So, this isn’t another typical which focal length is better for portrait work. That discussion has been beaten to death, resurrected, and beaten to death. In the Fuji lineup I’ve been able to shoot great portraits with nearly every lens they make
Recently, in an effort to simplify down my kit, I sold off my 35mm lenses. And in the past week I’ve done some portrait stuff with the 50mm f2. Which is what lead to this post.
As mentioned above, the quality of the photos using the 50 f2 is a non issue. What does seem to be an unforeseen issue, is the working distance. When I shoot portraits, I have a ton of interaction with the person I’m photographing. By switching to the 50 from the 35, I feel like it moves me farther enough away that there is a disconnect from the person I’m photographing. I loss of intimacy from the photo because of not being close to the subject. Everyone who tours the loner focal lengths for portraits always do so on technical merits. To me, a good portrait is just as much about connection with the person as it is about the technical side.
I would love to hear the thoughts of other people shooters.
Recently, in an effort to simplify down my kit, I sold off my 35mm lenses. And in the past week I’ve done some portrait stuff with the 50mm f2. Which is what lead to this post.
As mentioned above, the quality of the photos using the 50 f2 is a non issue. What does seem to be an unforeseen issue, is the working distance. When I shoot portraits, I have a ton of interaction with the person I’m photographing. By switching to the 50 from the 35, I feel like it moves me farther enough away that there is a disconnect from the person I’m photographing. I loss of intimacy from the photo because of not being close to the subject. Everyone who tours the loner focal lengths for portraits always do so on technical merits. To me, a good portrait is just as much about connection with the person as it is about the technical side.
I would love to hear the thoughts of other people shooters.