Best Focal Length for Portraits
Knowing the best focal length for shooting portrait isn’t as easy as it may sound. Different focal lengths give very different results, some more flattering then others. In this video I take the same head shot at several focal lengths and compare the results.
Traditionally a 50mm lens (on a full frame camera) has been considered the closest to the human eye but generally I prefer headshots with 70mm or more.
As you can see in the comparisons above, zooming in (and therefore stepping back from the model) has a few benefits. The longer focal lengths give even tighter crops on the background and stepping back compresses the facial features. Of course there’s plenty of scope for creative portraits when shooting head shots with a wide angle lens but for most photographers, longer focal lengths are better.
Gavin,
I’ve been a long time follower of your page and absolutely love your work. Wish I could go to your workshops but I’m across the ocean. I have a dilemma maybe you could help with. I currently use Fuji mirrorless but the lack of IBIS makes some of my photos blurry and I hit the flash sync speed ceiling with some of them as well. What made you choose Micro 4/3? Do you ever miss FF depth of field and subject isolation? Have you ever tried Fuji? Sorry for all the questions!!
Every lens has it’s pro’s and con’s 85mm is a very good portrait lens I still use my 24-70 however in a larger studio works nicely, with the right setup.
great video Gav.
Hi Gavin,
As a small studio owner (converted double garage) myself, your videos have recently become addictive viewing, so thank you for sharing your expertise. With regards to portraits, I have to say that I have also found the 85mm, f/1.8 lens just about bang on when using my Canon 5d mk2 and 6d cameras, despite having also used 50mm , 24-70mm and 70-200mm glass. As you say though, lens choice will never be an exact science and that’s what makes photography so exciting and challenging in my eyes.