Using an 85mm and a 35mm for Portrait Photography: A Comprehensive Guide
Portrait photography is a popular genre in photography, and it requires a lot of skills and the right tools to get it right. Choosing the right lens for portrait photography is crucial to creating images that are sharp, detailed, and beautiful.
Introduction
Portrait photography is all about capturing the essence of a person, their personality, and their character. It requires the photographer to create a connection with the subject to bring out their best. Choosing the right lens for portrait photography is crucial to create images that are sharp, detailed, and beautiful. In this guide, we will explore two lenses that are widely used in portrait photography: the 85mm and the 35mm lenses.
What is an 85mm lens?
An 85mm lens is a medium telephoto lens that is commonly used in portrait photography. It is a popular lens among photographers because of its ability to create a shallow depth of field, which is perfect for isolating the subject from the background. The 85mm lens is also known for its flattering compression effect, which makes the subject's face look slimmer and more attractive.
Advantages of using an 85mm lens for portrait photography
Ability to create a shallow depth of field
One of the advantages of using an 85mm lens for portrait photography is its ability to create a shallow depth of field. This means that the subject will be in sharp focus, while the background will be blurred, creating a beautiful bokeh effect.
Flattering compression effect
The 85mm lens is also known for its flattering compression effect. This means that the subject's face will look slimmer and more attractive when photographed with an 85mm lens.
Great for environmental portraits
The 85mm lens is also great for environmental portraits. This means that the subject is photographed in their environment, such as their home, workplace, or a location that is meaningful to them.
What is a 35mm lens?
A 35mm lens is a wide-angle lens that is commonly used in portrait photography. It is a popular lens among photographers because of its wider field of view, which allows the photographer to capture more of the subject's surroundings. The 35mm lens is also ideal for street and lifestyle portraits.
Advantages of using a 35mm lens for portrait photography
Wider field of view
One of the advantages of using a 35mm lens for portrait photography is its wider field of view. This means that the photographer can capture more of the subject's surroundings, which can add context and interest to the image.
Ability to capture more of the subject's surroundings
The 35mm lens is also great for capturing more of the subject's surroundings, which can add context and interest to the image.
Ideal for street and lifestyle portraits
The 35mm lens is also ideal for street and lifestyle portraits. This means that the subject is photographed in a natural or candid setting, such as on the street or in a café.
Comparison of the two lenses
Differences in focal length
The main difference between the two lenses is their focal length. The 85mm lens is a medium telephoto lens, while the 35mm lens is a wide-angle lens. This means that the 85mm lens is better suited for headshots and portraits where the subject is the main focus of the image, while the 35mm lens is better suited for environmental portraits and lifestyle photography.
Effects on perspective and distortion
Another difference between the two lenses is their effect on perspective and distortion. The 85mm lens has a flattering compression effect, which makes the subject's face look slimmer and more attractive. The 35mm lens, on the other hand, can create distortion if the subject is too close to the camera or if the lens is used incorrectly.
Choosing the right lens for the situation
Choosing the right lens for the situation is crucial to creating beautiful portraits. If you are photographing a headshot or a portrait where the subject is the main focus of the image, the 85mm lens is the best choice. If you are photographing an environmental portrait or a lifestyle portrait, the 35mm lens is the best choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right lens for portrait photography is crucial to creating images that are sharp, detailed, and beautiful. The 85mm and the 35mm lenses are both great choices for portrait photography, but you need to choose the right lens for the situation. If you are photographing a headshot or a portrait where the subject is the main focus of the image, the 85mm lens is the best choice. If you are photographing an environmental portrait or a lifestyle portrait, the 35mm lens is the best choice.
