Best focal length for portrait in photography

[PhotographerR]

Hello photographers ,

i was checking some posts about photography , and i saw something strange , and i want to ask about it.

while i was reading this post ( link removed ) , i saw that the best focal length to take portraits is 85-100 , is that true , and if it was true , why is that ?


Thanks alot

[Sonny]

This might help

YouTube - ‪Digital Photography One on One: Episode 62: Choosing the Right Lens‬‏

YouTube - ‪Digital Photography One on One: Episode 62: Choosing the Right Lens‬‏

[auddii]

Wow Sonny, incredibly helpful!

[Abel]

great video... but original post is a SPAMMER from Kuwait.

I'll leave the thread up but will ban his account and remove the url he linked.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Abel

great video... but original post is a SPAMMER from Kuwait.

I'll leave the thread up but will ban his account and remove the url he linked.

UGH! Epic Mod FAIL on my part!!!!!!

[auddii]

Well, at least the spammer asked a logical and helpful question :)

[Sonny]

I need more sleep.

I just realized "he" spell his own name wrong.

[Village Idiot]

For the sake of discussion...

Longer focal lengths starting at around 70mm are considered the norm for standard portraitr photography because the lack of distortion.

However, a photographer shouldn't be limited to "the norm". I like shooting portrait photography with my 17-40 on a FF camera. I use the distortion and the lighting to create a certain style that differs from the 10 photographers that will only use an 85mm prime for portraits.

If you want to stand out and make a name for yourself, it's often better to experiment with ideas and tools that you normally wouldn't use for that specific job.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

For the sake of discussion...

Longer focal lengths starting at around 70mm are considered the norm for standard portraitr photography because the lack of distortion.

However, a photographer shouldn't be limited to "the norm". I like shooting portrait photography with my 17-40 on a FF camera. I use the distortion and the lighting to create a certain style that differs from the 10 photographers that will only use an 85mm prime for portraits.

If you want to stand out and make a name for yourself, it's often better to experiment with ideas and tools that you normally wouldn't use for that specific job.

There you go. Every focal length and every lens design ever made has been used to make nice portraits. It's all in how you use them.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by Sonny

UGH! Epic Mod FAIL on my part!!!!!!

You lived up to your title today, Mr. Nice Mod.

[Sonny]

Thanks for making me feel better Nathan.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by venchka

There you go. Every focal length and every lens design ever made has been used to make nice portraits. It's all in how you use them.

yes, and if you use your 20mm to take an upclose and candid pic of your wife while she is sweating and has no makeup on, you may get to wear that 20mm lens creatively until the proctologist can remove it....

[ChrisTX]

One of my favorite candid portraits I shot with a 10-20 @10mm. Like said, nothing wrong with being different.

[The Philos]

I want a 300mm f/4 to shoot portraits.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by ThePhilosopher

I want a 300mm f/4 to shoot portraits.

I want a studio big enough to allow that!