The Single Focal Length Photography Challenge: Unlocking Creativity Through Limitation
Photography is often about choices, of subject, light, composition, and, crucially, equipment. Among the most defining choices a photographer makes is the focal length of their lens. The Single Focal Length Photography Challenge is a group activity designed to push photographers out of their comfort zones by restricting them to a single focal length for an entire shoot. This seemingly simple constraint opens up a world of creative possibilities and learning opportunities.
What Is the Challenge?
At its core, the challenge is straightforward: each participant draws a random focal length from a hat, with options ranging from ultra-wide 14mm to telephoto 200mm. Once assigned, the photographer must use only that focal length, or the closest available in their kit, for the duration of the shoot. The goal is to produce a portfolio of ten images that showcase their best work within this limitation. These images are then shared with the group, allowing everyone to see the diverse results achieved with focal lengths they might rarely use.
How Does It Work?
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Random Assignment:
Each focal length is written on a slip of paper and placed in a hat. Every participant draws one, ensuring a fair and unpredictable distribution of focal lengths*.
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Commitment to the Draw:
Regardless of the focal length drawn, participants must stick to it, adapting their vision and technique accordingly. If they don’t own the exact focal length, they use the closest one available in their kit.
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Time and Place:
The challenge is typically limited to a specific event, location, day, or weekend, focusing the creative effort within a defined window**.
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Portfolio Creation:
Each photographer selects ten images that best represent their work during the challenge. Commentary on their creative rationale is encouraged, adding depth to the final portfolio.
*Includes the following focal lengths in the draw: 14mm, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, 200mm (or fewer options is fine too). If the user doesn’t have the matching focal length in their kit, this doesn’t matter. Just encourage use of the nearest matching focal length.
If the user only has zoom lenses, they may benefit from adding a small piece of tape to the zoom ring for the duration of the shoot to prevent rotation and to remove the temptation to nudge the zoom a little.
**For best learning impact, constrain the event to a single location. A City CBD might be a great place to try this challenge.
Why Is This Challenge Interesting?
1. Forces Creative Problem-Solving
Photographers often rely on zoom lenses or multiple primes to adapt quickly to changing scenes. By removing this flexibility, the challenge compels participants to think more deliberately about composition, perspective, and subject placement. It’s an exercise in making the most of what you have, rather than wishing for what you don’t.
2. Reveals Hidden Potential in Gear
Many photographers own lenses that rarely see use, perhaps because they don’t fit their usual style or genre. This challenge encourages dusting off those neglected focal lengths and discovering new ways to use them. The results often surprise participants, revealing strengths and creative opportunities they hadn’t considered.
3. Encourages Genre Exploration
A wide-angle lens might push a portrait photographer to try environmental storytelling, while a telephoto could inspire a landscape shooter to focus on details and abstraction. The random assignment breaks habitual patterns and opens doors to new genres and techniques.
4. Builds Community and Shared Learning
By sharing portfolios and commentaries, participants gain insight into how others approached the same constraint. This collective reflection fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual growth, as everyone learns from each other’s successes and challenges.
5. Develops Technical Mastery
Working with a single focal length sharpens technical skills. Photographers must move their feet, anticipate framing, and adapt to the lens’s strengths and limitations. Over time, this builds a deeper understanding of lens characteristics and how they influence visual storytelling.
The Single Focal Length Photography Challenge is more than just a test of discipline, it’s a celebration of creativity through limitation. By embracing constraints, photographers can unlock new perspectives, rediscover their gear, and grow both individually and as a community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, this challenge offers a fresh way to see the world through your lens.
Shooting Tips
How can I adapt my shooting style to a focal length that feels restrictive or awkward?
Start by embracing the strengths of your assigned lens. If it’s wider than you’re used to, experiment with getting closer to your subjects and including more context in your compositions. If it’s longer, look for distant subjects, isolate details, and play with compression effects. Changing your physical position and perspective is key, move around, crouch, climb, or step back to find new angles that suit the lens.
What subjects or genres work best with this focal length, and how can I find them in my environment?
Research the typical uses for your focal length, wide angles are great for landscapes, architecture, and environmental portraits, while telephotos excel at wildlife, sports, and candid street photography. Once you know the strengths, look for opportunities in your surroundings that match. If your usual subjects don’t fit, challenge yourself to discover new ones that do.
How do I overcome the urge to switch lenses when I feel limited by my focal length?
Remind yourself that the challenge is about creative problem-solving. Instead of switching lenses, try reframing your shot, waiting for the right moment, or using compositional techniques like leading lines, framing, or layering. Accepting the limitation can lead to unexpected and rewarding results.
What technical adjustments should I make to get the best results from an unfamiliar focal length?
Each focal length has its quirks, wide angles can distort edges, telephotos may require faster shutter speeds to avoid blur. Adjust your camera settings accordingly: use smaller apertures for depth of field, stabilise your camera for longer lenses, and pay attention to focus points. Practice a few test shots and review them to spot any issues early.
How can I make my portfolio diverse and interesting when all my images are taken with the same focal length?
Focus on variety in subject matter, lighting, and composition. Try shooting at different times of day, in various locations, and with a mix of close-ups and wider scenes (as much as your lens allows). Use creative techniques like reflections, silhouettes, or motion blur to add visual interest. Challenge yourself to tell a story or capture a theme through your ten images.
