Effect of focal length in portraits

Sunday 11 May 2025, 18:36 by Nando Harmsen | 4,117 views | 5 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

You often hear that a longer focal length is very suitable for portrait photography. It gives good perspective in the proportions of the face. But it also has a major effect on how the background appears in the image.

You are not going to use a wide-angle lens for portraits. Although you can achieve special effects and exciting compositions, it is a no-go for a proper portrait. The most noticeable feature is the nose, which becomes far too large in relation to the rest of the face.

From a focal length of 50mm onwards, you will hardly have this problem. Unless you get too close, of course, which I have done in this example. But for a normal portrait, anything from 50mm is perfect. If you use a smaller sensor format, convert it so that you have the same angle of view.

Portrait with 50mm and f/2. This is a little too close for this focal length and this crop. Pay attention to the background.
Besides the proportions of the face, focal length has a major effect on the background. As the focal length gets longer, the angle of view becomes smaller. Everything appears larger in the image. It is not just the model who appears larger, the background is enlarged too.

Because your model appears larger in the image, you may want to compensate for this. By taking more distance, you can make your model the same size again. However, the background remains enlarged by the same amount, even if you move further away from your model.

With a longer focal length, you get less of the background in the image, and the blur also becomes greater. This makes it easier to separate your model from the background. The smaller angle of view also gives you the chance to be selective when it comes to the background.

Portrait with 150mm and f/5. Compare the background with the previous photo. This focal length is perfect for this crop, just compare the dimensions of the face. Do bear in mind that you need to keep more distance.
You can take perfect portrait photos with 50mm. You can take perfect portrait photos with 100mm or even 150mm. One is not automatically wrong, and the other is not automatically right. Every angle of view gives a different look. Choose the one you think best suits your portrait.

Keep this rule of thumb in mind. The larger the angle of view, the greater the role of the surroundings in your photo. The smaller the angle of view, the more attention is focused on your model. Choose the optimum balance for your photo by making a conscious choice of focal length.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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5 comments

Mac wrote on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 08:04 | reply
Golden rule for portrait photos has always been an 85-135mm lens.
the 85mm and 135mm are not seen that much anymore nowadays (replaced by zoom lenses). But in the analog era every photographer had either an 85mm or a 135mm in their bag for portraits.
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 14:25 | reply
That's right Mac, in the analog era I always used a 135mm for portraits on a full frame. Now with a crop sensor I often use 85mm to get approximately the same angle of view.
Translated from Dutch.

Fotospullen@onsmail.nl wrote on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 16:01 | reply
...... and all of this, of course, entirely aside from the question of what a portrait is... a head shot.... something a bit broader.... or much broader indeed.....
But, as far as I'm concerned, in principle actually in all cases the person concerned should be depicted with respect. And therefore e.g. no strange perspectives etc
Translated from Dutch.

Jacques wrote on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 22:08 | reply
Why don't I read anything here about the difference between crop and full-frame cameras. Pretty relevant in this case.
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 22:56 | reply
That is not relevant. The difference between 50mm and 150mm on a crop sensor is the same as between 50mm and 150mm on a full frame. The angle of view may be different, but you are not comparing different sensor sizes.
Translated from Dutch.

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