Sunday, 23 July 2017

You don’t always need a sharp lens for portrait photography

Many photographers are obsessed with sharpness and want the highest amount of detail and sharpness in every photo. The quest for sharpness ultimately results in spending hundreds, if not thousands of pounds on the “sharpest lens” out there. Okay, there are times when sharpness is key and very important but there are also times when it is possible for a lens to be too sharp, and portrait photography is one of these times.

Portraits should be flattering and show the model at their best and using a really sharp lens, such as a macro lens, won’t achieve this. Sharp lenses and those that record a high level of detail show will capture every spot, pimple, blemish, variation in skin tone and imperfection and this will not result in a flattering portrait photo. The best portrait lenses are a little soft as this leads to more pleasing and flattering portraits. This is particularly true when taking portrait photos of women and children.

Softer lenses are cheaper and more affordable than sharper lenses, so when you use a slightly soft lens you will have a monetary gain in addition to capturing better portrait shots. It is a win-win.

Soft focus lenses for portrait photography


Yongnuo  35mm f2 (fullreview here)

Focal Length – Full frame/APS-C:- 35mm/56mm/ Aperture:- 2 - 22 /Min focus:- 9.8”/ Dimensions:- 2.9” X 2.3”/ Weight:- 5.4oz / Image stabilization:- No / Price (approx.) $USD/£ GBP:- $90.00/£85.00

Canon 35mm f2 IS (full review here)

Focal Length – Full frame/APS-C:- 35mm/ 42mm/ Aperture:- 2 - 22/ Min focus:- 9.4"/ Dimensions:- 3.07" x 2.46"/ Weight:- 11.8oz/ Image stabilization:- Yes/ Price (approx.) $USD/£ GBP:-$550.00/£445.00 
Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 (full review here)

Focal Length – Full frame/APS-C:- 50mm/80mm/ Aperture:- 1.8 - 22/Min focus:- 17.7”/ Dimensions:- 3.15” x 3.27”/ Weight:- 4.2oz/ Image stabilization:- No/ Price (approx.) $USD/£ GBP:- $58.00/£40.00

Canon 50mm f1.8 (full review here)

Focal Length – Full frame/APS-C:- 50mm/ 80mm/ Aperture:- 1.8 - 22/ Min focus:- 13.8"/ Dimensions:- 2.72" x 1.55"/ Weight:- 5.6oz/ Image stabilization:- No/ Price (approx.) $USD/£ GBP:- $125.00/£100.00 

This doesn’t mean you can’t use sharp lenses for portrait photography, however if you do decide to use a sharp lens to capture portraits you may have to apply make up to the subjects to even skin tones and conceal spots, pimples, blemishes etc. You won’t have any problems applying makeup to teenagers and adults, but it will add some time to the shoot. Applying make up to children is a different matter (especially youngsters) and as for babies, I would never apply any cosmetics for a photo shoot. In the case of babies I would only ever use a softer lens, and would recommend any other photographer does the same. 



Here's a short video clip re the Canon 50mm f1.8 and whether it is still the best choice you may find interesting. Please do feel free to check it out. 

Related reading:

Below are links to other portrait photography related posts, articles and tutorials that you may find useful/interesting. Please feel free to head on over and take a look.

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

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