Street photography tip: 35mm matches what you see with the naked eye
Tuesday 16 July 2024, 16:32 by Michiel Heijmans | 2,921 views | 2 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
What we see as humans lies somewhere between 35 and 50 millimetres. Scientifically, you arrive at 42 millimetres, I read somewhere. And although you can get some great 40mm lenses (I have a Sony, and the Ricoh GRIIIx is also 40mm), I am still a big fan of 35mm.
Perhaps precisely because you get less distortion with 35mm than with a wider lens, and you have room to crop (possibly removing an edge of your photo). You can also take excellent street portraits with it, as long as you don't photograph just the head. Include a bit of the chest or torso too. And preferably place your subject as much in the centre of your photo as possible.
The 35mm lens is my favourite. I see in 35mm. It helps me see the photo first, and only then pick up my camera. Where street photography focuses on the everyday, this is my everyday lens.
About the author
Michiel is professioneel straatfotograaf en geeft workshops en lezingen over straatfotografie. Hij schrijft columns voor Focus Magazine en is erg actief op Instagram. Daar vind je dagelijks inspiratie en tips voor je eigen straatfotografie!
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2 comments
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JenV wrote on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 07:54
| reply
Hi Michiel, you say that you can take perfectly good street portraits with it, as long as you don't photograph only the head, why is that?
Translated from Dutch. -
Donald Willemsen
wrote on Saturday 27 July 2024 at 12:18
| reply
With a crop-sensor camera, it’s still just a little different than with a full-frame.
Translated from Dutch.
I do agree with you that the 35mm does well in street photography. It’s a relatively small lens. So you stand out less with it. The Canon RF f/1.8 35mm is also nice and fast.
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