This has always been a game of the mind trying to figure out which is the best length to shoot your portrait with. However, when it comes to portrait photography, the most crucial decision is to decide the focal length which will bear the significant consequences on the outcome of your subject.
As a professional portrait photographer you already know the intricacy, but If you are new to portrait photography and wondering about the relationship between focal length and the final image, check out this insighting video tutorial that will show you portraits shot between 25mm and 135mm and how they differ from each other.
Coming to you from John Gress, this awesome video tutorial will show you how different focal lengths will render your subjects in varying ways.
The generally acceptable wider focal lengths exaggerate features, while longer focal lengths tend to compress them. This is why 85mm lenses are often revered as the best choice for portraiture, as they strike a nice balance between the two extremes, offering enough compression to be flattering, but still has a way of maintaining a short enough focal length to help show the facial geometry that makes every person unique. That being said, you may find you prefer a different focal length, and more importantly, you may find different choices are appropriate for different individuals. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
