Launching my blog theme for the month of February, I am looking at four popular focal lengths, and within them, my favourite photos taken at them. These examples are all within the realm of full frame and can come from either a zoom or a prime lens. I used Lightroom Classic to narrow down the collection of images taken at that length, on each of the digital full frame cameras I have owned over the years, rated 4 or 5 stars. It was a trip going over images that I have not looked at in some cases, in over a decade. If you’re interested, please be sure and check out my discord server and share some of your favorite 28mm images.

The Student

I was taking a class at SAIT for photography and I met the model though one of the other students. We were so passionate about photography it was not uncommon to continue to practice after class was over. I have many great shots of her, but I don’t think I ever used this one for anything. The best models just naturally fall into a pose and give more than one expression and that was the case with her.

The Favour

A simple backyard wedding I did as a favour for a friend. The 28mm focal length makes full body portraits easy. The thing to remember is how you’re holding the camera to prevent distortion of the subject. Hold it lower than eye level and avoid tilting.

The Falls

Elbow Falls, Alberta. I believe the closest waterfall in relation to Calgary, and a great location I have been back to a couple times over the years. It looks different since the flood and I’m glad to have captured it beforehand. Just like full length portraits, 28mm, is a great landscape focal length, and with this lens just requires the slightest squeak of the zoom.

The Idea

Another wedding shot, this time a Mormon one in southern Alberta. I’d like to say that this shot was my idea but it was that of the bride. The abandoned gas station, the boots, and while I don’t remember, probably the pose. This one stayed in my portfolio for a number of years.

The Abandoned

An abandoned home in rural Alberta, and while it looks like I am inside, I am shooting through the window. I’ve always been fascinated at the idea of these places. That one day someone got their things and left and never came back, and despite this left so many random things.

The Flood

This was taken during Alberta’s 100 year flood and I wasn’t going to go out and shoot, because I thought it was exploiting a terrible situation. Then I saw someone on Facebook take a pouty selfie in a flooded part of downtown (that was supposed to be off limits) and I knew that if those of us who would respect the material didn’t do it, it would be the narrative of guys like this, in it for the gram.

The windows of the Plus 15 overpass perfectly line up with the fire hydrant, which is symbolic of the situation I think. You can see all the footprints in the mud which was everywhere from being washed up before the water receded.

The Reaction

I really seems to favour ISO 400, probably because I shot so much Tri-X over the years. Truth be told with modern digital camera I could go much higher without sacrificing quality but I suppose I’m just used to it by now.

Shot in Inglewood I found this to be a neat slice of life type image, with the funny display and the funny expression from the passerby. She was likely wondering what I was shooting and then turned and exclaimed “oh!”

Tune in next Wednesday when I tackle the 40mm focal length in part two of Focal February. Be sure and join us on Discord to show us your own photos!