Datasheet
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
1/4000 sec @ f/1.2, ISO 250
© Thorsten Milse. Canon Ambassador
P
eople make the most incredible
subject for photographers of any
level. And the potential for creativity
is infinite. No two shots of a person will
ever be the same – the slightest difference
in focus, lighting or expression can
uncover a different aspect of mood
or personality.
While there is no one approach to
shooting portraits, there are lots of factors
that can change the look and feel of a
photo. Do you want to pose your subject
or shoot them naturally? Do you want to
shoot from up high or low down?
For close-up portraiture, it’s important
to choose a lens with a focal length long
enough to let you stand a little distance
away, so you don’t crowd your subject.
A 50mm lens on an APS-C camera
is perfect for filling the frame with
someone’s face or just their head and
shoulders. It’ll give you biting sharpness
and contrast so your subject will really
stand out from their surroundings, backed
up by silky smooth out-of-focus areas that
will hint at the subject’s location without
causing distraction. Or, if you are a full-
frame photographer, look at the EF 85mm
f/1.8 USM or the EF 135mm f/2L USM if
you want to stand a little further away.
Choosing a larger aperture such as f/1.8
will allow you to pinpoint the focus to
an area as specific as the eyes. If you’re
shooting your subject side on, you could
set the lens even wider at f/1.2, so that
just one eye is in focus – such shallow
depth-of-field can create incredibly
intense portraits. Just be careful to focus
accurately, as there’s not much room
for error.
TURNING
HEADS
How to make your portraits stand out from the crowd.
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
A higher performance 50mm lens,
with faster USM focusing and a larger
f/1.4 maximum aperture that’s ideal for
close-up portraiture.
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
A classic portrait lens, particularly for
those working with full-frame DSLRs. It
allows you to shoot with the flattering
perspective and shallow depth of field
that professionals love.
People
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