Best fashion photography lenses
4 Recommended Lenses For Fashion And Portraiture
Fashion and portrait photography are two similar intertwining threads intricately woven throughout the same fabric. Each genre of photography is used to influence one another’s unique point of view and is then captured through a unique lens for a differing viewpoint.
While both fashion and portraiture are used to ultimately tell a story, the unique characteristics of that storyline can be greatly expounded upon with the various focal lengths paired with the angles that we choose to utilize in our captured frames.
When it comes to choosing the best lens for fashion portrait photography, there’s a multitude of choices at your disposal. Ranging from fixed focal length prime lenses and the multiple pluralities offered by zoom lenses, there really isn’t a wrong choice. It all comes down to personal preference.
Each focal length provides photographers with pieces of glass that are suitable for capturing images with unique angles, ultimate sharpness, and an aesthetic or look that the lens is predominantly known for.
The following lenses are the best lenses for fashion and portrait photography that come highly recommended by working fashion photographers to ignite or elevate your current body of work.
- 50mm prime lens
- 85mm prime lens
- 35mm prime lens
- 24-70mm zoom
Egith of Wilhelmina Models, Los Angeles captured with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens.
50mm Lens
If there were to be a recommendation for the single most versatile lens on the market, the 50mm lens would be it. Often referred to as the nifty fifty, the focal length is hands down the best all-around prime lens for portraiture and fashion photography.
The 50mm lens is known as one of the most powerful workhorses in the industry because of its portability and adaptability. They are one of the lighter lenses in the photography industry and are quick to focus on almost any and all lighting conditions, making it an ideal lens in the fast-paced world of fashion where speed is of virtue.
The focal length of the 50mm lens is wide enough to capture full body length as well as 3/4 body length frames in tighter spaces that fashion photographers rely on to showcase the designs. The slight distortion of this particular prime lens creates more angular frames that are ideal for lengthening our subjects while simultaneously creating a subtle slimming effect.
This focal length is my personal lens of choice when it comes to working with men’s portraiture and enhancing the architectural curvature of their bone structure without depending on the light to carve out their visage. 50mm is also a natural focal length choice when it comes to providing a little more height to female models and women in general.
Ilias of Red Models NYC captured with Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens.
Portrait photographers rely heavily on the 50mm lens because it offers a striking balance of the background with closer proximity to the subject for environmental portraits.
This compromise makes it easier to establish a scene within a narrative for a fashion story or editorial. It also is ideal for photographers who specialize with personal branding as the prime focus.
While there is a slight distortion, it is minimal enough that the 50mm focal length can also be used to capture tighter crops and portraits in a desirable manner. The 50mm lens is just wide enough to begin to achieve the unique ground-up perspective for unique angles that are heavily sought after in fashion while providing the option for sufficient bokeh from a slightly different perspective.
It is also light enough that image stabilization isn’t a prerequisite to achieving stunning results. Because of this simplicity and versatility, fashion photographers have orchestrated entire model test shoots using only a 50mm lens.
Christine of APM Model Management, NYC captured with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens.
Pricing for 50mm lenses is relatively inexpensive, starting under two hundred dollars for an entry-level f/1.
8. The price tag naturally compounds as we move towards an aperture of f/1.2 and the newest highly esteemed mirrorless options. The more expensive offerings come equipped with weather sealing as well as better bokeh.
Seeing as how the 50mm easily adapts to other genres of photography which aren’t often in a fixed environment such as weddings, street photography, and photojournalism, it is worth it, in the long run, to invest in the glass that will stand up to the environment. Additionally, the wider aperture is ideal for low light situations as well as creating better bokeh which is more suitable for portraiture.
50mm Lens Recommendations
Best Overall Lens
- Sony Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens - $1,498
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L Lens - $2,299
Best Budget Lenses
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens - $349
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens - $446.95
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens - $1,008
My Personal Favorite 50mm Lens
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.
2L USM Lens - $1,399
Allision of Red Models NYC captured with Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens.
85mm Lens
The 85mm lens is perhaps best known as the quintessential portrait lens among photographers. The versatility of capturing striking close-ups as well as full-length frames with sufficient details is the prime reason why this lens is attached to my camera more than 85% of the time.
These medium telephoto lenses are notoriously tack-sharp which is ideal for the details and textures of fabrics in fashion photography while the compression of the longer focal length creates beautiful bokeh, making it easier to separate the subject from the background which is ideal for portraiture.
Whether shooting in natural light conditions or within the studio, these lenses track subjects and focus well. 85mm is also the perfect focal length as it creates just enough distance from the end of the photographer’s lens to the subject while still being able to communicate clearly.
When shooting tighter crops with fashion photography, I especially like to use the 85mm for added drama when playing with light and shadows to accentuate the textures of the hair, skin, and clothing. Although this lens is primarily used for tighter crops and headshots, the overall sharpness makes it a worthy contender for ¾ length shots as well as full-body images where the details are of the utmost importance.
Andrew of Brown Agency captured with Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II Lens.
The depth of field created by the 85mm focal length is easily manageable to create captivatingly moody portraits that make a lasting connection with the viewer. The compression of the lens yields a lot of artistic opportunities for photographers when storytelling by providing a very unique vantage point.
Simply shooting through an object while focusing on the subject adds a level of depth and provides an element of voyeur within the environment, setting the stage to improve the overall feel of the scene.
It has to be said that the science behind the most expensive offerings of these 85mm lenses historically remains largely unchanged and is slightly antiquated at best, not to mention that these heavy hitters are sometimes seemingly as agonizingly slow to focus in less than ideal light as they are heavy.
This is not a bad thing as most of the newer mid to entry-level 85mm lenses being introduced to the market are offering a competitive edge at a better price point that is difficult to say no to.
For example, Sony created an entry-level f/1.8 85mm lens a few years back that performed more akin to a mid-level lens from a prominent competitor that was double the cost. It is quick to focus in an arena of lighting and shooting situations and the image quality is superb. This particular lens is a delight to shoot with and the image quality does not disappoint.
Christine of APM Model Management NYC captured with Canon EF 85 f/1.4L IS USM Lens.
Other companies have since followed suit by introducing lenses that provide image stabilization, a necessary evil as the megapixel arms race continues and the world of photography is migrating to the land of mirrorless at the cost of a mere fraction of a stop reduction.
Canon’s 85mm f/1.4L is another shining example of this market trend.
Simply put, it is not necessary to purchase the most expensive 85mm lens in this case if you are shooting with a DSLR or you have been shooting with mirrorless for a while. Now if you are changing over to the newest mirrorless offerings from either Canon or Nikon, be prepared to shell out a lot of money.
Finally, if the opportunity presents itself to rent the creme de la creme Zeiss 85mm lens, I highly recommend indulging in the beauty and change of pace the manual masterpiece has to offer.
85mm lens Recommendations
Best Overall Lens
- Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Apo Planar ZF.2 Manual Focusing for Nikon - $4,490
Best Budget Lenses
- Sony FE 85mm F1.8 E-Mount Lens - $598
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens - $1,199
My Personal Favorite 85mm Lenses
- Canon EF 85mm 1.4L IS USM Lens - $1,599
- Sony FE 85mm F1.4GM G-Master E-Mount Lens - $1,798
Michala of Major Models NYC captured with the Canon EF 35mm f/1.
4L II USM Lens.
35mm Lens
35mm lenses are tools of specificity and they are often revered as the storytelling lens for their ability to capture more than simply a pretty picture. The 35mm focal length is ideal for incredible environmental portraits where the subject is the main focus for both portrait and fashion photography.
It can also be used to create a more intimate connection with the viewer by creating portraits that feel as though the subject or model is in close enough proximity to reach out and touch. Fashion photographers often rely on this viewpoint and capitalize on this in order to create a sense of intimacy and connection with the viewer when bringing a fashion story to life.
The 35mm focal length is an interesting lens because it can be rather challenging for photographers to utilize when it comes to incorporating people into the environment and it does require practice to become well versed with the desired angles to facilitate the overall scene.
That being said, it is easy to fall in love with this lens once the user has become acquainted with and embraced its nuances. The 35mm focal length is one of the very best lens choices to successfully incorporate and communicate a story within our imagery for portrait and fashion photography.
Michala of Major Models NYC captured with the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Lens.
On a full-frame camera, the 35mm lens provides an image quality that is reminiscent of a wider lens on a medium format film camera body. This timeless look set the precedence for the standard of fashion photography from its inception and it will continue to be sought after for years to come.
The 35mm focal length is wide enough that it provides only a slight distortion and yet it isn’t so unrealistic that the overall frame becomes fallible; its point of view remains true. This is an exemplary perspective when capturing environmental portraits, especially for commercial branding sessions, where the entirety of the environment is necessary to convey the specific point of view.
Michala of Major Models NYC captured with Canon EF 35mm f/2 Lens.
When it comes to shooting in small spaces such as a car or the back of an AirStream, the 35mm offers proximity to the subject that can be so close that it feels as if we are invading their personal space while at the same time providing the viewer with the sense that they are part of that scene. It creates just enough separation from the background, maintaining the subject as the main focal point of interest.
Last but not least, the focal length of the 35mm lens allows fashion photographers and portrait photographers alike to capture entire full-length images in a thriving city background safely. Once this lens becomes second nature, it is difficult to put down and its unique perspective often unleashes endless creativity. I have yet to work with a 35mm lens at any price point that has failed to provide the intended results.
35mm Lens Recommendations
Best Overall Lens
- Sigma 35mm f/1.
4 DG HSM Art Lens - $899
*This lens is the best overall value as well for the price point.
Best Budget Lenses
- Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens - $599
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens - $499
- Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 E-Mount Full Frame Lens - $748
- Tamron SP 35mm f1/8 Di VC USD Lens - $599
My Personal Favorite
- Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Lens - $1,799
Elle of Glacier Model Management captured with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens.
24-70mm lens
For those photographers that do not naturally gravitate towards prime lenses or prefer to have more of a one size fits all option, the 24-70mm lens will be your go-to lens. It offers a one-stop-shop for most of the focal lengths that are relied upon for fashion and portrait photography alike. It may actually be the all-around best lens for fashion and portrait photography.
While it doesn’t offer the same bokeh as the high end 85mm lenses, the compression is more than sufficient to separate the subject from the background and not detract from the story being told.
In fact, it is a gratuitous compromise that runs parallel between the benefits of the 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses.
The convenience of the 24-70mm focal length allows fashion photographers to stay in one place and capture a multitude of crops of the exact same image without having to work or move around the subject. This is essential for capturing lookbooks where hundreds of looks are being shot as quickly as possible. A 24-70mm zoom lens can be used to shoot an entire story, both fashion and commercial portraiture alike, while offering unique angles and perspectives.
The 24-70mm lens is also a lens to be used for embracing distortion. Playing around with the never-ending variety of angles and perspectives is as much fun as it is artistically liberating. The distorted look is heavily embodied throughout the realm of fashion photography to create a mood while simultaneously accentuating the product being sold.
The distortion facilitated by shooting at a wider focal length from the ground up yields a sense of power and presence while also highlighting the fashion being worn.
Adversely, shooting down at the subject can create a sense of belonging while focusing on an item such as a purse or pair of shoes makes for a playful fashion image.
Elle of Glacier Model Management captured with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens.
These same characteristics and ideals are used by portrait photographers to influence how we can use the 24-70mm focal length to capture our clients. We shoot up at our subjects when we want to convey a sense of strength and confidence.
We shoot at both eye level and even slightly down at our portraiture subjects in order to showcase a feeling of approachability and even slight vulnerability, making the overall frame that much more believable and impactful.
The drawback of these lenses is that they are not the most ergonomically friendly lens to work with. Additionally, their convenience and ability to encapsulate such extreme varieties comes at a steep cost, often upwards of $1,000. It is worthwhile, however, to invest in something of this caliber to ensure the best array of image quality options for our clients.
24-70mm Lens Recommendations
Best Overall Lenses
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens - $2,299
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/28 GM G Master E-Mount Lens $2,198
Best Budget Lenses
- Nikon Z 24-70mm f/f S Lens for Z Series Mirrorless - $996.95
- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM IF Art Lens - $1,299
- Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens - $1,199
My Personal Favorite Lens
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens - $1,699
Michala of Major Models NYC captured with the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Lens.
Final Thoughts
Proper lens choice paired with thoughtfully planned out and executed angles can take an ordinary fashion or portrait photoshoot and improve upon the overall quality of the images produced. As the world is steadfastly moving to all things mirrorless, it isn’t necessary for portrait and fashion photographers to keep their current lineup of glass and buy a quality adaptor such as a Metabones to make the transition easier.
It is also never a bad idea to purchase one main lens and rent the other pieces of glass to explore their capabilities and ultimately choose what is the best fit for your camera bag. Many fashion photographers working in the industry own minimal gear and will rent the best camera bodies accompanied by the best high-end lenses for the job, ensuring high overall client satisfaction.
Whether the preference is multiple primes or a more one size fits most approach with a zoom lens, these lenses are sure to aid in adding to the narratives that we tell when it comes to capturing our clients.
Brittany is a fashion and portrait photographer working in NYC, Montana, and LA. She specializes in the development and placement of models.
http://brittanysmith.co
The Best Lenses for Fashion Photography • The Fashion Camera
A question I often get asked is which lenses are best for fashion photography. It’s a tricky question because the answer is not only subjective, it also depends on your budget and photography style.
I made an easy overview to compare seven focal lengths!
The first thing to consider is the focal length. If you use a camera with an APS-C format sensor, your focal length will be different from full frame sensor camera’s. For example, a 50mm lens will give an effective focal length around 75mm to 80mm at your APS-C sensor camera. I use (and prefer) a full frame camera.
In general, prime lenses offer superior image quality to zoom lenses. This is also because they will have a wide maximum aperture that’s usually between f/1.2 and f/1.8. This enables a tight depth of field, so you can blur the backgrounds and make the person in your picture really stand out. And I’m quite sure this is where you were looking for. Besides the aperture, also the lens’s bokeh is all-important. This is the quality of defocused areas, and the aim is to produce a smooth blur effect. When your lens features a well rounded diaphragm, the bokeh will be good. The use of a maximum aperture is great for portraits and fashion shots, because this makes the focus of the viewer at the model and her clothes and not somewhere in the background.
All the photos are made with the same camera (Canon 5D mark IV) and same settings. (S 1/320 – F/2.8 – ISO 100) And 3 meters distance between model and photographer. Minimum editing.
24-70mm f/2.8 lens | 3 meter distance to model
Personally, I’m using the 24-70mm f/2.8 L very often for editorials and studio shoots. The 24-70mm is also a populair lens for every kind of photography because you can always use it. The 24mm is great for total shots and to give an overview of the location where you are working. With this lens you can also use the focal length of 50mm and when you would like to go closer, you just zoom in till the 70mm. I always use the 70mm for half-total or close-up shots. If you like to have the zoom function or when you don’t have the time to switch between prime lenses, this lens will be a perfection option for you.
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
35mm f/1.4 lens | 3 meter distance to model
The 35mm f/1.
4 is my favorite at this moment! When working on beautiful locations, this is the best option. With a 35mm I’m able to show enough details of the background (the location) but the focus is still on the model and her clothes. The wider focal length will make an interesting angle, where sometimes the 50mm can be a bit boring. The 35mm allows you to be more creative!
Sigma 35mm ART f/1.4
Canon 35mm f/1.4
Nikon 35mm f.1.4
50mm f/1.4 lens | 3 meter distance to model
The 50mm is an all time favorite for every photographer. The focal length, when used with a full-frame sensor, has been widely considered to match the perspective seen by the human eye. There are three different types of the 50mm available, you can buy this lens with an aperture of f/1.2 or f/1.4 or f/1.8. The last one is a cheaper, but still a good option if you are new in photography. A few years ago I started to work with the 50mm f/1.8 and fell in love. Later I also worked with the f/1.
2 and f/1.4 and didn’t saw a big difference between the results, so I decided to buy the 50mm f/1.4 and I’m using it every photo shoot again.
Sigma ART 50mm f/1.4
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Nikon 50mm f/1.4
85MM F/1.4 LENS | 3 METER DISTANCE TO MODEL
I absolutely love the focal length of 85mm for portraits and fashion and portrait work! The Sigma ART 85mm is tested as the sharpest lens ever and this is my favorite new lens that I will use for all my shoots, but the f/1.8 is great option if you want a good prime lens if you are on a budget. Click here to read my review of this lens. (In Dutch or in English).
Sigma ART 85mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Nikon 85mm f1/.8
100mm f/2.8 L lens | 3 meter distance to model
This lens is great on location, because of the focal length of 100mm you need some space between you and the model otherwise you are really close! Or if you are working in a big studio where you have the space to take a step backwards, it’s also a good option to work with this lens.
I use the 100mm when I like to have a very sharp focus and a perfect soft feeling in the background. Actually buy real viagra usa this is called a macro lens, so it’s great when you would like to make a beauty shot or a close-up of a product or the clothes.
Canon 100mm f/2.8
Nikon 105mm f/2.8
+ I can highly recommend these lenses too, but I don’t own them (yet?!)
the 70-200mm f/2.8 L and the 135mm.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 L telephoto zoom lens is also used for portraiture because you can decide to zoom between the 70 and 200mm. With this lens you can capture your model from a long distance and create the famous soft background. Still not enough options? You can also have a look at the 135mm prime lens!
For my Olympus Pen mirrorless camera, my absolute favorite is the Olympus 25mm f/1.2 lens.
It’s also about personal preferences and of course about money. Some lenses can be really expensive, but in the end they are worth it.
Just find out if you like to work with prime lenses or if you prefer to have the ability to zoom. Enjoy!
Also read my post about: What Camera Should I Buy?
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With the addition of a pair of full-frame mirrorless cameras to his inventory, Jaroslav Monchak has changed his photography process.
In the world of fashion photography, both digital SLR and mirrorless cameras are used, and Canon Ambassador Jaroslav Monchak is no exception. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 50mm, 1/640 sec, f/4.0 and ISO320. © Yaroslav Monchak
Fashion photographer and Canon Ambassador Jaroslav Monchak is trying out commercial projects with Canon's full-frame mirrorless cameras.
According to him, the trial work with the Canon EOS R5 model completely changed his views.
Yaroslav has been in the fashion world for a decade now, but with the release of the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera, after which he was able to work with the Canon EOS R5, his workflow has undergone some changes. For more creative photo shoots, Yaroslav prefers to use the EOS R and Canon EOS R5. At the same time, he chooses the Canon EOS 5DS R for commercial projects, an approach that makes it easy for him to produce high-quality images, no matter what type of work he is doing. “Canon's full-frame mirrorless cameras offer fast autofocus and superior performance in such a compact body. This is a real revolution,” says Yaroslav. nine0007
Yaroslav is a member of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers and represents Ukraine in the international photographic community, so it is very important that he can create photos of the highest level in both natural and studio lighting conditions.
“Lighting is the most important factor for me,” he says. “I like to work with both natural and studio light, but I try not to mix different types of lighting.”
This means that the optical quality of his lenses must match the high resolution and wide dynamic range of his cameras. Yaroslav is also the founder of the Lighthouse School of Photography and has to try new things in the photography industry on his own in order to share all the relevant information with his students. nine0007
Let's find out how the fashion photographer uses the Canon EOS R5, as well as other cameras and lenses that Yaroslav uses in his work.
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The Canon EOS R5's 45 MP image sensor offers photographers like Yaroslav the best features of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras - similar resolution to the Canon EOS 5DS R and the benefits of a full-frame mirrorless camera.
In particular, Yaroslav was very impressed with the performance of the autofocus system and eye tracking technology. Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/125 sec, f/2.8 and ISO400. © Yaroslav Monchak
After testing the Canon EOS R5 , Yaroslav was satisfied with the stable operation of the camera. “Of the 2,000 photos I took, I couldn’t find a single one that was blurry,” he says. Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 50mm, 1/200 sec, f/2.8 and ISO2000. © Yaroslav Monchak
1. Canon EOS R5
“At the moment I'm still working with the Canon EOS R, but I had the opportunity to take a few shots with the Canon EOS R5,” Yaroslav says. — I read a lot about the Canon EOS R5, in particular about the autofocus system and the eye tracking function. I tried it and was surprised at how quickly and accurately the camera focuses on the subject.”
Canon EOS R5 AF uses deep learning AI to enable the system to recognize and track the subject's face and eyes with improved accuracy.
Yaroslav immediately appreciated the impact of the new technology on the results of the work. “Of the 2,000 photos I took, I couldn't find a single one that was blurry, and that's really impressive! You can simply select a composition and press the shutter button. This allowed me to work much faster and focus on interaction with the model, lighting and composition.” nine0007
Canon EOS R5
Innovative 45MP full-frame sensor, up to 20 fps. and an improved autofocus system, the Canon EOS R5 delivers high performance and ease of use.
More information
With the Canon EOS R5 on the equipment list, Jaroslav was also able to appreciate the quality of the JPEG files produced by the camera. “I shoot 90% of the time in RAW, but there are times when I shoot in JPEG, especially in good light. Files produced by the Canon EOS R5 have pleasing colors, and this is especially noticeable when you pay attention to the midtones and skin tones. This saved me a lot of time that I would have had to spend on processing RAW files.
” nine0007
In this photo commissioned by the clothing brand, the jewelry on the model's clothes is illuminated by an ultraviolet lamp, an effect Yaroslav managed to enhance by painting the model's hands with ultraviolet paint. UV light is very dark, so Yaroslav also placed an LED panel next to the UV lamp and coated the LEDs with a blue gel to ensure correct exposure and maintain color tone. A red gel-covered light source in the background adds depth to the shot. Taken on a Canon EOS R with a Canon RF 50mm F/1.2L USM lens at 1/160 sec, f/2.8 and ISO2500. © Yaroslav Monchak
2. Canon EOS R
“I usually use the Canon EOS R for personal photography where I have a little more creative freedom,” says Yaroslav. - From the camera, I first of all require decent color reproduction and the ability to accurately convey the lighting qualities of the scene. Canon equipment has always been great at these tasks, and the Canon EOS R is no exception. The colors in the photographs look realistic even without post-processing.
Yaroslav also notes that despite the much lower degree of importance of ergonomics compared to image quality and color reproduction, the convenience when working with the camera allows you not to be distracted from the process for a longer time. nine0007
After Yaroslav switched to a full-frame mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder, it took him very little time to master the new camera. “The electronic viewfinder has a slight delay in displaying the image compared to optical viewfinders,” says Yaroslav, “but the advantage of the electronic viewfinder is that you can immediately see the dynamic range that will be captured at the press of a button. So what you see is exactly what you get." nine0007
Canon EOS R
30.3 MP full-frame sensor with impressive levels of detail, high ISO and Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Compatible with the new RF lenses, the Canon EOS R takes storytelling to a whole new level.
More info
This composition was created for Yaroslav's Lighthouse school of photography and is meant to be a tutorial on working with models and showing off the possibilities of using natural light.
To create this photo, Yaroslav used only the light entering the room through the window, and refused reflectors, lamps, flashes and other light modifiers. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/320 sec, f/3.2 and ISO500. © Yaroslav Monchak
3. Canon EOS 5DS R
Mirrorless cameras are growing in popularity, but DSLRs are still popular. According to Yaroslav, they are still a familiar system for professional work. “For commercial orders, I still prefer the Canon EOS 5DS R for its incredible resolution,” he says.
The Canon EOS 5DS R features an impressive 50.6MP full-frame image sensor that delivers stunning levels of detail. “My commercial clients require high quality images, because often these images end up on billboards or banners,” continues Yaroslav. “That's why I choose the Canon EOS 5DS R for this kind of work. I also find the Canon EOS 5DS R has an impressive dynamic range, which allows me to reveal details in post that would otherwise be impossible to capture.
” nine0007
Canon EOS 5DS R
Designed for stunning image quality, DSLR camera with 50.6 MP resolution and low-pass filter suppressor for maximum camera sensor sharpness.
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Image sensors with limited dynamic range can cause loss of data in dark or bright areas, making it difficult for the photographer and not allowing for error. However, the wide dynamic range of the Canon EOS 5DS R allows Jaroslav to enhance images taken in natural light. For example, soft light coming through a window, which is ideal for portraits, loses its brightness very quickly. If objects are located at some distance from the window, the light level may be significantly lower. With the ability to preserve detail in some dark areas, Yaroslav can create fashion portraits in natural light without the use of light modifiers such as reflectors, as well as lamps and other studio lights. nine0007
Yaroslav used the wide aperture of a Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens in low light to create this photograph.
He positioned the model on the right side of the frame and relied on the frame-wide clarity that this lens provides to capture the model best when using a shallow depth of field. Taken on a Canon EOS R with a Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/125 sec, f/6.3 and ISO100. © Yaroslav Monchak
4. Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Like many other portrait and fashion photographers, Yaroslav has been using 50mm lenses for many years, usually prime lenses. He started with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and used it for several years in combination with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens, which gave him new options and a tighter perspective. Yaroslav bought the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens as soon as the model hit the market, as he was impressed with the optical quality and maximum aperture. nine0007
“It delivers fantastic edge-to-edge clarity, especially with the Canon EOS R, a combination I really like,” he says. “To create high-quality fashion photography, I need to make sure my photos come out sharp and clear where I need them, and this lens delivers that level of quality.
In my opinion, it is ideal for working with both natural and studio lighting.
Thanks to exceptional sharpness at the edges of the frame, Yaroslav can place models anywhere in the frame and be sure of decent focus and consistently high definition. And the f/1.2 maximum aperture also allows it to work effectively even in low light. nine0007
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
This stunning RF lens sets new standards in photographic quality, delivering superb sharpness, a range of creative features and great low-light performance.
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Yaroslav photographs models from above and points the camera down to create the right angle. Models posed between two mirrors, and behind them were lamps, which became the main source of light. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 24mm, 1/125 sec, f/4.0 and ISO800. © Yaroslav Monchak
Yaroslav says that the eye detection technology on the Canon EOS R5 allowed him to focus on composition and lighting.
Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 47mm, 1/200 sec, f/2.8 and ISO500. © Yaroslav Monchak
5. Canon EF 24- 70mm f/2.8L II USM
Yaroslav's favorite (and most used) lens at the moment is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. He says: “I really like his range of focal lengths. I usually use it in the studio where the zoom function allows you to create different compositions without having to move the camera.” The use of a 24mm wide-angle zoom lens, combined with an unusual angle, allows you to make a photo story more beautiful and interesting. nine0007
For the photo above left, he set the focal length to 24mm and chose to shoot from above, pointing the camera down. “I took this photo for a fashion designer,” he says. — The purpose of this series of photographs was to convey the elegance of the outfits, so I had to fit them all in one frame. I stood next to the models and chose a wide shooting angle to position the camera between the mirrors that were on either side of me.
There was no more space left in the frame, so I chose the lamps in the background as a light source. nine0007
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
A professional L-series zoom lens for everyday shooting with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 delivering superb image quality.
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Yaroslav also enjoys using the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens for shooting against the sun. “The coverage of the elements on this lens is so good that I can shoot directly into the sun with little to no flare in the images,” he says. “This means clients can get a better view of the model or subject, but I also find this style helps to give the shot a punch.” nine0007
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM has two types of coatings. Super Spectra Coating is optimized for each EF lens to effectively eliminate flare and ghosting, and ensure consistent color balance across all EF lenses. The fluorite coating, in turn, is applied to the front and rear lens elements and protects them from raindrops and fingerprints.
Yaroslav says: “If I had to restart my photography career right now, I would immediately buy a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens for its versatile zoom range and stable maximum aperture throughout this range.” . nine0007
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Canon EOS R
30.3 MP full-frame sensor with impressive levels of detail, high ISO sensitivity and Dual Pixel CMOS AF. “In the electronic viewfinder, you can see the dynamic range that will be captured when the button is pressed. Therefore, you see exactly what you get,” says Yaroslav.
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Canon EOS 5DS R
Designed for stunning image quality, 50.6 MP DSLR with low-pass filter suppressor for maximum sharpness. Yaroslav says: “My commercial clients require high quality images, because often these images end up on billboards or banners. That is why I choose the Canon EOS 5DS R for this kind of work.”
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Canon RF 50mm F1.
2L USM This stunning RF lens sets new standards in photographic quality, delivering superb sharpness, a wide range of creative features and great low-light performance. “This lens delivers fantastic sharpness across the frame,” says Yaroslav. “In my opinion, it is ideal for working with both natural and studio lighting.”
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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Standard professional zoom lens that delivers exceptional image quality and a large f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range. Yaroslav says: “I really like his range of focal lengths. I usually use it in the studio where the zoom function allows you to create different compositions without having to move the camera.”
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