A 35mm prime lens is all you need for travel photography

Before my recent trip to Iceland, I was a bit paralysed thinking about what gear I needed wanted to take with me. In the end, I took two camera bodies (a great decision!), 15/35/50mm primes, and a 70-200mm telephoto. Plus a tripod, gorilla pod, filters…yep, I took it all. And I was subsequently weighed down by all the gear. But could I have been just as happy with less gear?

In this video, photographer James Reader discusses his ideas about travelling light only taking a 35mm lens for travel photography, and making it work. Let’s look at why James thinks that a 35mm could be all you’ll need.

Versatility and field of view

The 35mm focal length strikes a balance between wide and natural perspectives, making it perfect for capturing scenes and ambience. It definitely hits the sweet spot between ‘wide enough’ and ‘not too wide’ and is excellent for street photography, landscapes, portraits and everything in between. It provides enough reach to exclude unwanted elements while being wide enough to encompass tight spaces, such as the alleyways of Santorini, Greece, as James shows us.

This focal length ensures you never feel limited in framing your shots. Some 35mm lenses even have a decent macro capability which is an added bonus, and there’s relatively little distortion compared with say a 24mm focal length.

Creative Control with a wide aperture

A 35mm prime lens often has a wide aperture like f/1.4 or f/1.8, allowing for beautiful background and foreground blur. This helps to emphasize specific subjects while still maintaining a sense of the scene. For example, using selective focus can enhance compositions, such as framing flowers in the foreground while keeping the background slightly blurred. It’s also great for low-light photography, meaning that you’ll be able to capture more of your trip without needing to resort to a tripod.

Lightweight and travel-friendly

Most 35mm primes are compact and lightweight, which makes them convenient for travel. Carrying a smaller setup is of course less tiring, and encourages more frequent shooting. Unlike bulkier zoom lenses, a 35mm prime is easy to manage, even during long explorations. Carrying less gear will also make you less of a target for thieves, always a good thing.

Enhances creativity

I don’t know about you, but using a prime lens almost forces me to be more creative over a zoom. This is one of the things I love about primes. It requires you to compose more thoughtfully since you can’t rely on zooming in or out; you have to zoom with your feet. This limitation pushes you to engage more with the environment, analyze the scene, and craft deliberate compositions. It’s a rewarding experience, says James that can reignite your passion for photography if things are getting stale.

While a 35mm lens may lack the versatility of a zoom lens, it compensates with its lightweight design and creative potential. After a week in Greece with only a 35mm lens, James confirms that it helped foster creativity and delivered stunning results.

So, next time you’re packing for a trip, consider that less may be more, and try just bringing along a 35mm prime lens. Whether you’re capturing expansive landscapes, vibrant street scenes, or intimate portraits, this lens is a reliable and rewarding companion.