Can a 35mm Lens Be Used for Portraiture? Unveiling the Creative Potential
Photography is an art form that allows us to frame the world as we want it seen. A portrait is a precise framing of a subject, often to tell a story or capture a specific moment. Some might argue that a 35mm lens is too wide for portraiture, but in reality, this lens can be incredibly effective, especially in the right hands.
Financial and Versatile
A 35mm lens can be an excellent environmental portrait lens on both APS-C and full-frame cameras. Whether you're using an APS-C format camera or a full-frame one, a 35mm lens can offer a captivating perspective. For example, on an APS-C format camera, it is typically fine for a full body length portrait, while on a full-frame camera, it works well for a group of two or more people.
However, unless you are using it for a special effect, you might want to reconsider using a 35mm lens for a conventional head and shoulders portrait. The reason is that by getting close enough to the subject to fill the camera’s format, the features that are closest to the camera are exaggerated. This can lead to an unflattering perspective which might not always be ideal for portraiture.
Beyond Technical Constraints
Many photographers believe that a 35mm lens on a full-frame or DX (APS-C) format is too wide for portraits. Technically, they may be correct, but creativity shouldn't be limited by such constraints. Luis Foscili shared some beautiful examples of using a 35mm lens effectively in this thread, demonstrating that the lens is far from being limiting.
Technical Explanation: The Impact of Focal Length
Let's dive into the technical explanation of how a lens's focal length affects the photos you take. The focal length is influenced by the film format's diagonal. For a full-frame format (35mm film), the diagonal is 43.2mm, usually rounded up to 45mm. This standard was considered by many early camera manufacturers for their traditional lenses.
A 50mm lens was traditionally considered the standard for full-frame cameras, while anything smaller than 50mm was considered wide angle. The telephoto range is twice the format diagonal, which for full-frame would be around 100mm. Therefore, a lens in the 70mm range was the go-to portrait lens for full-frame cameras.
For APS-C or DX cameras, the diagonal is smaller, at 30mm. This means that anything smaller than 30mm is considered wide angle, and twice that size (60mm) is considered telephoto. Understanding these dimensions can help you predict the perspective and effect of any lens with any size of film or digital chip.
Conclusion: Embracing Creativity
Ultimately, whether a 35mm lens is suitable for portraiture depends on your approach and the intentions behind the shot. Don't let technical limitations restrict your creativity. Instead, use the 35mm lens to your advantage, whether it be for its wide angle perspective or to capture a unique environmental portrait. Experimenting with different focal lengths can lead to unexpected and compelling results.
By understanding the technical aspects and using the 35mm lens creatively, you can capture stunning portraits that go beyond conventional expectations. The key is to frame your subject in a way that tells the story you want to tell, and sometimes, that might just mean using a wide-angle lens.