Mr. Jorrocks' Lecture

Surtees' famous grocer - Mr Jorrocks - delivered lectures to the Handley Cross Hunt on occasions. He was fueled by brandy and water and a love of fox-hunting, and however you may feel about either brandy or foxes, he did have a good bit of advice for young photographers.

These may be likened to the young sportsmen that Mr. Jorrocks was addressing - novices who might find themselves lost when approaching either sport or art. It is not likely that the new photographer will be pitched head over heels into a ditch or be roared off the field by and irate M.F.H. but one thing Jorrocks said is gold.

" Make sure you can ride one horse before you keep two."

Too often new photographers who have just learned to find the shutter button get a few images in hand or on-screen, and then read a week's worth of internet reviews and rumours - and charge in wanting to exchange the humble kit lens for the fanciest glass the manufacturers make. If their purse is strong enough to do it they charge out again expecting to produce eternal masterpieces at every street corner. Horses can produce things at street corners but it generally ain't considered to be eternal masterpieces...

The kit lens is a kit lens for a reason - it is a good estimation by the manufacturer of a standard lens for the camera for standard operation - by a standard photographer. The trick for the novice is to keep on working with that lens until they can come up to that standard - the results will be very good indeed.

If you do not have a kit lens...get one. I suggest an 18-55 or a 35 prime for the APSC sensor people and a 50 prime for the full-frame users. Use it for all it, and you, are worth. Do not underestimate the resolving power or the colour rendition and do not be put off by the snobbery of those who might consider themselves more advanced. Keep your eyes open and don't over-ride the hounds.