Understanding Portrait Lenses Part 2: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace

Understanding Portrait Lenses Part 2: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace


In the second installment of this 2-part tutorial, Mark Wallace demonstrates the differences between wide angle and telephoto lenses for portrait photography. This video debunks the myth that wide angle lenses distort faces, shows why you should use longer zoom lenses in the studio, even a small studio. Mark also walks through the process of using a 35mm lens for environmental portraits.

Related Products at Adorama:

Canon EOS-5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera Body

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM AutoFocus Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens

Leica M Type 240 Digital Rangefinder Camera Body

Leica 35mm f/2 SUMMICRON-M Aspherical

Profoto White Softlight Reflector (Beauty Dish)

Profoto D1 1000/1000 Air Studio Kit, with 2 D1 1000 Watt Second Monolights, Umbrellas, Lightstands & Case

PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter for Canon DSLR Camera

PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver for Canon DSLR Cameras & Flash Units

Photos by Mark Wallace

Model: Natasha Palackovich

Like, share, and comment on the video below…let’s get the conversation started!

If you have questions, please share them below.

Comments

47 responses to “Understanding Portrait Lenses Part 2: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace”

  1. @josephchan4198 Avatar
    @josephchan4198

    This class is great. Hope to see another class from Mark.

  2. @sreeni312 Avatar
    @sreeni312

    โค๏ธโค๏ธEverything is so clear and well explained

  3. @RYstudio202_PA Avatar
    @RYstudio202_PA

    Thank you! VERY INFORMATIVE.

  4. @sanjaykhude7931 Avatar
    @sanjaykhude7931

    Very nice Thank you sir

  5. @lgolden972 Avatar
    @lgolden972

    Your argument is specious, false and misleading. You are correct in saying distance causes the distortion but in order to rid yourself of the distortion you have to back away and then crop the image to head and shoulders instead of getting a full frame image with a portrait lens and not have to crop. So you have reduced your 22 mp camera down to 6 mp when you crop down to 25% in order to get a head and shoulders view without distortion. Or you can use a portrait lens and enjoy the entire 22mp sensor which may be the reason you bought the camera to begin with. Btw, same argument for those that think the "nifty 50" is a good choice for portraits.

  6. @wallacefamily804 Avatar
    @wallacefamily804

    Did anyone else see the orb fly in from Natasha's(?) right should, just above her head at :42? That is not dust or a fly!

  7. @anandbabu909 Avatar
    @anandbabu909

    Mark, lol…you are already having such a big hall for photography. When i am shooting at my home – hall, i never get this much of open space back of the model. That is the main problem what we face to use small space and separating the background/backdrop or avoiding shadows of the subject.
    Wide angle shots are really nice to use portrait at public and resort like places, that too starting at 35mm which won't create any distortion. Even in TV studios, they use this 35mm prime, but not 24mm.

  8. @MediaFXNoosa Avatar
    @MediaFXNoosa

    Yea distortion but it's still perspective,
    The film the Revenant was shot on a 24mm, loved the perspective

  9. @mbkhan1108 Avatar
    @mbkhan1108

    Look who has a hookah!!! Mark, I had no idea you were a fan of hookah….or are you about to break my heart and say that the hookah is just a prop.

  10. @Always1Ambitious Avatar
    @Always1Ambitious

    Wheres Nancy ๐Ÿ˜ญ

  11. @chriscoughlan2040 Avatar
    @chriscoughlan2040

    Hasselblad 500C, 150 Sonnar with No 10 extension tube. f22 for head shot gives nose to ear in focus.

  12. @4rroby Avatar
    @4rroby

    You explain things so well, and you are so articulate! Thanks for being a great instructor.

  13. @wanneske1969 Avatar
    @wanneske1969

    Is Natasha a human or a doll ? ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. @poocky100 Avatar
    @poocky100

    I like your videos. You're a good teacher

  15. @angelaboonephotos Avatar
    @angelaboonephotos

    Mark what is that adapter that attaches the camera to the light stand? I don't even know what words to use to search for it.

  16. @cosmincretu Avatar
    @cosmincretu

    How do you explain the distortion in the corners of an image taken with a wide angle lens?
    Is that because of the distance too?
    This video is so pointless, you explain brainless things like the watchers are babies, "oh look, her palm is closer to the camera, noo ! that doesn't mean it's bigger that her's head" -_-
    Learn physics and remake this video explaining why the distortion happens and what it really is, I'm gonna dislike for now.

  17. @TC_Conner Avatar
    @TC_Conner

    Is that an orb moving across the top, from left to right, at 41 seconds in??

  18. @sauravvermaa Avatar
    @sauravvermaa

    Back side what are you using for background
    Tell the name curtain aur something else

  19. @philiplouispua860 Avatar
    @philiplouispua860

    Simply and clearly explained. By "misnomer", did you mean "misconception"?

  20. @petertoth2350 Avatar
    @petertoth2350

    Best explanation ever on YouTube , thank you, very informational

  21. @DixieDiarist Avatar
    @DixieDiarist

    In a small studio, wouldn't it be better to have a selection of prime lenses, like say a 10mm, an 85mm, and a 50mm and take advantage of the sharper images at known distances with known lighting qualities?

    I did appreciate the demonstration of the difference between small focal length up close and longer focal length further away.

  22. @skdey4945 Avatar
    @skdey4945

    Is it possible to take portraits of group of people (10-12) with wide angle lens i mean to say with nikon 35mm 1.8G. If it is possible then please help me out how to take the portraits of group of people with wide angle lens.

  23. @siby23 Avatar
    @siby23

    what is the camera stand that Mark initially mounted the camera on. seems you can adjust the camera height easily on that.

  24. @philipjacob5878 Avatar
    @philipjacob5878

    what is the camera tripod name that Mark kept the camera in the beginning of the video

  25. @lubomirkotik8870 Avatar
    @lubomirkotik8870

    Hi Mark. I would like to know what are the supporting stands? are they from the floor to the ceiling? and the heavy duty holders for equipment? could you provide me with more info on those? Thanks, Lubomir

  26. @jedteng2650 Avatar
    @jedteng2650

    Her stare pierce through my vein…๐Ÿ™„

  27. @Timinator62 Avatar
    @Timinator62

    I'm glad I saw her blink…

  28. @debanjanmondalphysio Avatar
    @debanjanmondalphysio

    Too much gear use

  29. @fatfro1 Avatar
    @fatfro1

    Are these full frame focal lengths?

  30. @ferhispano Avatar
    @ferhispano

    Great video Mark

  31. @uiffbkttg3945 Avatar
    @uiffbkttg3945

    Chill women. Got it.

  32. @narcovice Avatar
    @narcovice

    sexy

  33. @jjbenz9633 Avatar
    @jjbenz9633

    that woman gives some chills

  34. @johnwescott8694 Avatar
    @johnwescott8694

    Great tutorial Mark. Simple, clean &a concise. I took the rare step of subscribing to a forum

  35. @felrod8409 Avatar
    @felrod8409

    Where did you get that tripod /
    stand?

  36. @holgerlubbert9162 Avatar
    @holgerlubbert9162

    You did a very good job. Short and simple explanations and the right doing afterwards. And the Pictures Shows that. Keep on. You have one subscriber more from Germany!

  37. @paulbernardi2597 Avatar
    @paulbernardi2597

    Well done Mark… as always. Keep them coming.

  38. @Duphe Avatar
    @Duphe

    nice explanation, thank you sir!

  39. @stxteksolutions Avatar
    @stxteksolutions

    You did a great job, Mark! thanks for sharing!

  40. @DarrenHumphries Avatar
    @DarrenHumphries

    I have more fun watching the models looking a bit uncomfortable while Mark talks than anything else. (sorry, Mark!). "Where do I look? Look straight ahead. WHAT"S THAT?! Dammit, look straight ahead! Maintain dead eyes…"

  41. @hroy16231 Avatar
    @hroy16231

    You are remarkably Correct @Mark

  42. @flippingforprofit Avatar
    @flippingforprofit

    Blur the pictures at 6:05 but don't have them blurred at 7:30?

  43. @astheskylarksings Avatar
    @astheskylarksings

    I think going back and defining what a portrait is is extremely important. Some could argue that the coffee pics at the end were not portraits. I have been wondering about that for a bit. Is "portrait" simply an umbrella term for any shot of a person? or is exclusively shoulders to the top of the head?

  44. @DiviPhotos Avatar
    @DiviPhotos

    cool video

  45. @martinraxyz Avatar
    @martinraxyz

    Very informative! Thanks!!!!! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

  46. @juanquispe3494 Avatar
    @juanquispe3494

    He kicked out poor Nancy!

  47. @ahmadfaris8044 Avatar
    @ahmadfaris8044

    beautiful model, I can't be a portrait photographer, i tends to fall in love with them.