What is ideal distance to subject for head and shoulder portraits?

Question

Perspective is a matter of distance and has an effect on facial features and the observed three-dimensional feeling in a two-dimensional photograph. Proper lighting is a big part of this, but that's another question. First I'd choose the distance between camera and subject. I prefer close-up portraits that show only the head and partial shoulder, if even that much. How close to my subject should I go to have natural facial proportions, given that I have a choise with it? Not talking about candid photos taken at opportunity.

My problem is that I don't feel comfortable to be at so short distance to a person I'm photographing. If the situation allows I want to be several meters away from subject, but then with too long distance the result is a "flat" face.

These images were shot from distances between under 1 meter to over 4 meters:

You see I'm only a beginner in portraits, trying to learn as I go on.

Quote from cameras.about.com "Perspective in photography refers to the dimension of objects and the spatial relationship between them."

In a portrait photo we use distance between camera and the subject in such way to create a pleasing and hopefully natural looking perspective. I like a pretty tight crop of only face, neck and usually only one shoulder fully inside frame, sometimes not even that much. I believe it is priority to be at the right distance, and secondary to choose the right focal length of lens. I hope I'm clear enough that I am not asking for recommendations for lens focal lengths. This question is about the distance between camera and subject's face.

At what distance do experienced portrait photographers take their head and shoulder shots?

Answer 1

This is a good question but many of the existing answers seem really convoluted and off the point.

All that matters is distance to the subject, as this is what defines the distortions of facial features.

Focal length is a secondary issue. If you use a wide angle lens, and you are at an optimal distance for a good portrait, you get a lot of the background included in the image. You can crop this image to get the similar field of view as with a zoom lens. You choose a longer focal length to increase bokeh and sharpness that would be lost by cropping the image in post processing.

The optimal length depends on the facial features as some faces seem more pleasing if they are more flat and others seem better if a bit nearer. My experience is that the distance providing most natural photos is between 1.5 meters (5 feet) and 4 meters (13 feet). The flattening above 4 meters can provide an artistic view, but going below 1.5 meters will give you distortions that won't seem natural.

Case in point, I added a quick set of images of my face that seems to look really flat and unatural already starting at 4m due to my facial features. Photos are taken with a canon L zoom lens with a set focal length and aperture (ie. photos are cropped).

Answer 2

It really depends on the kind of shot and what conditions allow. That's why I answered in terms of focal lengths.) Shooting around the 65-85mm effective range is generally considered the most natural and most common, but if you want to flatten the image more, you can push it out to the 105-155 range. There are also some shots that work well in the 24-50 range, particularly when people aren't directly facing the camera or when you really want them to pop out from the scene and have maximum background blur with a short distance to the background.

I wouldn't describe the look up close as caricature or funny, but it is certainly a different look. It also generally seems to help if there is just a bit of barrel distortion to give it that slight fisheye look that makes the facial features appear to stand out less. Some of my favorite photos I've taken of my wife are actually shot in this range, but they are more face and neck focused, but it gives them a very intimate feel like you are right there with the person (that is if you can pull the shot off without facial features being a distraction.)

I also find I tend to like being fairly close for at least a couple of head and shoulder kiss or pre-kiss shots at weddings. This is again because it benefits from the intimacy that the close angle gives and since they are facing each other, noses stand out less. Again however, exactly how you compose and angle the shot is key to making it work when working in that close and it certainly isn't for every (or even most) shots.

As far as physical distance goes, I'd estimate I'm often within the 3 feet to 6 feet range though depending on the type of shot I'm getting though. 10 feet or 12 feet for more body or full body.

Answer 3

The primary reason you don't want to use wideangle lenses for portraiture is perspective distortion. You have to get close to the subject, and that perspective greatly emphasizes some facial features such as the size and shape of the nose in a very unflattering manner. On the other hand, if you're purposely going for a "funny" or "caricature" look (and know your subject has no problem with it) a (ultra)wideangle lens might be just what you want. The close perspective often works nicely when photographing toddlers or pets. I also agree with AJ Henderson's point that it can be a useful tool for giving a photo an intimate feel.

85-135mm lenses (or 50-85 on APS-C) are long enough to give a flattering perspective but not so long that you need to back off so far that things get completely impractical. They're also long enough that the background will be magnified and blurred so as to not be distracting.

Answer 4

I would say the focal length (or you might say the distance to the subject) doesn't really matter. You should use a lens/focal length with a minimal distortion and probably you'll want a nice bokeh too.

Usually, lenses with minimal distortion and nice bokeh have short focal length (50mm-105mm) and also bigger aperture. Big aperture (F/1.4-F/2.8) will reduce the DOF, thus, creating a better out of focus background (bokeh).

According to this, theoretically, you can take a good portrait shot with a 500mm lens, the problem is that you'll have to stand far a way from your subject, you'll have to be very steady to avoid loss of sharpness and you probably won't have a 500mm lens with a 1.8 aperture.

Regardless the lens you choose I would recommend using a big aperture and placing your subject as far as you can from the background. This will improve the bokeh and will emphasize your subject.

I use my Canon 50mm F/1.8 and sigma 105 F/2.8 for portraits, both give nice results, both are prime lenses. I'm stating that because prime lenses quality (in terms of sharpness and distortion) is usually better then zoom lenses and this also affects the result. I find it hard to believe someone will throw thousands of dollars to buy a 600mm prime lens to take some portrait shots while he can enjoy the good quality of a cheap 50mm lens.

EDIT

When taking the perspective in account, you'll probably get a classic perspective for portraits in with 50mm-100mm lenses. Having said that, portraits can vary.

You might go for the clasic portrait which be something like that:

Or you might prefer a portrait that tells more about the person, his life, the atmosphere etc.. and here you can go "crazy" with the angle and the focal length, like this one:

EDIT 2

You said you want to choose the distance first and then the lens. In my opinion it's not the best thing to do. I prefer selecting the best lens for the photo and then the rest.

In a prime lens there is no question (as I stated in the comment to your question). With a zoom lens I would say that it depends on your lens.

1. I would avoid very wide angle - it creates unnatural perspective and most of the time not a flattering distortion.

2. I would check in what focal length my lens does not distort the image.

3. I would try to get the focal length with the widest aperture (In case it changes and not fixed)

Again, I don't think that you'll get a correct absolute answer that will say "3 meters". I've never seen a photographer with a meter. As far as I know, you should choose your best lens first and then set the focal length + aperture that will give the best result. The distance is only the outcome after optimizing the other parameters.

Answer 5

You THINK you don't notice the increase in the size of the nose and other perspective effects until you eliminate them with a shot taken from a distance. If you decide you want no exagrration of any features and a "flat" perspective you pick a long distance to stand from your subject. That distance essentially determine the lens' focal length. You pick a lens that will allow the subject to fill as much of the frame as you desire then you take your photo after adjusting aperature, shutter, etc. to taste.

It doesn't take an 11mm to create a lot of distortion. IMO you need to go over 40mm to eliminate most of the perspective and get an image where the closest parts of the face like the tip of the nose don't change in focus from the back of the ears. IMHO one needs to be a minimum of 6 feet away to take an undistorted portrait, with distortion decreasing with increasing distance although if the distance gets too far the subject will get too small and need to be cropped. If I look at two side by side photos of myself with one taken at 3 feet and one at 6 feet there is a HUGE difference. TRY IT! Crop the edges off the one taken at 6 feet and make them the same size. You'll see what I mean about your nose looking bigger due to the distance of the camera to the subject.