Working distance between you and your subject.

Hamster · Apr 26, 2009

I was recently at an Avedon exhitbition and saw some of the background shots, he was working with Larger format and almost 10-15 meters away from the models. Seems he need a megaphone to communicae with his subject.

What kind of working distance do you usually feel comfortable with and how does that relate to the format you use.

WGibsonPhotography · Apr 26, 2009

I shoot 35mm mostly, but I have used 120 in my studio classes at school. I prefered being about 5 or 7 feet away. I'm a quiet, reserved person, and the distance kept me relaxed.

I bought a 70-200mm lens for my 35mm camera because I've been getting in to concert photography here lately, but I have used it for portraits a few times. Using a lens that long, I did have to back up a little bit more (I have to be about 4 feet away for it to even focus), which I like.

AgCl4ever · Jan 23, 2010

Increasingly I am working closer to the sitter or model. I am using a 50 (on 35mm) more and more as my portrait lens because I can work close. I find it makes for a much more within-personal-space look (expressively - who cares about foreshortening). I would go with a 35 or 28 and get even closer but you can only say "who cares about foreshortening" up to about 1 meter (3 feet)! If I could get the viewer to stay .3 meter (a foot) from the print or monitor I would shoot at that distance. Sitters/ models seem fine with working close.

wiltw · Jan 23, 2010

The classic studio portraiture distance was about 8-10', based upon the type of portrait and the most common FL in use for the format to shoot that type of portrait.

fotch · Jan 24, 2010

6 to 10 ft. depending on framing. Format does not matter.

markbarendt · Jan 24, 2010

The distance to your subject defines the perspective. The closer you get the bigger the nose.

This is part and parcel of how the subject interacts with the background too.

Three Owls · Feb 15, 2010

It depends upon my intentions. If I want an intimate feel I often get into a person's personal space more than is traditional with portraits. Maybe I'd say 3 to 5 feet, but it depends. I sometimes feel that nudes and fashion from too far away feel cold, remote and impersonal, which is fine if that's the intent.

Bosaiya · Feb 16, 2010

For macro work sometimes fractions of an inch. I've bumped the subject more than once.

Come to think of it I do that with my people-work as well...

artonpaper · Aug 3, 2010

Thinking back on some of Avedon's pictures, I feel that wasn't always the case. Some are obviously in the 5 - 7 ft range. I don't have an example on hand at the moment, when I get to one, I'll give an example, see if anyone agrees.

Sirius Glass · Aug 3, 2010

wiltw said:
The classic studio portraiture distance was about 8-10', based upon the type of portrait and the most common FL in use for the format to shoot that type of portrait.

Yes, step back. The reason I rarely do portraits is that my father would ask a stranger to take a portrait of them. When they said yes, he would take out his Mamiya C330 and practically shove a lens up each nostril! Seeing all those looks of 'OMG what have I gotten myself into!' has had the effect that I only take portraits of friends.

Steve

Ian Leake · Aug 4, 2010

Typically from 1 to 4 metres, but sometimes closer. And normally with either a 311mm or 476mm lens on 8x10 or 4x5; but other lenses too as the need arises.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 4, 2010

5-7 meters

Ian Grant · Aug 4, 2010

Sometimes less than a metre, I like to get in close with a wide angle lens

Ian

benjiboy · Aug 4, 2010

I usually shoot at whatever distance I can get the area of the subject I want to portray in the shot depending on what focal length I'm using, if It's a head and shoulders I usually on 35mm use an 85mm lens and work at around five feet.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 4, 2010

'If your pictures are not good enough, you're not close enough.'

Rober Capa

2F/2F · Aug 4, 2010

I usually get as close or as far as I need to in order to get the picture to look like I want it to look.

perkeleellinen · Aug 4, 2010

Normally depends upon the minimum focusing distance of the lens, unless the subject is huge or far away.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 4, 2010

perkeleellinen said:
Normally depends upon the minimum focusing distance of the lens, unless the subject is huge or far away.

Does normally really depend on that!

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 4, 2010

Moving farther from the subject and using a telephoto lens provides enhanced isolation of the subject against the background; the reverse is true if the photographer moves in closer with a standard lens, all that background clutter will be included. The effect that results is entirely up to the photographer but unobtrusive, complimentary backgrounds have always been popular in fashion/modelling.

wfe · Jan 12, 2011

I'm all over the map on this one depending on who I'm shooting and what the desired results are. I've been successful from extremely close to the other side of the room with a variety of lenses. One thing that I always do is communicate to the subject to keep them informed. If I feel I need to be extremely close I will ask first which tends to put them at ease.

Maris · Jan 13, 2011

In my studio 99% of all portraits are done at a distance of 1.5 to 2 metres. Why?

In "Western" style societies this is the distance that two strangers set when they are engaged, interested, attentive, respectful, but not invasive of personal space. This gap is so familiar and consistent that facial features, ratio of nose to ears, chin to neck, etc, just look "right".

Once the distance is known framing is organised by choosing the appropriate focal length; long focus for tight face portraits, wide angle for half-figure, and so on.

photoworks68 · Jul 13, 2011

RalphLambrecht said:
'If your pictures are not good enough, you're not close enough.'

Rober Capa

I believe that was related to war photography, if I am not mistaken.

tomalophicon · Jul 13, 2011

Usually the width of the road between my house and the hot next door neighbour's bedoom window ... Wait, should I be saying this here? oliceman:

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2011

RalphLambrecht said:
'If your pictures are not good enough, you're not close enough.'

Rober Capa

I have seen variations of that in almost any basic book on composition. One of the most common composition mistakes is to not isolate the subject from distractions.

Shootar401 · Mar 28, 2012

My studio (spare room) is 15' x 15' and luckily ceilings just as high. If I stand off the model from the background, I usually have 5-7 feet, or closer.

Working distance between you and your subject.

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