What lens is best for portraits?

• A. Wide Angle
• B. Telephoto
• C. Standard
• D. Macro

Answer: (C)

A lens that renders facial features with natural proportions and allows you to work at a comfortable distance is ideal for portraits. A standard lens around 50mm on a full-frame camera (and its equivalent on crop sensors) gives a natural perspective that matches how we see people in real life. It minimizes distortion that happens with closer wide shots and stays versatile for different portrait styles, from tight head-and-shoulders to more relaxed environmental portraits.

Wide-angle lenses are uncomfortable for close portraits because getting in close can distort the face, making features look exaggerated. Telephoto lenses can be great for flattering compression and shallow depth of field, but they require more space and can feel less natural in tight settings. Macro lenses are built for extreme close-ups of tiny subjects and aren’t suited for typical portrait distances or framing.

So, a standard lens offers a balanced perspective, good working distance, and versatility for most portrait scenarios, which is why it’s the best general choice.