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<blockquote data-quote="WayneF" data-source="post: 581638" data-attributes="member: 12496"><p>Thanks. Yeah, the 105mm lens was always the classic standard for portraits with 35mm film. That view would be 70mm for DX. I've always been pretty sure it was because of the perspective. Assuming a 2x3 foot field of view is necessary for a head and shoulders shot, then (for full frame 35mm), a 50mm has to be up at only 4 feet. That's simply too close for good perspective. Distorts noses and things. The ladies don't like the way they look, but probably can't tell you quite why. The 105 is forced to be back at about 8 feet (just to include 2x3 feet of view). And farther for any wider view. Hence, always good perspective.</p><p></p><p>I don't know any one prescribed subject distance number for proper portrait perspective, but my own notion is <strong>at least 6 or 7 feet</strong>. I normally try for 10 feet, maybe 120mm (FX), typically waist up work. I mean, if you have room, why not? That would be 80mm for DX. It was not uncommon for shooters to prefer 135mm lenses (35mm film), for the flat (undistorted) perspective of models. </p><p></p><p>The perspective of course comes only from where the lens makes them stand, it is not from any other property of the lens or focal length. The lens does not matter, but where you stand does. Perspective is what we see from there. And of course, full length or groups need a wider lens, in lieu of standing so far back. But the Minimum distance always applies, to any face anywhere.</p><p></p><p> I do know 4 feet is too dang close. 5 feet almost works, it is subtle, but the ladies do prefer their shots taken at a bit longer. This could fail, but look in the Exif of those shots your wife likes best of her, and see what the focal length was. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Can't go wrong on perspective out at 8 or 10 feet. The perspective rule always was "For whatever format, use whatever lens gives the view you want from at least 6 or 7 feet" (and more is considered good insurance).</p><p></p><p>A couple from at Google under Portrait Perspective feet:</p><p></p><p>CommonSensePhotography: 10 feet is a good distance for all lenses for portraits</p><p></p><p>Ken Rockwell: Therefore we want to be at least about 15 feet away when photographing people in order to achieve realistic proportions.</p><p></p><p>Chuck Gardner: He's Canon, but I always thought he was pretty level headed otherwise. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> He has useful articles, one page is <a href="http://super.nova.org/DPR/Perspective/" target="_blank">Perspective and Distortion</a></p><p></p><p>He doesn't give a number exactly, but says "When I do a portrait I look at the face from various distances from 7 to 12 feet through a lens and note how the appearance of the face changes. When the camera gets close the nose starts to look bigger relative to the eyes and ears further back, especially in an oblique view."</p><p></p><p>I'm not sure I am able to see it then and there at the time, but I do get better results standing back more.</p><p></p><p>This is just classic portrait knowledge about perspective.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="WayneF, post: 581638, member: 12496"] Thanks. Yeah, the 105mm lens was always the classic standard for portraits with 35mm film. That view would be 70mm for DX. I've always been pretty sure it was because of the perspective. Assuming a 2x3 foot field of view is necessary for a head and shoulders shot, then (for full frame 35mm), a 50mm has to be up at only 4 feet. That's simply too close for good perspective. Distorts noses and things. The ladies don't like the way they look, but probably can't tell you quite why. The 105 is forced to be back at about 8 feet (just to include 2x3 feet of view). And farther for any wider view. Hence, always good perspective. I don't know any one prescribed subject distance number for proper portrait perspective, but my own notion is [B]at least 6 or 7 feet[/B]. I normally try for 10 feet, maybe 120mm (FX), typically waist up work. I mean, if you have room, why not? That would be 80mm for DX. It was not uncommon for shooters to prefer 135mm lenses (35mm film), for the flat (undistorted) perspective of models. The perspective of course comes only from where the lens makes them stand, it is not from any other property of the lens or focal length. The lens does not matter, but where you stand does. Perspective is what we see from there. And of course, full length or groups need a wider lens, in lieu of standing so far back. But the Minimum distance always applies, to any face anywhere. I do know 4 feet is too dang close. 5 feet almost works, it is subtle, but the ladies do prefer their shots taken at a bit longer. This could fail, but look in the Exif of those shots your wife likes best of her, and see what the focal length was. :) Can't go wrong on perspective out at 8 or 10 feet. The perspective rule always was "For whatever format, use whatever lens gives the view you want from at least 6 or 7 feet" (and more is considered good insurance). A couple from at Google under Portrait Perspective feet: CommonSensePhotography: 10 feet is a good distance for all lenses for portraits Ken Rockwell: Therefore we want to be at least about 15 feet away when photographing people in order to achieve realistic proportions. Chuck Gardner: He's Canon, but I always thought he was pretty level headed otherwise. :) He has useful articles, one page is [URL="http://super.nova.org/DPR/Perspective/"]Perspective and Distortion[/URL] He doesn't give a number exactly, but says "When I do a portrait I look at the face from various distances from 7 to 12 feet through a lens and note how the appearance of the face changes. When the camera gets close the nose starts to look bigger relative to the eyes and ears further back, especially in an oblique view." I'm not sure I am able to see it then and there at the time, but I do get better results standing back more. This is just classic portrait knowledge about perspective. [/QUOTE]
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