Originally Posted by
Sdison
Get the 50mm 1.8 - it's the cheapest lens they make for a Nikon this side of the kit lenses.
35mm isn't wide enough for landscapes - I've tried and it sucks. I can never fit everything I want in the frame. 18mm will do you fine until you start lusting after an ultra-wide angle lens, which will set you back at least $400 or so, depending on what you choose to get.
The 50mm, on the other hand, will work well for portraits and allow you to have a much shallower depth of field to give the portrait look you're after. Considering that the kit lens will only go as wide as f5.6 or so at 50mm, this will be a much better investment. It'll also allow you to shoot in low light, something that is pretty difficult with the kit 18-55.