In the world of portrait photography, choosing the right focal length of a lens is one of the key factors in creating a successful work. Different focal lengths not only affect the perspective effect and spatial sense of the picture, but also directly determine the relationship between the character and the background environment and the concentration of visual focus. The following will detail the characteristics and applications of the three commonly used focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm and 85mm in portrait shooting.
First, let's start with the wider 35mm focal length. With its relatively large angle of view, this focal length lens provides photographers with rich scene capture capabilities, especially suitable for shooting full-body portraits. When using a 35mm lens, the subject can be naturally integrated into the surrounding environment, creating a more vivid and story-telling picture. However, due to its wider perspective, the requirements for the background are also correspondingly higher, and it is necessary to ensure that the background is concise and not overwhelming, so as not to distract the audience from the main body of the character. Such a background choice is not only conducive to highlighting the character image, but also strengthens the character traits or situational atmosphere through environmental elements, making ** more in-depth and narrative.
Next, we turn our attention to the classic 50mm focal length. Often referred to as the "standard lens", the 50mm focal length occupies a unique position in portrait photography. It strikes a good balance between perspective and compression, without the exaggerated distortion of wide-angle lenses, and offers a wider working distance than telephoto lenses. Therefore, the 50mm lens is especially suitable for shooting bust portraits or close-ups of faces, which can delicately depict the three-dimensional structure of the face, so that the viewer seems to be able to touch the real skin texture of the person. In addition, this focal length allows the photographer to flexibly adjust the relationship between the person and the environment within a certain range, maintaining a moderate sense of distance and achieving good interaction, so that the environment becomes an important part of the storytelling of the character.
Finally, I want to mention the highly regarded "** focal length" of portrait photography - 85mm. The 85mm lens has a high reputation in the field of professional portrait photography due to its remarkable bokeh ability and accurate character portrayal. When shooting portraits with an 85mm focal length, it's easy to get a dreamy bokeh effect with a shallow depth of field, so that the subject is highlighted to the fullest extent while retaining just the right description of the environment. This feature allows the 85mm lens to highlight the subtle changes in the facial expressions of the characters when shooting portraits, while also taking into account a certain sense of spatial layering, creating vivid and highly artistic images.
To sum up, whether it is a 35mm focal length that shows the overall temperament, a 50mm focal length that depicts a delicate face, or a professional portrait with a professional focal length of 85mm, which is good at creating a romantic atmosphere, each focal length has its own unique charm and applicable occasions. Photographers should be flexible based on their intentions, site conditions, and desired artistic results, and constantly explore the potential of each focal length to achieve the best visual expression. By utilizing these different focal lengths, we can create a wide variety of portrait photographs with different characteristics, thus depicting vivid life stories in the world of light and shadow.