What's The Best Focal Length For Portrait Photography?

Curious about the best focal length for portrait photography?

Drawing from my experience in both video and photo making, I’m here to share my insights with you.

In this article, you’ll not only learn about the ideal focal length for portrait photography but also find answers to frequently asked questions.

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50mm Lens are deal for natural-looking portraits without distortion, mimicking human eye perspective, and often comes with wide apertures for shallow depth of field.
35mm Lens are suitable for environmental portraits,
85mm Lens are preferred for headshots

What Is A Focal Length

Before we dive into the best focal length for portrait photography, it’s essential to understand what focal length is and how it affects our images.

Focal length refers to the distance between the camera’s image sensor or film plane and the lens’s optical center.

It is measured in millimeters (mm) and determines how much of the scene you can capture (field of view) and how large your subject appears (magnification) in the frame. Focal length also affects the perspective and distortion of your subject’s facial features.

Different focal lengths have different advantages and disadvantages for portrait photography.

How Focal Length Affects Perspective and Distortion

The shorter the focal length, the wider the field of view and the closer you need to be to your subject to fill the frame.

The center of the image will appear to bulge forward, while the edges will be stretched and distorted.

This can exaggerate your subject’s nose, forehead, chin, and ears, making them look unnatural and unflattering.

The longer the focal length, the narrower the field of view and the farther you need to be from your subject to fill the frame.

The center of the image will appear to flatten, while the edges will be compressed and reduced.

This can make your subject’s face look more proportional and balanced, but also wider and less three-dimensional.

Focal Length Categories

Focal length is usually measured in millimeters (mm) and can be grouped into four main categories:

Wide-angle lenses

These have focal lengths of less than 35mm and offer a wide field of view.

They are good for capturing landscapes, architecture, interiors, and large groups of people.

However, they can also create distortion and exaggeration of the subject’s facial features, especially at the edges of the frame.

Standard lenses

These have focal lengths of 35mm to 70mm and offer a natural perspective that is similar to what the human eye sees.

They are versatile and can be used for different types of portraits, from environmental to headshots.

These lenses produce minimal distortion and give a realistic representation of the subject.

Telephoto lenses

These have focal lengths of 70mm or more and offer a narrow field of view.

They are good for isolating the subject from the background, creating a shallow depth of field, and compressing the subject’s facial features.

Telephoto lenses are ideal for headshots, half-body shots, and full-body shots. However, they require a lot of distance between the camera and the subject and can be heavy and expensive.

Fisheye lenses

These have focal lengths of less than 16mm and offer an ultra-wide field of view.

They create a circular vignette effect that wraps around the subject. They are not very common in portrait photography, except for special effects or creative purposes.

50mm Lens

When it comes to portrait photography, one focal length that is widely favored by photographers is 50mm.

The 50mm lens offers a versatile focal length that closely mimics the perspective of the human eye.

This makes it an excellent choice for capturing natural-looking portraits without distortion. 50mm lenses often have wide maximum apertures, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4. These wide apertures allow for a shallow depth of field, resulting in beautifully blurred backgrounds that draw attention to the subject.

The ability to achieve a shallow depth of field is particularly desirable in portrait photography, as it helps isolate the subject from the surroundings and creates a pleasing aesthetic.

If you own a Canon camera, here are the best lenses for portraits.

Other Focal Length Options

While 50mm is a popular choice, it’s important to note that the best focal length for portrait photography can vary depending on the photographer’s style, subject, and desired outcome.

Let’s explore some other common focal length options and their unique characteristics:

35mm

A 35mm lens offers a wider field of view compared to a 50mm lens, making it suitable for capturing environmental portraits.

Environmental portraits aim to portray the subject within their surroundings, providing context and telling a story. The wider angle of view allows photographers to include more of the background while still maintaining a natural perspective.

85mm

For flattering headshots with a narrower field of view and greater subject isolation, an 85mm lens is often the preferred choice.

This focal length helps to compress facial features, resulting in a pleasing and flattering perspective. It allows photographers to capture stunning portraits with a shallow depth of field while maintaining a comfortable shooting distance.

135mm and Beyond

Telephoto lenses with focal lengths of 135mm and beyond are commonly used for capturing intimate portraits from a distance.

These lenses allow photographers to maintain a comfortable shooting distance while still filling the frame with the subject. The longer focal length also helps to compress features, resulting in a flattering and visually appealing image.

If you’re a beginner, check out: 7 Affordable Cameras with Lens for Beginners.

How To Choose a Focal Length

Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Distance to the Subject

Think about how much space you have to work with and how close or far you want to be from your subject.

A wider focal length can help you fit more in the frame in tight spaces, while a longer focal length can help you keep a comfortable distance and avoid distortion.

Desired Perspective

Imagine the mood and style you want to convey in your portraits.

Do you want to show more of the background and context, or focus on the details and expressions of your subject? Try different focal lengths to find the one that matches your vision.

Available Light

Check the lighting conditions and the maximum aperture of your lens.

A wider maximum aperture can let more light in and help you achieve better exposure and bokeh in low-light situations. A narrower maximum aperture may require more artificial light or a higher ISO setting.

Subject’s Comfort

Pay attention to how your subject feels when you’re taking their portrait. Some people may feel more relaxed when you’re farther away, while others may feel more connected when you’re closer.

Choose a focal length that makes your subject feel comfortable and confident.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding best focal length for portrait photography:

Can I use a zoom lens for portrait photography?

Absolutely!

Zoom lenses offer versatility and the convenience of adjusting focal length on the go.

However, prime lenses are often preferred for their wider maximum apertures and overall image quality.

Do I need a full-frame camera for portrait photography?

While full-frame cameras have their advantages, such as better low-light performance and wider field of view, you can achieve excellent portrait results with crop-sensor cameras as well. et.

Can I use a wide-angle lens for portraits?

Wide-angle lenses can be used creatively for certain types of portraits, such as environmental or group shots.

However, they may cause distortion when used too closely to the subject’s face, resulting in unflattering proportions.

Are there any recommended lens brands for portrait photography?

Many reputable lens manufacturers offer excellent options for portrait photography, such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Sigma.

Final Words

I personally prefer the 50mm lens and it’s often considered the best focal length for portrait photography.

Its field of view closely resembles that of the human eye, providing a natural and compelling perspective in portraits.

When using a 50mm lens (or any lens, really) for portraits, pay close attention to your shooting distance.

While the 50mm lens is versatile, getting too close to your subject can cause slight distortion, which might not be flattering for close-up portraits.

Instead, try stepping back a bit and zooming in if needed.

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Thanks for reading! 🙏

I hope this guide helped you understand what’s the best focal length for portrait photography 🙂

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What’s The Best Focal Length For Portrait Photography?

What Is A Focal Length