Distortion in Portrait Photography

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Submitted By: Film4Ever

Joined: Jun 11 2007

Posts:

Distortion in Portrait Photography

Posted: August 1, 2008 - 8:13pm

As an amateur photographer who only recently has began to take an interest in portrait photography, I have been noticing more and more just how much a lens will distort a face, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worst. In my own case, it is for the worst--which hurts very much as I am proud of my good looks "in person."

Anyway, my questions on the subject are:

1) Do you guys have any tips on how to photograph faces to minimize distortion, and render an accurate portrayal of them?

2) Can you recommend any books/articles on techniques for portrait photography in general? Although I am interested in portrait photography that accurately depicts a face in different types of light, I would also like to learn how to photograph faces so as to flatter them (for example, minimizing to some extent a big nose or wide lips or protruding forehead, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Submitted By: Larry Berman

Location: Pittsburgh

Joined: Mar 7 2005

Posts:

Re: Distortion in Portrait Photography

Posted: August 2, 2008 - 5:58am

What lens are you using that you feel is distorting the portrait? The optimum focal length is slightly longer than normal, approximately 85mm or it's equivalent with the digital sensor crop factor. An additional factor that create visual distortion is lighting placement.

Quote:
As an amateur photographer who only recently has began to take an interest in portrait photography, I have been noticing more and more just how much a lens will distort a face,

Submitted By: Film4Ever

Joined: Jun 11 2007

Posts:

Re: Distortion in Portrait Photography

Posted: August 3, 2008 - 11:58am

Larry, to be honest, I have mostly snapped "portrait" photos with just a P&S (a cheap digital). I have reserved my film SLR (a Minolta Maxxum 9) for photojournalistic non-portrait photos, though on occasion I did shoot some family photos with it. Maybe the cheap P&S is the problem? I want to start shooting candid "people pictures" with film, but wanted to first get a feel for portraiture with my P&S digital so I don't waste film needlessly.

As far as the lenses I have for my film SLR, I have a 35-80mm AF Maxxum Power Zoom (came as an extra with my Maxxum 9 body when I bought it used), a similar 35-80mm AF "Macro" Zoom, and a 75-300mm AF "Macro" Zoom (the last two came as parts of a kit with my Maxxum StSi several years ago; I use the lenses, but rarely use the camera itself now).

I want to obtain at some point some some fixed focal length lenses as I read they produce sharper photos. Would they also lessen distortion?