Alright, let’s talk prime lenses—and why they’ll make you a better photographer. No fluff, no overcomplicated bollocks, just my take on it straight-up.

Prime Lenses Force You to Get Involved

People love banging on about prime vs. zoom, like it’s some big philosophical debate. But here’s the deal: a prime lens forces you to work harder, that’s the bottom line. No sitting back, no zooming in from a safe distance like some nervous punter peering through a window. You’ve got to step in, get amongst it. You see a subject across the street and you take a photo with a zoom lens. You could have handed the camera to the man on the street next to you, asked him to take a photo of the same character, I’d hazard a guess his photo will be pretty much the same as the one you get.

You Build Real Human Connections

Ever had a stranger open up to you on the street? That happens when you get close. Maybe you open up a chat with an old lady, she digs out a creased-up photo of her late husband, eyes misty, voice gone soft. The act of sharing that photo with you is something that wouldnt happen unless you were in the thick of the action. I’m not talking about connecting here in some whimsical way, all hearts and roses, this is very practical. The closer in you are, the closer the connection and the more opportunity for original composition.

When you are shooting from a distance you are comfortable … when you’re comfortable you are asleep.

Now can you walk up to someone with a zoom lens and get the same proximity. Absolutely. The problem is with this is you’re giving yourself a choice. You don’t have to get in close to get the shot if you’d prefer not to. Choice in life is a wonderful thing … in the world of creativity and street photography … it’s more of a hindrance.

You Learn Faster

A prime lens teaches you discipline. Forces you to work with what you’ve got. It’s like training with a weighted vest—harder at first, but once you get it, your skills are sharper, tighter, more refined. You learn faster when you are challenged, when you have a constraint. If I ever get a little too comfortable in my photography practice… I throw a spanner in the works. Having less of a choice forces you to innovate, to think outside the box.

If everything is laid on for you … if you have infinite choice … you really don’t have anything to work with because everything is done for you.

How can you learn to iron a shirt if your mum’s always doing it for you?

Most photographers have it upside down. They think the better the camera, the more lenses they have, the more choice they have, the better they’ll be as photographers. This isn’t neccesarily the case.

Prime Lenses Help You Develop a Signature Look

Stick with a few simple disiplines, one focal length (lens) over a sustained period of time and your eye will start to lock in. Your compositions take on a certain familiarity whilst at the same time not being predictable. Your photos develop a rhythm. You will have built a signature style.

Prime Lenses Have a Distinct Look

Sharper, Crisper Images

Prime lenses are built for one focal length, meaning fewer moving parts, better optical quality. Less glass, cleaner, crisper images.

Wider Apertures = More Light, More Depth

Most primes have wide apertures (f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2), which means:

• Better low-light performance—shoot in dim conditions without cranking the ISO.

• More background blur (bokeh)—perfect for isolating subjects and creating cinematic depth if that’s your thing.

Consistency in Perspective

Sticking to one focal length means your shots have a consistent feel. Zooming in and out as a street photographer can mess with compression and perspective, make your images as a collection look scattered. With a prime, your compositions feel intentional. Immersive. Solid.

Final Thoughts

Prime lenses facilitate you bringing your personality into play. They sharpen your instincts, fast-track creative growtn and, in my experience, make you a better photographer.

The YOUTUBE flick

Check out the VIDEO below and watch me shooting POV Street Photography in Brick Lane, East London with the FUJI XT5 and the 16mm f/1.4 prime lens.

VIEW