Newbie to lenses

[AlysiaJ]

So I'm relatively new to the world of photography, especially lenses. I have a Nikon D40x and I'm looking to get a new lens in addition to the one it came with. I've tried to do some research on lens types, and what I've come up with is that I'm most interested in either a macro lens, telephoto lens, or wide-angle lens (basically every type...)
From what I read, it seems like macro lenses are capable of focusing on subjects that are really close, telephoto lenses have minimal perspective distortion and blur the background (ideal for portraits) and wide-angle lenses produce images that seem to bend or wrap around the subject(bad definition, I know, but it's the only way I can think of to describe it)
Am I missing anything here?
Also, if I'm interested in doing some up close portraits and portraits with a lot of movement (see links below for examples), what type of lens should I be looking for? Thanks in advance!!!

Examples:
http://frixin.deviantart.com/art/Trice-42274219
http://egoistical.deviantart.com/art/key-to-my-heart-65499479
http://mystic-scream.deviantart.com/art/I-hear-in-my-mind-64998722
http://starfxckerxxx.deviantart.com/art/Biography-64797577
http://fyrefly86.deviantart.com/art/lash-66031480
http://evolutionsky.deviantart.com/art/of-the-tiger-66085175
http://eanna.deviantart.com/art/Hope-66717085
http://valentinb.deviantart.com/art/Les-marques-du-temps-65871367
http://iamkatia.deviantart.com/art/rachel-16933738
http://sifu.deviantart.com/art/Hair-37971847
http://nuckstudio.deviantart.com/art/Hair-Land-III-64168221

 

[Patrice]

I've looked at all of the links you included. That site shows a lot of images from young photographers doing interesting work that redefine the rules of 'portraiture'. Nearly all of the images you have linked too can be done with the kit lens you have. Lighting, composition and loads of imagination is the key here, not any special cameras or lenses. Look at often quoted 'strobist' site, get a flash you can use off camera (does not need to be expensive) and then bug every one of your friends to pose for you. Experiment and have fun with it.

 

[soylentgreen]

Though you can set up similar shots with the stock lens, to get those really sharp close-ups and smooth DOF a larger aperature lens was probably utilized. Somewhere in the neighborhood of a f/2.8 or faster. 50mm f/1.8 are a good addition to any kit and has many varying uses. You can go the dedicated macro lens route but they will be a bit more costly. But the trade up is in image quality and closer working distance.