1. Wide-Angle Lenses (e.g., 16mm, 24mm, 35mm):
* Exaggerated Perspective: Wide-angle lenses exaggerate perspective, making objects closer to the camera appear larger and objects further away appear smaller. This is the most significant effect.
* Elongated Nose/Forehead: The nose and forehead, being closer to the camera, can appear disproportionately large.
* Shrinking Ears/Jawline: Features further from the camera, like the ears and jawline, can appear smaller and further away.
* Distortion at the Edges: Extreme wide-angle lenses (e.g., fisheye) can cause significant distortion, warping the face and background, especially towards the edges of the frame.
* Proximity and Intimacy: These lenses often require the photographer to get very close to the subject, creating a sense of intimacy, though it can also feel intrusive if not handled carefully.
* Environmental Portraits: Wide-angle lenses are often used to include more of the environment in the portrait, placing the subject in a wider context.
* Generally Unflattering: Due to the distorted proportions, wide-angle lenses are generally considered unflattering for close-up portraits, particularly of the face. They can be used for artistic effect, but require careful consideration.
2. "Normal" Lenses (e.g., 50mm):
* More Accurate Perspective: 50mm lenses (on a full-frame camera) provide a perspective that's closest to how the human eye sees the world. The proportions of the face are rendered more accurately.
* Balanced Proportions: The nose, eyes, and ears appear in a more natural and balanced relationship to each other.
* Good Starting Point: A 50mm lens is often recommended as a good starting point for portrait photography, as it provides a relatively neutral and versatile image.
* Still Requires Proximity: You still need to get relatively close to the subject, which can affect their comfort level.
* Less Dramatic: Lacks the drama of wide-angle or the compression of telephoto lenses.
3. Telephoto Lenses (e.g., 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm):
* Compression: Telephoto lenses compress perspective, making objects appear closer together than they actually are. This is the key effect.
* Narrowed Face: The face appears narrower and the features are compressed, making the face seem less round.
* Reduced Nose Prominence: The nose appears less prominent and more in line with the rest of the face. This is a generally flattering effect.
* Shallow Depth of Field: Telephoto lenses often have a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and isolating the subject. This helps to draw attention to the face.
* Flattering: Many portrait photographers prefer telephoto lenses because they tend to be more flattering, smoothing out features and creating a more idealized image.
* Distance: These lenses allow the photographer to work from a greater distance, which can make the subject feel more relaxed and less self-conscious. However, it can also create a sense of detachment.
* 85mm - The Classic Portrait Lens: The 85mm lens is widely considered a classic portrait lens, striking a good balance between compression, subject distance, and background blur.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Wide-Angle (e.g., 24mm) | "Normal" (e.g., 50mm) | Telephoto (e.g., 85mm) |
|--------------------|--------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------|
| Perspective | Exaggerated | More Accurate | Compressed |
| Nose | Appears Larger | Normal | Appears Smaller |
| Face Shape | Wider, more rounded | More Natural | Narrower |
| Subject Distance | Close | Closer | Further |
| Depth of Field | Deep | Moderate | Shallow |
| Flattering | Generally Less | Neutral | Generally More |
| Uses | Environmental portraits, Artistic effect | Versatile, Everyday | Classic portraits, Headshots |
Important Considerations:
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: The effects of focal length are also affected by the sensor size of the camera. On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm lens will have a field of view equivalent to a longer focal length on a full-frame camera.
* Subject's Face Shape: Different focal lengths can be more or less flattering depending on the subject's natural face shape.
* Lighting: Lighting plays a crucial role in portraiture, regardless of the focal length used.
* Distance: The distance *you* are from the subject is crucial, and interacts with the focal length. You can change focal lengths but keep the framing the same by moving closer/further, changing the perspective dramatically.
* Artistic Intention: Ultimately, the choice of focal length depends on the photographer's artistic intention.
In Conclusion:
Understanding how focal length affects facial features is essential for creating compelling and flattering portraits. Experimenting with different lenses and subject distances is the best way to learn how to achieve the desired look. Consider the subject's face shape, the environment, and your artistic vision when making your lens selection.