Using the right focal length is essential, and the 35mm lens has always been especially popular for its balanced framing and natural look. Understanding how to effectively compose your shots with this lens can significantly improve your photos by capturing scenes authentically and creatively.
Coming to you from Martin Castein, this informative video explores practical compositional techniques specifically suited for a 35mm lens on a full frame camera. Castein first demonstrates shooting from a lower angle, a technique frequently employed in fashion photography to convey strength and confidence. When you lower your camera position slightly below waist height, the resulting image can enhance the subject's dominance and clean up distracting background elements. This low-angle approach not only emphasizes clothing effectively but also simplifies busy environments by using the sky or building tops as cleaner backgrounds. Castein suggests experimenting with slight variations in angle, emphasizing how subtle adjustments can transform an ordinary photograph into something strikingly powerful.
Castein also emphasizes the importance of shooting at eye level, a technique that brings authenticity and intimacy to your portraits. Unlike a lower angle, shooting at eye level keeps vertical lines straighter and creates a natural feel, drawing viewers into a more personal interaction with the subject. This perspective doesn't just visually represent the subject accurately—it invites a conversational atmosphere within the photograph, making your images feel relatable and true-to-life. Eye-level composition particularly shines with the 35mm focal length, offering a perfect balance of subject prominence and environmental context, helping you tell richer stories without overwhelming the viewer.
One more effective technique Castein covers is centered composition. While traditional photographic rules often recommend placing subjects off-center, a centered approach with a 35mm lens can deliver unexpectedly strong visual balance and clarity. This method helps simplify the scene by reducing clutter, especially in urban portraits or busy settings where lower parts of the frame can become visually distracting. Additionally, Castein demonstrates the effectiveness of shooting closer and slightly tilting downwards toward your subject. This method makes portraits feel softer and emotionally engaging, particularly useful for capturing vulnerability or approachability. Such nuanced control of perspective and proximity uniquely complements the 35mm lens, enabling subtle yet impactful photographic storytelling.
Throughout the video, Castein underscores the need for careful framing and mindful composition with the 35mm focal length. Given its wide angle, unintended elements can easily enter your frame, potentially distracting from your subject. Simple shifts in position—sometimes just a single step—can significantly improve your composition by clearing unnecessary background details. This attentiveness to detail is crucial when working within the 35mm's field of view, ensuring each element in the frame contributes positively to your overall visual narrative. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Castein.
