Ask most photographers, amateur and professional (paid amateur?), what lens(es) they use the most for Portrait Photography and the answer is very likely the focal lengths ranging from 70-200mm. Perhaps 50mm for environmental portraits where the background is essential for describing the subject. Wider lenses usually don't enter into the equation since one loses shallow depth-of-field, subject becomes too small within the frame, and distortion becomes a factor.
The following photos will show that one can negate the 3 "negatives"mentioned. Wide lenses can have more impact, a more "in-your-face" feel since by necessity, particularly for a 24mm lens, one has to shoot as close as 2 feet away from the subject.
A few housekeeping items to remember: centre the subject, at least within the middle third of the frame, keep level to the horizon, and observe proper posing techniques to accentuate positive features (sparkling eyes), and deemphasize negative features (prominent noses). And as always with any portraiture shoot, elicit a spontaneous happy look from your subject.
Minolta 50 F1.7, shot at either F2 or F2.2
Sigma 35 F1.4, shot at F1.6, F2
Sigma 24 F1.8 macro, shot at F2, F2.2
All photos shown full-frame, shot with a Sony a99, no cropping. Photographed for TrilliumWest Real Estate Brokerage, Guelph, ON.
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