your presence. Journeying across the globe, I capture your unique story to ensure you radiate brilliance - worldwide.

BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT

masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding 

LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE

CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION

I can tell you which ones I use and why I think they work well for what they are in terms of the various types of photography that I shoot.

These lenses make up a great range for me: 20mm f2.8, 35mm f1.4L, 50mm f1.2L, and the 70-200mm f2.8L IS II. Since I’m never shooting any sporting events or wildlife, I never need to go more than 200mm. These lenses provide the range I need without using zoom lenses in the wider angles. I prefer the prime lenses when working in the closer ranges with talent because they get me to move in and out physically to compose the frame. I also feel the prime lenses are much sharper in the closer ranges than say the 24-70mm f2.8L (which is still a great lens).

So here is a deeper description of each lens, the thought process, and what I use them for:

The 20mm f2.8
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is not an L series lens, but still has a great feeling and quality. I use this lens for travel, landscapes, and dynamic action lifestyle where I can get super close. The lens has an interesting vortex feeling that works great with landscapes. Dynamic action or journalistic image are great where the subject is close to the lens. This is a fantastic lens for sports shots.

2013 John Peel Alternative Training LA

Conde Nast Traveler: Active CarribbeanBarbados

The 35mm f1.4L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This lens is great for lifestyle groups and tighter spaces that need to capture more environment. It works great for indoors when you are working withing a confined space. One thing to be aware of is shooting one person vertically full body, it tends to distort a little. I prefer the 50mm when it comes to this type of shot. The 35mm is great for movement and action with 2-5 people.

2013 Generosity Water Launch shoot

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

The 50mm f1.2L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

I love this lens for lifestyle imagery with one person. I call this lens the “real life” lens. It feels very real to what the normal eye sees. This lens is great for portraits and one on one interaction with a subject. Lifestyle and fashion images with one subject are great for this lens.

Old Navy Brand Book Fashion Shoot Los Angles, CA - Feb 14, 2012

The 70-200mm f2.8L IS II
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is the only zoom lens that I use, and it serves it’s purpose. I use it a lot when I’m shooting travel photography. I can shoot moments that happen further away without being intrusive or even the subject knowing. This lens also works great for tighter portrait as it compresses the image. I also love shooting subjects in a bigger environment with it because it gives the scene a dreamy feeling. I’ll also shoot some fashion images with it to compress the background and really put the focus on the subject and clothes.

2014 Pencils of Promise Ghana 200th

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

Overall, I experiment and use these lenses interchangeably. I try each of them out in different situations to see what makes the most sense.

What lenses are in your arsenal?

3/25/14

These 4 Lenses Make My Perfect Arsenal

infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT

GET THE DETAILS

GET THE DETAILS

infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

PODCAST

BRAND INTELLIGENCE

CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE

LIFE INTELLIGENCE

Hey! I'm Nick.

PHOTOGRAPHER
BRAND ALCHEMIST
TEACHER

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia.

I can tell you which ones I use and why I think they work well for what they are in terms of the various types of photography that I shoot.

These lenses make up a great range for me: 20mm f2.8, 35mm f1.4L, 50mm f1.2L, and the 70-200mm f2.8L IS II. Since I’m never shooting any sporting events or wildlife, I never need to go more than 200mm. These lenses provide the range I need without using zoom lenses in the wider angles. I prefer the prime lenses when working in the closer ranges with talent because they get me to move in and out physically to compose the frame. I also feel the prime lenses are much sharper in the closer ranges than say the 24-70mm f2.8L (which is still a great lens).

So here is a deeper description of each lens, the thought process, and what I use them for:

The 20mm f2.8
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is not an L series lens, but still has a great feeling and quality. I use this lens for travel, landscapes, and dynamic action lifestyle where I can get super close. The lens has an interesting vortex feeling that works great with landscapes. Dynamic action or journalistic image are great where the subject is close to the lens. This is a fantastic lens for sports shots.

2013 John Peel Alternative Training LA

Conde Nast Traveler: Active CarribbeanBarbados

The 35mm f1.4L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This lens is great for lifestyle groups and tighter spaces that need to capture more environment. It works great for indoors when you are working withing a confined space. One thing to be aware of is shooting one person vertically full body, it tends to distort a little. I prefer the 50mm when it comes to this type of shot. The 35mm is great for movement and action with 2-5 people.

2013 Generosity Water Launch shoot

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

The 50mm f1.2L
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

I love this lens for lifestyle imagery with one person. I call this lens the “real life” lens. It feels very real to what the normal eye sees. This lens is great for portraits and one on one interaction with a subject. Lifestyle and fashion images with one subject are great for this lens.

Old Navy Brand Book Fashion Shoot Los Angles, CA - Feb 14, 2012

The 70-200mm f2.8L IS II
2014 Nick Onken Shoptalk Post

This is the only zoom lens that I use, and it serves it’s purpose. I use it a lot when I’m shooting travel photography. I can shoot moments that happen further away without being intrusive or even the subject knowing. This lens also works great for tighter portrait as it compresses the image. I also love shooting subjects in a bigger environment with it because it gives the scene a dreamy feeling. I’ll also shoot some fashion images with it to compress the background and really put the focus on the subject and clothes.

2014 Pencils of Promise Ghana 200th

2013 Zach & Kelly: Montauk Love

Overall, I experiment and use these lenses interchangeably. I try each of them out in different situations to see what makes the most sense.

What lenses are in your arsenal?

3/25/14

These 4 Lenses Make My Perfect Arsenal

infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT

masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding 

GET THE DETAILS

GET THE DETAILS

infuse your vision with a fresh breath of  creativity and vitality

LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE

CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION

About the Blogger

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio.

I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here. 

NICK'S STORY

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio.

NICK'S STORY

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