“A real professional wouldn’t shoot a portrait with a 35mm”
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- As you can imagine, I get some negative comments on my videos, which, in most cases, I let go. But when someone has been influenced this much that they need to say that (the title of this video) I kinda feel the need to educate. Coming off my Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 video, this was his comment concerning the 33mm. So here are some images from the Leica Q2 with a 28mm lens. Yes, you can shoot portraits with a 28mm or a 35mm or 33mm - just practice and learn how to best use the focal length.
Spoken like a true professional.
I’m really glad I found your channel, it’s becoming increasingly harder to find people who know what they’re talking about when it comes to photography 🙏🏼
I love 28mm portraits. I think they have a terrific look, whether an environmental/atmospheric portrait, documentary, or intimate. Same goes for 24, 35, 50, 100, and 135. In my experience, every lens is a portrait lens. I agree with what you say here. And lovely work at the end!
The 35mm is my favorite lens, I enjoy showing the environment. I don't own an 85 right now, but I rarely use the 75-300mm that I have. Even when I do use it, I still include the environment in the shot.
I was just realizing while watching this that in 20 years I don't think I've ever *owned* my own 85mm. I have the Pentax 77 (which is phenomenal to be honest), I've used fast zooms now and then that covered it certainly, and I have borrowed an 85 a couple times, but I quite literally don't have one in my house among the many bits of glass I've accumulated, and I'm not sure I ever have.
I wanted to say thank you thank you and once again thank you. I was searching for portraits taken with the Leica Q2 ,the monochromatic one and my biggest concern was the 28 mm. You have Shown me not only can it be done but done well and almost in the portrait style that I’m used to. I have learned one thing at my age is that do stuff for yourself not for others. Bravo
It takes some getting use to but it is amazing for portraits
The Hollywood 28 proved that thought wrong since 1938. I really don’t know the year, but it’s a classic for great films.
So refreshing from another full time photographer without a UA-cam channel yet. You’re a good inspiration. Subscribed.
Thank you very much.
And those are portraits that anyone would be proud of. Well Done!
Thank you. She’s almost always fun to shoot.
@@kaskoPhoto 'almost'...😆
I recently found your channel and I'm a big fan! Mainly because you are a working professional photographer with a UA-cam channel. Not a UA-camr with a channel about photography. Wow, what a difference that makes. It's very refreshing. Thank you.
Wow. I have been taking photos for a very long time but only recently tried my hand at portraits.
This is THE best thought provoking video I have seen. Excellent stuff! You answered a lot of questions I have been asking myself. And your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I love portrait photography. It’s why I got into photography. I looked for years at different portraits that people took & I took note of the lenses used on the portraits I liked. The 2 lenses that I liked most were the 24 1.4 & the 100 2.8 STF. So, the only two primes I own & use for portraits are those two. It’s an easy setup to take with me, though I do need extra light for the 100, cuz the STF acts like a 5.6 but it produces the best backgrounds ever! Thanks for the video. This is the first video of yours I’ve seen. Well done. You got yourself a new sub. Best wishes!
does 28mmf2 will behave like 24 f1.4
Great portraits! The distortion makes the pictures even more interesting and engaging. For those who still think that you can´t make portraits with wide angle lenses, I suggest leaving UA-cam and checking out the work of photographers like Jeanloup Sieff and Antonin Kratochvil, just to name a couple.
I’m currently a beginner photographer and yes, the trend of the “if you have a human in your photo shoot it at 50mm or longer at the widest aperture to be a professional” was really stuck in my head.
Recently I’ve been looking at these 35mm and 28mm focal lengths thanks to Harry Potter 3 and Children of Men, 2 movies by Alfonso Cuarón in which you get almost no bokeh and a loooot of depth. I was like “but how does he get everything in focus in such low light situations, I don’t think he is shooting at f/22. And to my surprise both movies were shot between 24mm and 33mm focal lengths. I would highly recommend for people who still believe bokeh is the only way to make your photos look professional to watch these movies and movies where Emanuel Lubezki is involved.
Some brilliant advice. Some of my biggest inspiration comes from cinematic masterpieces.
Absolutely! I did one recently of my wife on Yashica ML 28mm f2.8 outdoors and I love it - brick behind her with an alley. Context. Right distance from subject means distortion isn’t problem. Heartily agree with you.
Made your point and backed it up with beautiful images. Love it! You earned a new subscriber.
Thank you. And please feel free to add your comments at any time. Love to hear everyone’s opinion.
Your grumpiness and irate tone earned you a sub from me. Please take that as a compliment. I personally detest the trend for “pro” look to be nothing in focus. My favourite lens is the 28mm Elmarit.
I seen a guy at the Grand Canyon use an 85mm 1.2. He could have gotten the same shot in a carpet warehouse for all of the location you would have seen.
Before the record I am just a hobbyist and have fallen into the trap of getting “bigger and better”. I honestly believe that my photos have improved vastly since limiting myself to an m8 and slower lenses. And what’s more, I enjoy using it a lot more.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more videos. Thank you
Thank you, a million times over for saying what I needed to hear. I've been shooting (an artist) for over 30 years. I'm looking to trade in my Sony gear for a Leica q3. While I feel my creativity would be my greatest asset as it's always served me well. I was a little nervous going from my 85mm and other lenses to a fixed 27mm. Life is extremely short and I want to look forward to being more creative and taking more chances and giving more room for growth. Thank you, thank you and thank you.
A real professional wouldn't say "“A real professional wouldn’t shoot a portrait with a 35mm”. Only amateurs and newbies say that.
I love content like this, I wish you good health and joy on your journey. Please keep these videos coming as it brings so much value to our young gen. Your words of wisdom is true gem on this digital era, where it flooded with chart readers and "creamy bokeh" monki
Thank you. It is amazing what a few kind words can mean to someone this early in the morning.
This is the best I've heard in a long time. You're spot on with everything. As a fulltime photographer for the last 15 years I totally agree with everything you said. UA-cam is becoming a place where influencers make up trends and then pushing it down our throats all the time, and I hate it. Keep it up :)
Thank you.
You just opened my mind to thinking outside the box. Thank you.
Thanks for the insights, Sir. I concur. You can shot portraits with any lens. True sign of a professional photographer.
It takes a little extra care on wides but it is worth the effort.
Wow the video I needed, thanks for being so clear and down to earth
Love your approach - I am also over the dreamy bokeh thing - have done most of my recent work with a 28mm and love it - it looks timeless ! Speak out bro!!
Beautiful model with a nice classic look! I’m going to copy that led trick.
My thoughts exactly. Subject and content is really important and being able to express it into art is really essential. 85mm can direct focus to the subject but it is not the rule.
Thanks!
Thank you! That was so damn nice!
Geeeez... That photos look great. Im really impressed by the light setting.
Thank you.
My god. Someone actually made this video. Hats off.
And don't forget: hire starting photographers soon, while they still know everything.
😂😂
Great photographs … a man who clearly knows his craft 👏🏽
Thank you. Really appreciated.
Thanks for this video! IMO people don't understand focal lengths on an personal level anymore: when I see photos taken with a wide lens, I feel right in there, in the action, close to the subject. When I see photos with from a fisheye lens, I feel like the image makes me feel small like a fly. The 35mm, 40mm, 50mm focal lengths are great to start off, very versatile. 85mm is capable of getting such a great look if you try and get creative with it and use it for other stuff besides portraits. It's not about the lens you use, but the vision you have. If your vision is only in 35/50mm, you won't appreciate a 20mm or 28mm lens and feel overwhelmed by an 85mm or longer lens.
Currently I try and work on my vision, try and see the world through different lenses and understand them better. It's fun to try and make great photos regardless of the used lens.
I know this is an old video but I appreciate your candor. "That doesn't matter" is a phrase that only a serious person can say, and is all too rare with UA-cam photog influencers. Also love the examples at the end
Thank you for watching and your input. Really appreciate it.
This is incredible. You are a master. As I'm sure you know, the great street photographer Gary Winogrand shot almost all his work on a 28. I love the 28...in fact...I just bought a Nikon Zf and my next lens is going to be the little 28mm nikkor. Your video inspired me to try it for portraiture. Great shots!
Thank you so much. Enjoy your ZF, it’s as capable as it is fun
"You can shoot a portrait with any lens". True - you just have a clear understanding of what any given combination of focal length, aperture, and perspective will give you. That said the wider you go the more careful you need to be.
I agree. You can do great work with most anything if you have training and are open to it. So many UA-camrs create haphazardly with little training, insight, or even planning of their own presentation.
It really is off the cuff anymore. That is a very good point.
Amen brother. I’ve watched a few of your videos, but this one gave impetus to my subscription. Thanks for sharing this perspective.
Thank you David
Love this !! Platón did not follow the rules , he shot wide Angle , it’s what set him apart . It’s ok to deconstruct the learned and follow the creative process that flows within … 🙏🏻
You sir are a breath of fresh air.
Love it! Standard is standard, extraordinary is extraordinary.
I have, on a few occasions, shot portraits with a 20 mm. Careful about distortion! But it suits some applications. Also, I never shoot portraits wider than f.5, and usually f8 or 11. I've been a pro for 5 decades. I think I'll shoot some portraits with my Nikkor 14-24 just to prove your point & post them on UA-cam.
Well said, I enjoyed it.
Thank you James.
Great thoughts, fantastic content, genuinely loved the end results!
Great point, I can shoot greart portraits with a cheap kit lens 3.5 -5.6 variable. I started shooting on film back in 1999 before digital era and UA-cam. I had to go out and shot and miss up a lot film and read a lot of books figure out my mistakes. Film was not cheap back then that's what made digital so attractive to professional photographer back in film days. All the old head professional photographers I knew back then only had 2 to 3 lens tops. They photographed wedding and portraits and everything in between.
If I did exactly what everyone else does, then I'd be just like everyone else.
I don't want to be like everyone else.
Apparently you haven’t drank the cool-aid
Stumbled upon your channel because I had been wondering if I could use my Q2 to shoot portraits. I really like your no nonsense approach and, like you, I'm also old so I don't give a s**t as well😂. Subbed 😊
I have to say- I love this camera! And yes, “they” say we are just crazy assholes who could have had 10x the camera for the money spent… but the feeling I get when using this camera is absolutely priceless. And at our age, we deserve priceless
@@kaskoPhoto Amen to that!
I agree with everything said here, and just wanted to add an idea: some ppls faces actually look better and/or more true to real life with a 35 or 28mm.
Photographing my wife taught me this, when I first started I always made portraits of her with my 70-200, and it wasn’t u til I started noticing in my more casual snaps with the 35 or 28 that her face looked more true to life and pleasing.
This doesn’t work for everyone (or many ppl honestly) but it is something else to consider.
Experimenting is the best way to find what you like and prefer, stay away from the koolaid!
Thanks for the video.
When I saw the title, I was not sure if you were saying that a real professional would not shoot a portrait with a 35mm lens or a 35mm camera.
😂 I believe that is my best effort at click-bait - as unintentional as it was
I just got home from a wedding. I started the day with a 28mm and ended the night with a 28mm. Once I finish the prep, i usually step down to f2 - f2.8 through the night. It's special great for group shots, but I love it for prep portrait shots. On eos r5, you also have room to crop, if necessary.
I love my sigma 28mm 1.4, but everyone gets annoyed that I don't always shoot at f1.4.
Well if you love the shots and the clients love the shots… they are the only “everyone” that matters.
@@kaskoPhoto that's true. The important thing is the client. I like the speed of the focus and 28mm focal length in a really tight space without the distortion. Also, shooting wide open didn't matter too much in a small space or really close up shots.
I think the client would be happy with various shots I have provided, especially a full body shots, in a small hotel room with 8 adults, 4 kids, and furniture all over the place that was jammed into a corner. 35mm would have provided a 3/4 body shots. 28mm even allowed group shots of a champagne toast in a small room, that's only the size of my kid's room.
Love 28 for environmental portraits. I’ve seen some amazing portraits with 24/25 and even 21. Obviously, not for headshots. Great shots nice set up.
I too have seen some seriously great people photos with wider lenses - they just have that something special in the right hands. It’s fun to work towards.
Hit the nail right on the head bro, it's how you use it and how you express yourself through your art :) If everyone shot the same what a boring world we would live in. Haters will hate brother!
This feels like an Amen moment. Thank you.
Great advice and a beautiful model!!! Thanks
Wow I see that you can shoot portraits with ANY lens!!!. Amazing job. My respect.
Thanks for watching.
I love it. I agree and I like environmental portraits with plenty of depth of field.
Wow ... without using a naughty word . . . These are best images I've seen in a vey long time . . . just Amazing . . . So So please I found your channel
I recently made portraits with even a 20mm f1.8 :) and they are some of my favorites from the shoot!
Master the wides and the rest are a walk in the park!
For the last year I have shot heavily with vintage 50mm film camera glass on my Sony A7.
The bubble, column and cluster bokeh old glass produces is a lot of fun.
I like creamy, too. But as you say...a distinct background is often complimentary.
A little honesty goes a long way. In this case, many miles. Thanks for speaking up about and demonstrating the prospects of wide-angle portraiture.
Thank you for commenting. Much appreciated.
Beautiful black and white portrait
I like the way you spoke straight forward respect and thank you
Thank you for watching.
David Baileys great iconic portraits from the ‘60’s are all from his Rollie medium format fixed lens. Lens equivalent to 28 or 35mm. It depends on the look you require or how that focal length is used. But to say 24,28 or 35mm can’t be used for portraits is utter bollocks.
Your beautiful images with the model proved this.
Love the channel btw.
So much common sense there! A refreshing finding. Someone who talks about photography in the era of Bokeh Kingdom. You have a new sub.
Thank you. Yes, I am the photography side of things much more that a gear fanatic.
Briliant video and fantastic tips for us getting into photography. I was recently stunned by a portrait I shot w/ a 28mm lens (Leica Q). Dig your channel - Thank you!
Thank you!
Thanks! That's why I love your videos! I shoot mostly portraiture and street and in my Canon days I used the 85mm and the 50mm most of the time just like anybody else.
When I switched over to Fujifilm I started using the 35mm (23mm f2) most of the time, it became my favorite focal length and I realised I was much better off shooting at f2.8, f4 or even f5.6.
The photographers I really look up to were shooting in the 30s, 40s and 50s, obviously with film and in black and white, and there was no such thing as 85mm f1 2 or 50mm f0.95 lenses back then.
Their images included the environment and had texture, yet their portraits popped up anyway, but everything else in the background mattered too and made a difference.
I don't mind creamy bokeh if that's what people like but I don't see the point of systematically blurring the background when it adds texture, context and perspective.
Thanks again and have a great day!
I just have been through to many trends since 1982… and each and every time, they are beaten to death to a point of obnoxious. Now with social media… everything looks like the same photographer took every shot when 85 1.2 / 1.4 is the norm.
As an old foggy myself, i enjoy your rants
Nice to see your channel growing since I last visited 👍🏼
The results...incredible mate.
Excellent images and a nice catch from the model.
Thanks a lot for clearing the confusion!
I'm thrilled! Very cool! Thanks!
I just stumbled across this video and got a good chuckle… I routinely shoot portraits and headshots at 5.6-11 and think that anybody who chronically shoots wide open is an amateur. There’s a time and a place for that, but if most of their face isn’t in focus, that’s kind of a problem.
But it’s trendy 😂 Thank you for your view on this (and mine)
@@kaskoPhoto lol, let me guess, these are the same people that "only shoot natural light"? Yeah, it's trendy among people who likely don't actually shoot much. Pretty much every working photog I know that actually makes a living shooting photos and shoots pretty much every day rarely shoots wide open. There's a time and a place for that stuff, but if you want to consistently produce good photos that show a good amount of detail, wide open isn't it. The same goes for lenses. Shoot from the distance that gives you the perspective you want, then pick an appropriate lens that gives you the composition and character that you want. There are no rules when you're being creative.
I’m glad that I found your channel John.
I’m glad you did too! Thanks for watching.
I recently did a portrait of a gentleman who was kind enough to allow me to make an image of him at a bar with a what I had at the moment, which was a 20 mm believe it or not , I was surprised just how well it came out . Looking at a 28mm as my next prime . Glad I came across this post !
WoW, I love 💕💕 the pictures. I never used my Zeiss 28mm f2 so close to the model. So inspirational
Give it a spin!!
Great video. The title of your video (from a youtube comment) is the ongoing problem that happens when a load of social media influencers start influencing on mass without really knowing what they're talking about. They stay rigid in their approach and really don't understand or grasp the free-flowing creative process. There are no hard set rules, only guidelines in the beginning to get one started. After that, explore what resonates with you because we all have our own niche, simple.
Very well said.
Hey great video. I really like when people show their process of shooting and the end result.
“I’m not being an asshole, I’m really not…” Love that quote, I tell myself that all the time (about myself)
The world needs more brutal, not asshole-ish honesty on any number of subjects, but hey we’re talking about photography here. Loved this video, time well-spent.
Love it! The fotos have a great Fashion vibe!
I have never understood the whole lens genre thing. I love shooting landscapes at 85-90mm. Great video.
Thank you.
Julia Trotti is a fashion photographer and her favorite lens is the 35mm. She takes really fun photos.
I use a 28-70 f 2.8 does portraits fines, sometimes I use a 70-200 f2.8 too. Any lens used with good light, settings and composition will work. One of my best portraits was shot on an old Nikon D7100 with a 150-500 old sigma lens, outside on a sunny day and up there with the best.
I do love compression!
Your model is gorgeous
The truth has been spoken. 🙏 Awesome pictures by the way on the end of the video!
Thank you. Appreciate it
Really great portraits - it really emphasised your point - well done !
I better say: "A real professional can shoot a portrait with whatever camera and lens he has on his or her hand, because that is what a PRO!"
The look amazing! Great job!
your shots are 🙌🏼 👉🏼 🔥💪🏼💪🏼!!
no need to apologize for your ‘rant’ … never apologize for sharing knowledge, truth / facts and clearly legit well shot images that prove how most arm chair “photographer” know very little about the art of creativity and correct use of various mm lenses and the FoV they can provide for a specific mood/look etc!!
Same type of people out there that shoot landscapes and think they should never use a telephoto lens because wide 24mm to 70mm is all one needs 🙄 Use 200-400mm and their frigg’n heads explode 🫣😮🤯
🤣🤣 silly rules are for fools!!
loved this vid!! Thank you!
You certainly can. Wide angle portraits are way more interesting. Nice work.loved the rant!
It is very interesting and very true that a good portrait can be taken with ANY lens ! RS. Canada
Thank you. I learned something today!
You’re very welcome.
Of course you can. And what a beautiful model here! 😊
Firstly - stunning images.
You absolutely Nailed it, on all of your points. This so-called Bokeh revolution really magnifies the point that there aren't many true photographers out there. And don't get me started on the crowd that pushes the 'Rules' of photography.
Absolutley beautiful
Expert commenter: The bass is not a solo instrument.
Victor Wooten: (yawn)
Stunning portraits mate. I'm with you on the 28mm...you just need to know how to use it and have a purpose.
35mm is my favorite lens to use It’s the first lens I pick up every time I’m not sure if I’m missing out on anything but I don’t even use my 85mm I plan on using it more this year.
Same here. 28 to 45mm are my favorite do-alls. In my top three all-time is the Pentax 31mm. I haven't even owned an 85mm for 10 years or more.
At that distance you must fix the geometric bulging of 28mm for the bulb effect to flatten the distortion. Do you use lens correction filter in Photoshop? I know q2 is amazing at correcting the lens already on it and it is a remarkable lens! I own a Q2 Monochrome right now and love it.
Agreed. It is how you use the lens. I wouldn't get right up in someone's face with a wide angle lens as it distorts their features for sure. Take a few steps back.
Yes! 35mm is actually a nice focal length and nice work proving them wroy
I see this critique a lot on YT, in my opinion some people get so wrapped up in the "norms" of what lens a "pro" uses that they forget that photography is a medium for artistic expression. The correct lens to use is whichever you decide to attach to your camera to achieve the look you want to create. Yes, there are industry standards but if you choose to create something different, the lens you choose makes you an artist not just a pro.
Subbed because of this video. Laughed so hard and cringed at the same time when you forced out “creamy bokeh” lol. Totally agree with you.
i freaking love this video. I have those youtubers posing as real photographer