lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

What is you preferred lens (mm) for head shots. And, what distance from subject is best for headshots using your favorite lens

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I always use a 100mm to 200mm to give the subject breathing room

Rongnongno Loc: FL

A mid-telephoto (85mm to 135mm) is advisable.

The reason is simple: It prevents distortion (widening of a face). Longer lenses create a 'compression effect'.

As to distance, well, it depends on what type of portrait you are creating. A close-up means a short distance, a full length a longer one, so there is not 'best distance at play'.

Note that portrait prime lenses are made to be at their sharpest at a set aperture and set distance. Test your lens to learn what it is, or ask folks who have the lens.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The prevention of distortion is a major issue in traditional portraiture. Distortion can impair the production of a good likeness which is one of the basic elements of portraiture.

It is important to understand that perspective is controlled by a distance not the focal length of the lens in use. Most folks consider focal lengh the most important factor and there is a valid point for that reasoning. So, we need to select a focal length that will enable a proper working distance for the composition, pose and head size we are incorporating in any given portrat image. I can't specify one exact working distance because that will depend on your composition, pose and/o, use of negative space, etc.

I can go into a lengthy post in that the term "headshot" can be a head and shoulder pose. a tight shot, not including the shoulders, and of course there are adults, adolescents, and little kids with differet head sizes. For general "headshot" work with a full-frame digital camera, my favorite is the 105mm lens which will enable a good working distance for most compositions in a standard headshot. Of course, there are equivalents in the other formats.

My recommendation is based on the fact that at a normal working distance to accommodate a well-balanced composition and pose, there will be no excess compression, exaggeration of facial features or structure, and no excessive compression of the background. The physical workg distance will not crowd or intimidate the subject but will be close enough to establish good communication between the photographer and the subject.

There are many other approaches, including the use of moderate wide-angle lenses that will enable more of the environment to be rendered sharply on a 3/4 length portrait, however, this requires specialized posing and camera positioning techniques. Longer focal length may be employed to bring about more compression (via distance) or less depth of field for background management, but again these are specialized techniques.

I do use a variety of focal lengths for portraiture but if I had only one les for that purpose it would be the 105mm- it would be the ideal lens for many shots and a good compromise for others.

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

thanks

User ID

You have not at all specified that these headshots are "portraiture" (also called "cosmetic portraits") or IOW "sittings", typically also involving some lighting.

Replies mainly assume portraiture, but headshots does not equal portraiture.
The term headshots also applies to PR and journalistic styles, not involving studio situations or studio lighting. The latter is what put the Nikkor 85/2.0 on the map as THE headshot lens.

Considering the two different contexts and the matter of choosing a FL, for "sittings" I use about twice the FL as I would for PR work or journalism: 135 to 200mm for sittings, 65 to 90mm for PR etc (posed but not cosmetic studio work).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note that the beloved 105mm is left out, or falls into the gap. Thaz why its such a favorite. The gap is small and so the 105 handles both. Obviously if you have a great 70-210 zoom youre covered all the way around.

But for a purist, 135 or 200 for "sittings" is more flattering and allows room for lighting gear. 65 to 90 usually has the lens speed for ad hoc situational lighting and works in smaller tighter spaces for PR etc. I have a 65/2.0 thaz just perfect for unpredictable PR or journalistic settings. The small size is less intimidating, more friendly, for the subject (as seen below).

(Download)

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

not for studio work. Use case is for street head shots (fill the frame type), family (graduation pix, etc.) my special projects (half face profiles for example)

User ID

Heres just a few non-studio commercial headshot examples for you. All your other advisory replies are for a whole different purpose. All you need is a slightly longish FL, just enuf to not shove your camera in a subjects face. Theories about flattering perspective, or about "distortion", simply dont apply here.

Dont risk buying *too* long a lens ... you can always crop. Im guessing youll wind up with an 85mm, cuz its about right, and a great variety are easily available. I have about 1/2 dozen myself.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

That hits my button. I will go for the 85.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Without going into all the detail I use a 135 lens and get close or far enough away to fill the frame - Keep It Simple

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

"Headshots" is photo slang! As I recall, workg as a commercial photograher, the term originated with model and theatrical agencies who issued "head sheets" theses were poster-like composite images of models or actors just showing a close-up "portrait" of each model or actor the agency represented as kind of a quick reference for art directors, fashion show coordinators, casting directors, and agencies and photograher- basically folks who hire models and actors. I used my two head sheets regularly and the models I thought would fit the assignment I was handling would then send me or her composite or J-Card with more information, photographs, clothing sizes, etc.

I suppose the term "headshot' sounds glamorous or "cool" so it seeped into business, publicity, political campaign, corporate, and other areas that use "portraits" for promotion and publicity.

I still feel it is a type of "portraiture" and requires the skill of a good portrait photograher. If not anything else, people want to look at the best whether they are looking for a job interview, a modeling opportunity, an audition for an acting role, or running for office. Corporations want their executives to look dynamic yet personable and approachable. Yes, there are higher and more sophistica levels of theatrical portraiture and other specialized areas but most folks and companies do not wantot spend their money on what looks like a poorly crafted passport photo or a "mug shot". Many corporate spend big bucks on their annual reports because not only are those a whole lot of "bookkeeping and accounting" showing profit and loss but they are important tools in securing investors and other corporate clients. They need good photography.

Actors or models NEED good flattering and charismatic portraits because they are not alwas there when basic preliminary decisions are being made and those pictures are their only representatives until they score an interview.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

For Portraits my favorite lens is my 70-200 2.8. I can pick my background for my subject, and then I can be a various distances using my zoom lens. I like to shoot wide open as my Sony a1 puts the focus on the subjects eye.
Using a zoom gives the photographer options.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Why 1/2 dozen 85s?
Would not 1 suffice seeing as they are all the same?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Although I am not a professional photographer I have shot portraits with a 50mm, 85mm and 105mm lenses. If you ask me, my favorite has been the 105mm lens.
When I was shooting with medium format my favorite was the 200mm.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I have a 90 tameron macro that I used for intraoral shots for dentistry and full face. Always gave good results