Lens for head shots.

shrimperblue

shrimperblue

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Dave
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Hi,

I want to take a shot of a models face/head like a cover shot. Its outdoors but im not sure what lens is best to go for. I want to do this a bit more often so im thinking of investing in the right one.

What is your advice?

Thx

SB
 
50mm f/1.4 would be my recommendation.

50mm focal length will give you minimal distortion and is ideal framing for a headshot using your 400D.

If you want to get a little further back, consider the 85mm f/1.8.

Both are very reasonable and similar in cost :thumbs:
 
I found the 50 f/1.8 to produce some odd casting. The Canon 60mm macro though is superb for both portrait and close Macro work IMO.
 
I just use the kit lens at 50-55mm! Will invest in a 50mm once I have bought a few other bits.
 
ill second the 60mm superb quality
 
The 60mm is a great lens - no argument from me on that. Its max ap of f/2.8 can be limiting in DOF though
 
So if I wanted to capture a model but I wanted to highlight the length of her her legs, would a 60mm allow me to do that too? I know its about your position and the angle etc but on performance and perspective?
 
shrimperblue said:
So if I wanted to capture a model but I wanted to highlight the length of her her legs, would a 60mm allow me to do that too? I know its about your position and the angle etc but on performance and perspective?
Click to expand...

Not really - over 50mm (noticeably over 70mm) you get compression. Below 50mm (more so at 35mm) you get exageration
 
If you used a 28mm you would get some odd results, it's all about relative position to the model and angle of shot. You should find something around the 50-60mm range is perfect for all your portraiture needs.

To fill the frame with her face move closer, to add more to the frame move further away.
 
You'd exagerate their form and create distance between them and the background - not make them seem closer.

Not really sure what you're looking to achieve here...... any more detail that would help?
 
Well iv'e got a session with a model planned as practice for my diploma. They want the look to be arty and the length of the legs exaggerated. I am struggling to decide what kit to use.
 
what pose are you thinking of - stood upright or reclined?

If you opted for the reclined pose, you would need to have the feet nearest you with model 45 degree angle or so away from the lens.

But either upright or reclined you wouldn't want anything over 50mm imho
 
Walking.

It threw me a bit as to capture the length of the legs while walking is weird. I, like you, thought of the reclined pose. But its not an option :(
 
Telephoto lenses have the affect of distorting perspective and compressing distance. A good example is those shots you see of traffic literally stacked up on each other on American freeways. Done deliberately for effect with long lenses of course, but there's far more room between individual vehicles in reality. Using too long a lens for portrait causes a flattening of the face.

Wide angle lenses also distort distance and perspective but have the opposite effect by seeming to increase distance. Photographing the living room of your average 2 up 2 down with a wide angle lens will make it look like a baronial hall and it's very frowned on now if it gives a misleading impression of properties on the market. Using a wide angle lens to photograph people needs a great deal of care, as the closer you get the more it distorts faces. Carried to it's logical conclusion it results in those comic shots where people have moved their faces right up the the lens and end up looking like Roland Rat.
 
There's no easy answer really because it depends a lot on the distance you'll be working at. Ideally probably something around 80mm will give natural looking shots without intimidating your subjects by shoving the camera virtually up their nose for portraits which can be a problem with the 50mm. Full length shots and the 50mm, would probably be OK giving a more comfortable working distance.
 
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