When it comes to portrait photography, one of the most important choices you can make is the focal length you use, as it will have significant consequences on the way your subject is rendered. If you are new to portrait photography and wondering about the relationship between focal length and the final image, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you portraits shot between 25mm and 135mm and how they differ from each other.
Coming to you from John Gress, this awesome video tutorial will show you how different focal lengths will render your subjects in varying ways. The tradeoff is generally that wider focal lengths exaggerate features, while longer focal lengths tend to compress them. This is why 85mm lenses are often revered as the classic choice for portraiture, as they strike a nice balance between the two extremes, offering enough compression to be flattering, but still retaining a short enough focal length to help show the facial geometry that makes every person unique. That being said, you may find you prefer a different focal length, and more importantly, you may find different choices are appropriate for different clients. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
Personally I wouldn't use anything shorter then 200mm for a headshot. My personal rule of thumb is use as long a lens as you have room for. For example, I use my 400 2.8 for portraiture first, birds second. I love the compression of longer lenses. I will often us a 135 2.0 for full body shots.
I also use my 28 1.4 quite a bit for editorial shots.
Indoors I have to compromise of course.
Im definitely going to try that. 400mm is just eating dust anyway
It really brings distant background objects close. Some of the results are spectacular.
Never heard of that technique...what ever works!
That's right. I have been using a 105mm for a long time and then tried the 200. It looked so much better that I then experimented with 300 and 400. After comparing the results I mostly use nothing less than 200mm. But then, there are situations where different focal lengths might do better....na, just kidding.
Outdoors I use my Tamron 70-200mm(f2.8). Indoors I use my Nikon 85mm(1.8).
oy.....lenses DO NOT EXPAND OR CONTRACT anything... it is perspective is solely determined by distance... distance of camera to subject and subject to background
My only regret is that I have only one thumbs up to give to your post. Distance is for perspective; focal length is for framing.
Not that I disagree with the principles of this — but it's more you notice how the longer focal lengths really strip out any sense of immediacy or 'presence.' they make 'prettier' pictures but not necessarily more impactful ones.
I like using my 28 1.4 for this.
for me 135mm is the perfect lens for portraits