How do you choose the right lens for portrait photography, and how does your choice of focal length influence the look and feel of the final image?

Choosing the right lens for portrait photography is crucial, as it significantly impacts the look and feel of the final image. Here's a breakdown of how to select the right lens and the role focal length plays:

1. Understanding Focal Lengths and Their Effects

• Wide-angle lenses (14–35mm): These lenses can create a dramatic perspective with a broader field of view. However, they often distort facial features, making them less ideal for traditional portraits. Wide angles are better for environmental portraits where the surroundings play a key role in the story.
• Standard lenses (35–70mm): Lenses in this range offer a natural perspective similar to what the human eye sees. A 50mm lens, for instance, is versatile and great for full-body or environmental portraits while maintaining a realistic look without distortion.
• Short telephoto lenses (70–135mm): Often considered the "sweet spot" for portraits, these lenses produce flattering compression of facial features and a shallower depth of field, ideal for isolating the subject against a creamy, blurred background. Common examples include the 85mm and 105mm lenses.
• Telephoto lenses (135mm and above): These lenses compress the background even more, giving a dreamy, flattering effect. They are excellent for tightly framed headshots or creating significant background separation.

2. Consider Aperture

• Wide apertures (f/1.2 – f/2.8): Look for lenses with wide apertures to achieve a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and draws attention to the subject. Prime lenses (e.g., 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8) are particularly popular for this.

3. Portrait Styles and Lens Choices

• Headshots: Use 85mm–135mm lenses to ensure flattering proportions and enough background compression to isolate the subject.
• Half-body portraits: A 50mm–85mm lens works well, providing a balance of subject detail and background inclusion.
• Full-body portraits: A 35mm–50mm lens allows you to include more of the environment while avoiding distortion.

4. Impact of Focal Length on Composition

• Background Compression: Longer focal lengths compress the background, making it appear closer and more blurred, which creates a more professional, polished look.
• Subject Isolation: Telephoto lenses naturally isolate the subject by reducing the depth of field.
• Perspective Distortion: Wide-angle lenses exaggerate features (like making a nose appear larger), while telephoto lenses flatter by compressing facial features.

5. Practical Considerations

• Space: If you're shooting in a tight space, a 50mm or 85mm lens might work better than a 135mm lens.
• Portability: Prime lenses are often lighter and more compact compared to zoom lenses with equivalent apertures.
• Budget: Fixed focal length (prime) lenses often offer better image quality and wider apertures at a lower price compared to zooms.

My Recommendation for most portrait photographers:

• Start with a 50mm f/1.8 lens for versatility and affordability.
• Invest in an 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 for traditional, flattering portraits.
• If you prefer environmental or editorial-style portraits, consider a 35mm f/1.4 or f/1.8.

The focal length and lens choice should align with your creative vision, shooting environment, and the story you want your image to tell.

When picking a lens for portrait photography, the focal length really sets the tone. Lenses between 85mm and 135mm are favorites because they create a flattering, natural look without distorting the subject’s features. The 85mm lens is great for sharp, clear portraits, while 135mm helps you get even more background blur, making your subject pop.

A 50mm lens is also a solid choice for portraits, especially if you're shooting in tight spaces, though it can cause some slight distortion if you're too close. Using a wide aperture (like f/1.4 or f/1.8) lets you blur the background and keep the focus on your subject, while a smaller aperture helps keep more of the scene in focus.

Longer lenses like 85mm and 135mm also help with background compression, making your subject stand out more by making the background appear closer. Shorter lenses, like 35mm, can distort features but are useful if you want to include the environment around the person.

For simplicity, prime lenses (like 50mm or 85mm) are great for sharp, beautiful portraits, while zoom lenses give you flexibility but may not offer the same level of detail. Ultimately, the lens you choose depends on the mood and style you're going for.

When choosing the right lens for portrait photography, I consider two main factors: how much of the background I want to include and how close I want to be to my subject. These choices directly influence the atmosphere and feel of the image.

I typically avoid lenses narrower than 80mm, as this would place me too far from the subject, making it harder to interact effectively. My go-to lens is the 50mm, which strikes a perfect balance between proximity and a natural perspective. Occasionally, I opt for a 35mm lens, especially for male portraits, as it can provide a slightly more dynamic look without distorting facial features.

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that clients today tend to select more images taken with wider angle lenses compared to, say, 10 years ago. I believe this shift is influenced by the growing popularity of smartphone cameras, which feature wider focal lengths as they evolve. People have become more accustomed to these perspectives, and it reflects in their preferences when choosing portraits.