What Lenses To Use for Portrait Photography and Why

The quality of a portrait depends on the lens used. On one hand, Very short lenses will distort facial features and offer a lot of unnecessary background information to the viewers. On the other, the long lens will create an illusion of a flat subject due to the visual compression aspect.  As such, it is critical to find the best lens size for the photography.

The Ideal Lens

The best range for lens size is 75-135 mm since it will naturally show your subject. Even so, you should be considerate of the ability of a lens to manipulate the quality of an image. You can use de-focus control function to get quality in areas that may seem to be out of focus. The lens should have wide apertures to help you select your focus carefully.

Remarkably, the personal tastes, needs and preferences play a great role in determining the right lenses. While some portraits may look perfect for a photographer, a viewer may reject it based on a range of needs and preferences. Still, the camera model matters a lot. Some of the cameras are capable of multiplying the focal length. As such, you may not require a 75-135 mm lens but rather a smaller size. You can, for instance, use a 50 mm lens and still get good portrait shots.

Beyond Portrait Photography

It is vital that you choose a lens that can handle a wide range of photography demands. Whereas it is wise to go for a lens that is optimized for portraits, it is also good to consider the fact that you may have clients who want other types of photography. It should specifically be able to zoom out to at least 300 mm so that you can take other shots. Moreover, you may have to choose between lenses that rotate when zooming or trying to focus and those that don’t. When it comes to portrait shooting, a lens that does not rotate is good since the set is not changed as you try to focus.

Even further, it is wise to ensure that the speed of the lens is good. It should also be able to repel dust, grease, and water among other things. This way, you will be able to use the lens for a long time. Other issues to consider are the ability of a lens to switch from an autofocus to the manual focus, the portability and the costs.

The Bottom Line

Clearly, there are many aspects worth considering when looking for lenses for portrait photography. Defining your needs, preferences and understanding what the viewer is seeking for is crucial in this regard.