At 15:37 1/16/01, Lex Jenkins wrote:
Perhaps I should clarify by saying I think the normal lens is preferable
for other than head-and-shoulders portraiture. I can't think of a
category for demi-length or full-length portraiture because terms like
"glamour" photography seem to imply nudity or semi-nudity.
I'm thinking more along the lines of fashion photography, in which one is
capturing more than just the subject's head and shoulders or face. For
that I prefer a normal lens, and would really prefer an f/1.2 if I could
afford it.
I generally prefer this type of portraiture for the context. A person is
more than just a face.
I think some of what you are talking about is called "environmental"
portraiture . . . something that shows what the person is or does . . . and
is more than their likeness. In these, a 50mm can used if one keeps no
tighter than a 1/3 shot. There is still a danger with unnatural
perspective from a standard lens, even with a 2/3 shot, the most common
being if the subject is seated. It requires care in composition that the
focus distance does not become short compared to the distance between
elements of the subject . . . unless it is intended for effect, which must
be done carefully. (Andrew Fildes' image is a good example of successfully
using unnatural perspective from a short lens for effect.)
-- John
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