moondigger
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 p.2 #1 · Portrait vs mild zoom lens ?? | |
Phil Davis wrote:
I'm inclined to use a longer lens since it is more flattering, and shooting vertically.
A couple comments about this. First, longer lenses are not more flattering in and of themselves. The only thing that matters when it comes to perspective/facial distortion is the distance between the camera and the subject. The further you are away, the more compression you'll get. Of course a longer lens will allow you to fill the frame from further away, but the actual compression of features happens because of the distance, not the lens. Every rectilinear lens will give exactly the same perspective/flattening of facial features if you use them all from the same distance away.
I bring this up because it's a common misconception and has some bearing on your proposed photo sessions. If you're getting full body shots, you're going to have to stand far enough back that you'll get a flattering perspective even with a 35 or 50mm lens. On a 20D with the crop factor, you're going to be even further back; you could probably use a 24 or 28 mm lens for full body shots and still get pleasing facial perspective. There really is little point in standing 30 feet away from your subjects just so you can get their entire bodies into the frame with a long lens. Use a shorter lens, stand 8-12 feet away, and be confident that you're far enough away for a flattering perspective.
There will be activity around me so I have to be mindful of interference.
All the more reason not to put so much distance between you and your photographic subjects.
However, if there is rain, the alternate is the reception room in the press box, a much smaller space, bad flourescent lighting, dfn CWB stuff.
Consider shooting RAW and adjusting white balance in post processing if you have lighting like this.
I think I should be more specific about "portrait". These are not head shots or even waist high shots. These will be full body shots which almost certainly will include some clever signs/banners conceived by the students.
If the banners are over their heads or particularly wide, then you'll have to stand back even further. A 70-200 on a crop body makes little sense. If the lens list in your signature block is complete, I'm going to have to suggest using the kit lens. Alternately, consider picking up a 28/2.8, 35/2.0, 17-55/2.8 or 24-xxx zoom before the job.
Good luck.
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