One rule about photography is that rules are made for breaking. There is, however, much to be learned from the rules themselves to help you push the envelope with your creative vision as you develop as a photographer. Understanding traditional lens choices allows you to start somewhere with reasonable results. The best lens for any portrait depends on the photographer's vision.
Wide Angle Lenses
Wide angle lenses are the special effects lenses of the portrait world. They are usually not the first choice for portraiture, as they exaggerate perspective. Look to a wide angle lens when you want an unusual result, like a funhouse mirror. Wide angle lenses are considered any lenses less than 50mm of focal length.
Normal Lenses
Normal lenses, in the 50mm to 55mm range, tend to cover a slice of view similar to the human eye. They are ideal for portrait photography when shooting in tight quarters such as an improvised home studio, or where more of the model is wanted in the frame.
Telephoto Lenses
Lens lengths from 85mm to 105mm are the best for close-up headshots indoors. These lengths introduce perspective foreshortening which flatters most faces. Outdoors, longer telephoto lengths are equally satisfactory. Any lens over 55mm in focal length is considered telephoto.
Zoom Lenses
Zoom lens choices combine flexible focal length in one package, making it easier for a photographer to change view on the fly. The zoom lens is very popular and most will have a setting within the optimal portrait ranges of about 50mm to 300mm.
One rule about photography is that rules are made for breaking. There is, however, much to be learned from the rules themselves to help you push the envelope with your creative vision as you develop as a photographer. Understanding traditional lens choices allows you to start somewhere with reasonable results. The best lens for any portrait depends on the photographer's vision.
Wide Angle Lenses
Wide angle lenses are the special effects lenses of the portrait world. They are usually not the first choice for portraiture, as they exaggerate perspective. Look to a wide angle lens when you want an unusual result, like a funhouse mirror. Wide angle lenses are considered any lenses less than 50mm of focal length.
Normal Lenses
Normal lenses, in the 50mm to 55mm range, tend to cover a slice of view similar to the human eye. They are ideal for portrait photography when shooting in tight quarters such as an improvised home studio, or where more of the model is wanted in the frame.
Telephoto Lenses
Lens lengths from 85mm to 105mm are the best for close-up headshots indoors. These lengths introduce perspective foreshortening which flatters most faces. Outdoors, longer telephoto lengths are equally satisfactory. Any lens over 55mm in focal length is considered telephoto.
Zoom Lenses
Zoom lens choices combine flexible focal length in one package, making it easier for a photographer to change view on the fly. The zoom lens is very popular and most will have a setting within the optimal portrait ranges of about 50mm to 300mm.
-=Top 10=- Recommended Portrait Lenses - Canon Digital Photography ...
photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58577Last updated: Feb 18, 2005 15 posts First post: Feb 18, 2005'Equipment Talk' section > Canon EF and EF-S Lenses ... -=Top Ten=- Recommended Portrait Lenses The second in a series of -=Top Ten ... I voted for the Tamron 28-75 ...
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digital-photography-school.com/which-lens-for-portrait-photographyHeres a quick video tutorial exploring the topic of focal length of lenses for portrait photography.
New York Times Photojournalism - Photography, Video and Visual ...
lens.blogs.nytimes.comLens is the photojournalism blog of The New York Times, presenting the finest and most interesting visual and multimedia reporting -- photographs, videos and slide shows.
The Best Canon EOS Lenses - Bob Atkins Photography
bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/best_canon_eos_lenses.htmlThe best Canon EOS lenses as selected by actual users. The listing here were compiled from over 10,000 user reports and I also provide recommendations based on my own ...
Photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography
Photography (derived from the Greek photos- for "light" and -graphos for "drawing") is the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by
The portrait lens: 50mm vs 85mm. Orange County Wedding ...
www.sebstudios.net/for-photographers/portrait-lens-50mm-85mmOrange County Wedding Photographer Los Angeles. The wedding and portrait photography of Southern California photographer Sebastian Ho.
How To Take The Best Portrait Shots With The 18-55mm Kit Lens ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV7op2qvXTII hope this video helps you out. The 18-55mm kit lens is not a portrait lens at all but if this is all you have I hope you have a better under standing of ...
What is the Best Canon Portrait Lens? - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2njV-tonjvUGet the Best Deals on Canon Lenses Here: http://amzn.to/15H6S7a What is the Best Canon Portrait Lens? In this video we discuss the basic of portrait ...
Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography
photographylife.com Cameras and LensesWhat are the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography? This question comes up so often via comments and emails from our readers, that I was first going to include it ...
Large Format Lenses for Portraits
www.largeformatphotography.info/portrait-lensesLarge Format Lenses for Portraits (2 nd ed.) 2012 Jeroen Bruggeman for largeformatphotography.info. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Here youll find reviews of lenses ...
Tiltshift photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_photographyTiltshift photography is the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras, and sometimes specifically refers to the use of tilt for selective focus ...
B&H Wedding Guide: Lens Selection for the Wedding Photographer ...
www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/buying-guides/bh-wedding...Many hobbyists reach a turning point in their craft when they decide to pursue wedding photography seriously. With the transition to pro comes the task of updating ...
Panasonic puts 43mm F1.2 portrait lens and 150mm F2.8 on lens ...
www.dpreview.com/news/2013/02/02/Panasonic-adds-42-5mm-43mm-f1-2...CP+ 2013: Panasonic has added a 42.5mm F1.2 portrait lens and 150mm F2.8 super-telephoto prime to its lens roadmap for Micro Four Thirds, for release in the near future.
The Wonderful World of Macro Lenses: Close-Up Photography
digital-photography-school.com/the-wonderful-world-of-macro-lenses...This is the final in a series of four lessons on close-up and macro photography by Andrew S Gibson, author of Up Close: A Guide to Macro & Close Up Photography.
Adorama - Photography, Digital Cameras, Lenses, Electronics -
www.adorama.comDigital Cameras Shop Used SLR Lenses Flash/Lighting Digital SLRsSame Day Shipping 'til 8PM! The best combination of quality services, vast selection, knowledgeable staff and competitive pricing. Adorama - More Than A Camera Store
Flickr: Discussing Best Portrait Lens for NIKON D7000?? in ...
www.flickr.com/groups/potrait/discuss/72157625036790392Portraiture Photography / Discuss. Current Discussion: Portrait Focal Length Latest: 2 weeks ago: Your FAVOURITE portrait =) Latest: 2 weeks ago. Latest: 2 weeks ago
Nikon's 10 Best Lenses - KenRockwell.com: Photography,
www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-best.htmThis is a list of Nikon's best lenses of all time, especially those which set new standards. For suggestions of the best lenses to get today, see:
Family portrait poses are the key ingredient to great photos
www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-portrait-poses.htmlFamily portrait poses are all about using poses and techniques in capturing the best photos. eBook on group photos also available.
Thru the Lens Photography - Durango, CO - Photographer
https://www.facebook.com/ttlphotoThru the Lens Photography, Durango, CO. 644 likes 3 talking about this 118 were here.
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G lens: "the best 85mm lens in the
nikonrumors.com/2013/01/21/nikon-af-s-85mm-f1-8g-lens-the-best-85...Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G lens: the best 85mm lens in the DxOMark database
Best Canon Lenses for Wedding Photographers Wedding
weddingdocumentary.com/for-photographers/best-canon-lenses-for...This post is my personal opinion and my recommendations for the best lenses to use for wedding photography. I have been photographing weddings for over eight years ...
DxOMark investigates lenses for the Nikon D800: Digital ...
www.dpreview.com/news/2013/03/14/dxomark-investigates-lenses-for...Digital Photography Review: All the latest digital camera reviews and digital imaging news. Lively discussion forums. Vast samples galleries and the largest database ...
