Understanding Focal Length - How Different Camera Lenses Will Affect Your Portraits

Understand the focal length: Different focal lengths in portrait photography can affect the composition and perspective of the subject. Shorter focal lengths widen the view, while longer focal lengths compress the image. Choose the focal length based on the desired look and feel of the portrait.
What this tutorial covers:
👁️ Focal length choices for portrait photography vary based on format, with 85mm being ideal for 35mm and 100-150mm for medium format.
📸 Demonstrating the distortion effects of various focal lengths on a human subject.
🔄 Changing focal lengths alters facial features, even with consistent camera-subject distance.
🤔 Comparison of distortion levels between 16mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, and 200mm lenses.
📷 Explanation of depth of field changes with different focal lengths, affecting perspective and facial features.
🌄 Long telephoto lenses magnify subjects and reduce depth of field, while wide-angle lenses offer a larger depth of field.
🏞️ The choice of focal length depends on the type of photography, with longer focal lengths suitable for wildlife or sports, and wide-angle lenses preferred for landscapes.

[@andymandc]

For those that use crop sensors, would we want to consider the FF equivalent focal length when deciding a lens for portraiture? (i.e. I'd use my 56mm to get 84mm FFEQ, which is right in the apparent sweet spot). Am I thinking correctly?

[@eric-vi6gw]

Good editing. letting the viewer see the photo change in real time after the shutter. Good video.

[@mohammadvarzideh780]

Clear and understandable description . Thanks carl

[@Jwitherow1964]

Carl your hardcore live your work ethic thank you

[@iphoneography]

Thankyou for your videos, as a newbie to DSLR photography, I'm rather enjoying your content. I'm starting out on a 1100D, looking at buying a a 70D or 80D in a few months.

[@Korean_MCG]

Thanks for the video and explanation. Straight to the point and no BS. I'm assuming this is full frame, and if I'm using APS-C, I should make the conversion, right?

[@lelouchlamperouge5910]

Yes, since apsc is cropped you naturally will shoot from farther away with the same focal length, so the convertion is necessary.

[@rolisaenz]

THANKS Karl! it is so nice explained, love the focal length graph at the end.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you liked it!

[@atogweoghieaga2205]

I see that there is no significant difference between 85, 100, 110, 135 & 200 mm, although there might be considerable change in bokeh also taking into consideration aperture size.
This reveals that 70-200 is the most versatile lens of choice for portrait work, that is, if you are not a prime purist!
Thanks for another educational video with depth. Thanks for always teaching us! I should subscribe to your courses soon, there’s no better way to support the channel

[@EdgarWallaceJr]

Thanks for making this informative video on Focal Lengths. Do you have any lens or other suggestions for the following scenario? I often video tape (shoulders or mid chest) and up in small room with a max subject distance of 5ft using an iPhone 14Pro Max. I'm considering the Sony A7 IV with Sigma 24mm-70mm f2.4. Thanks for your time.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi, well it will be the 70mm end of your lens but I would prefer around 85mm if you have the space.

[@EdgarWallaceJr]

@@VisualEducationStudio Thanks for the reply.

[@josephchan4198]

I am glad if you study hard you can get good pictures on 35mm camera on products /portraiture if it web use only and some prints. Thanks for the training on website and sample here.

[@trackmedixuk]

Amazing demonstration

[@mchris65]

Very interesting, and explains why my various headshots from different photographers look so different. This might be a stupid question but is the device taking this video distorting the images at all?

[@learningisfun4332]

thank you so much for this

[@josephchan4198]

Awesome refresh course.

[@satenderprakash8873]

Hi...Which one lens your favorite

[@rb3537]

All we needed was some numbers on the bottom and this could have been Ben’s mugshots!!😂😂

[@pallafox]

i was thinking the same. he looks so confused! lmao good sport

[@gameragout2693]

Thank you master karl.

[@vynettecleckley1058]

What type of eyelight catcher did you use?

[@mordavian]

First comment and first like. Very interesting results. I mostly prefer 85mm, 100mm. Thank you Karl.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Much appreciated @mordavian, thank you for commenting :)

[@normtesch1126]

can you do same video only doing full body...and also do medium format

[@easyweb3056]

What camera are you using in the video?

[@JonesCrimson]

Somebody should make a chart for ideal distances and focal lengths to minimize subject distortion.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi, yes but it depends on the subject, for example landscapes don't matter in fact the distortion can help them become more dramatic. It's really only people and products so around 80-100mm is good for those.

[@TCImagery]

What about a crop sensor body?

[@jenc1276]

Stephanie: “I can avoid moving for the entire test!”

[@mhmdzx7766]

❤❤

[@winni223]

Stephanie: modeling career interrupted.😢

[@macbaar6073]

👍👍👍

[@musingsofrock]

Is this actually true? lol.. It's looks like two different people. How could the 16mm distort that much? So don't use 16mm at all?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes it's true and best not to use 16mm this close for portraits.

Stiffany 😂

[@darkphotographer]

funny thing , often women think they look better when they shoot selfi with phone ,, they got so use to see them selfs with wild angle shoot from above , at arms length than when you shoot them with 85 or 105mm they think they look bad or fat , a couple of meters away , and show them the photo on 32" they are like ,, yeah i look better on my iphone , look at the photo i make ,on that small 5" screan ,,,

[@ME2K23]

She's called "Stiff-a-knee" ? She looks stiff indeed 😉