Street photography tip: 35mm matches what you see with the naked eye
Tuesday 16 July 2024, 16:32 by Michiel Heijmans | 2,718 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!
You might also like
-
Street photography tip: Photograph from a bird's-eye viewby Michiel Heijmans
-
Street photography tip: Use the worm's-eye viewby Michiel Heijmans
-
Street photography tip: Photograph someone from very close upby Michiel Heijmans
-
Street photography tip: How to take photos without being noticedby Michiel Heijmans
-
Street photography tip: Photograph people as part of their surroundingsby Michiel Heijmans
2 comments
-
JenV wrote on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 07:54
| reply
Hoi Michiel, je zegt dat je er prima straatportretten mee kunt maken, als je maar niet alleen het hoofd fotografeert, waarom is dat?
This comment was written in another language and has not been translated yet. -
Donald Willemsen
wrote on Saturday 27 July 2024 at 12:18
| reply
Met een cropcamera is het toch weer net even wat anders dan met een full-frame.
This comment was written in another language and has not been translated yet.
Ik ben het wel met je eens, dat de 35mm het goed doet in de straatfotografie. Het is een relatief kleine lens. Je valt er dus minder mee op. De Canon RF f/1.8 35mm is bovendien nog lekker lichtsterk ook.
Have your say
Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.
Become a better photographer every week
A practical photography tip in your inbox every week.
39,219 photography enthusiasts already receive the tips! More about the weekly mail. Or keep up to date via 
Facebook.
Elja Trum
Photofacts; everything to do with photography!
Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about PhotofactsPhotofacts is made possible in part by
