Site that shows effect of different lenses on portraits

BenJohnson wrote in post #7647307
Focal Length + Framing = Perspective

If the Focal Length is the variable, and Framing is the constant, then Perspective changes. Your link is a good example of this.

I remember recently looking at a PDF that I think was made by Canon showing the same phenomenon with a woman standing next to a bridge in front of some buildings (I think). Can't remember where I found the link though....

Sigma has something like that on their website. "Focal Length Finder" or something to that end. Same shot, but showing the framing of it at any focal length you chose. In their example the shots would be taken from the same position... so as your focal length gets shorter you obviously take more of the scene in the framing, as your focal length gets longer you get less in.

The example in the link was quite good, but the movement of the subject and/or photographer as he got to the widest FL's showed extra distortion.

The same example would likely be best taken with a mannequin head set up on a stand at the same height as the camera's position on a tripod (to coincide with the center of the mannequin head to be the center of the lens- both laterally and longitudinally). So, as your move the focal plane (via moving the camera on the tripod, but not raising or lowering it) to compensate for the change in focal length (via zooming or changing lenses) in order to achieve a comparable framing (as defined by placement in the frame of the facial features... i.e. the eyes should be in the same place throughout the series) you still have the mannequin head's face aligned at a 90degree angle to the center of the lens. If you notice the 24mm example the forehead begins to look much larger than the chin because the camera is no longer at the same angle to the face as it was at the other FL's.

Perry Ge wrote in post #7647087
Don't say I never gave you anything.
http://stepheneastwood​.com …ials_Lens_Persp​ective.htm

The key thing is that focal length has nothing to do with perspective, but all the shots in the link above have the same framing. They are shot at different distances (i.e. different perspectives), and focal lengths are changed in order to achieve the equivalent framing of the headshot.

So really what the site is showing is the effect of different perspectives (i.e. different distances) on portraits, not the effect of different lenses.

cool link i've never seen that before...just one curious question without knowing what the model looks like is there any way to tell which shot gives the most realistic look?

DerekW wrote in post #7652403
I got cha, the reason why I was looking for it was to showsomeone how using a longer lens could minimize a big nose.

The part I bolded above cannot happen. However, moving away from the subject will "flatten" the perspective depending on how far you move. Typically one would use a longer lens after moving back but the focal length change itself does nothing to change the perspective.

If you'd like to preview our training thread on perspective, have a look at the work in progress.

I understand, the lens doesn't change the look. All I'm saying is to reduce the appeareance of a big nose you could use a longer lens and move farther away from the subject, as that would "flatten" the subject, is that correct?

DerekW wrote in post #7654360
I understand, the lens doesn't change the look. All I'm saying is to reduce the appeareance of a big nose you could use a longer lens and move farther away from the subject, as that would "flatten" the subject, is that correct?

You are correct. However, you must understand that it is simply the moving farther away from the subject that changes the perspective.

The longer lens does nothing to the perspective, but it allows you to fill the frame with the primary subject from a further distance.

Perry Ge wrote in post #7647087
Don't say I never gave you anything.
http://stepheneastwood​.com …ials_Lens_Persp​ective.htm

The key thing is that focal length has nothing to do with perspective, but all the shots in the link above have the same framing. They are shot at different distances (i.e. different perspectives), and focal lengths are changed in order to achieve the equivalent framing of the headshot.

So really what the site is showing is the effect of different perspectives (i.e. different distances) on portraits, not the effect of different lenses.

You never gave me anything!

Might want to take a look at this too, Canon has some nice examples of perspective change:
http://software.canon-europe.com …F_Lens_Work_Boo​k_7_EN.pdf

Page 7 of the PDF (or actual page number 127)

Grentz wrote in post #7654895
Might want to take a look at this too, Canon has some nice examples of perspective change:
http://software.canon-europe.com …F_Lens_Work_Boo​k_7_EN.pdf

Page 7 of the PDF (or actual page number 127)

That's the one I was referring to earlier in this thread!