Dear Pros, please advise this newer pro on lenses. Thanks

What a couple of you said about lighting is interesting. Maybe I'll pick up another speedlight.

I broke out my 40mm the other day to goof around and take some selfies. Those primes really do nail the sharpness, don't they? Perhaps I'll focus more on light and less on lens.

My current lighting setup is small: 430 EX II, wireless tx and receiver, shoot-through umbrella and stand and some reflectors (large). I probably do need to work more light into the situation.

I always feel rushed when I work for others, however. I haven't learned how to set a groove and pace myself during a photoshoot.

Here's from the other night goofing around while making selfies (using a shoot-through umbrella and slightly off camera flash). This was mostly experimenting. No plastic fruit or stuffed creatures were harmed in the making of these dumb photos.

Heya,

I think you would really benefit from lighting, and modifiers. Like a nice big softbox, and two lights. One for primary, one for hair/other. I shoot through umbrella and softbox, and the softbox just wins for overall nice lighting. Umbrellas are just nice for quick portable inexpensive modifiers on the go to me. Or for really big bounces. But softboxes are just nicer I think for the kind of light they do.

Very best,