How to Shoot Portraits That Don't Distort Faces (Focal Length Guide)

Have you ever taken a photo of a friend and they immediately said, "Delete that, my face looks huge!"? The problem likely wasn't the lighting or the angle; it was your focal length.

Different lenses distort reality in different ways. Understanding this is crucial for portrait photography.

Compression vs. Distortion

Wide-angle lenses (like 18mm or 24mm) exaggerate distance. Whatever is closest to the lens (usually the nose) appears disproportionately large. Telephoto lenses (like 85mm or 200mm) compress distance, flattening features and generally making faces look much more flattering and true-to-life.

The Assignment: If you have a zoom lens, take a headshot of a friend at 18mm (standing very close to them). Then, step back, zoom all the way in to 55mm or beyond, and take the same headshot. Compare the shape of their face in both photos.

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