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Portrait Photography
Pretty informative user friendly site. You know, one of the things that has always both fascinated me and irritated
me is what I call the "expensive camera mystique" or ECM. I swore that ONLY a Nikon 90s or Canon EOSn1
could take the great pictures. An impressive photo exhibit held by a woman armed with only a measly Canon AE-
1 changed all that. The way I figure, some of my most favorite photos were shot on cameras many times inferior
to the so called pro gear. I still however would like to own the 90s for its high ratings, lens availability and
versatilty. It's a great camera to hold and prices on the model have dropped in recent years. I must add that
portrait photography is my favorite category next to still life and I prefer b/w to color about 75% of the time.
Nikon prime lenses are expensive but the only ones I want are the 20mm, 24mm, 85mm and 105mm macro.
Hopeully I can find some used ones! Favorite shutterbugs: annie l. richard avedon linda mccartney (r.i.p.)
mapplethorpe
shutterbugs i disl
-- greg b., May 30, 1999
For the longest time, my main portrait lens was a nikon 75-150 3.5 Series-E. This lens was very sharp, and great
in the studio due to the constant maximum aperture. When I got my F4s, I decided to get an 85 1.8 af, and have
sworn by this lens ever since. The wide aperture REALLY makes the subject pop! I like this lens so much, that I
sold the 75-150!
-- Robert Mossack, October 20, 1999
Hi Philip,
Just visited your portrait photo page. Thanks for the infos, really helpful. However, you seem to concentrate in
using expensive equips. For a lowly cheap (and poor) student like me, it's kinda hard to get them. Personally, I
found out that using Canon 50mm/1.8 Mk. II is enough for my need. As I like to get up close and personal to my
subjects. For candid portrait (capturing expression), it seems to me that people notice you less when you're close
to them. They thought you were focusing on something else. I'm just an amateur, however, so my opinion might
not be correct. Thanks again for the website, really helpful.
Regards, fajar
-- Fajar Reksoprodjo, October 22, 1999
Here is what I did for buying portrait lens. First I bought cheap so called universal zoom lens. I think those lens
really give some idea of charateristic focal length and give a chance novice like me to explore the different focal
length. Eventhough quality of those lens was not great, To me It was acceptable. and later I can use as a preview
lens for medium format camera that doesn't have camera meter. After analyze the picture I took, I can break
down portrait into couple of the situation.
1)Standard portrait: 2)Telephoto portrait:candid, natural unposed, long enough to be subjects aren't aware of
them being photographed 3)Environmental portrait:The subject and surroundings are equally important 4)
Detailed Body part:Macro works on portrait 5)Exaggerated body portion portrait:So called wide angle close up
portrait, for thsoe fun special effect, Using a distortion a minimizing hadicaped body portion for example making
short leg looks longer. 6)Group portrait:Family photo, wedding photo something like that kind of gathering. Then
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