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View Full Version : Photographer's focal length joke


robertwgross
28th of August 2003 (Thu), 14:23
Some photographers shoot portraits, and there are all kinds of individuals with all kinds of facial features. That is just part of the game. One standard portrait lens focal length might be 75mm, which would have a slight flattening effect on the facial features. A longer lens would have more such effect.

It is often thought that Asian subjects have slightly flatter features, like the nose, and European subjects, Italians for example, have a slightly more stately nose.

The portrait photographer normally seeks to avoid flattening the appearance of an already flat feature, and avoids exaggerating an already pronounced feature. So, to shoot the Asian face, the photographer might use a 50-60mm lens.

I had to shoot a Greek man's portrait, and his nose was so obvious that I had to get out my 200mm lens with a teleconverter.

---Bob Gross---

Littlebike
28th of August 2003 (Thu), 15:34
on the otherhand, if the Greek were to come to me I would have tried shooting at 17-14mm to REALLY acentuate the feature, if for nothing else other than my enjoyment.

Belmondo
28th of August 2003 (Thu), 15:41
My attorney is Greek. I'm not saying a word.