Lisa (Panda Inside) taking pictures on the beach of Kappeln on the Baltic Sea

Exchanging ideas and having fun taking photos on the beach in Kappeln

I also took this picture with the Sigma 105mm Art F1.4, which also provided excellent cropping and a brilliant bokeh for full-body portraits.

Kappeln beach provided the perfect backdrop for our shots. The vast, pristine sands and calm waters of the sea created a scenic landscape that invited us to bring our artistic vision to life. The sun bathed the scenery in a warm, golden light and created a romantic atmosphere.

Lisa (Panda Inside) had an incredible eye for detail and composition. As I photographed her, I watched with fascination as she handled her own camera and took her own pictures. It was a real pleasure to work with someone who is so passionate about photography and who exudes that love in every moment.

We exchanged ideas, experimented with different angles and played with light and shadow. Lisa (Panda Inside) was full of energy and creativity, which led to a fruitful collaboration. She had a natural grace and charisma in front of the camera which allowed me to capture her beauty and personality in the pictures.

The photo shoot with Lisa (Panda Inside) on the beach in Kappeln was an inspiring adventure that encouraged us both to further develop our photography skills and deepen our passion for the art of photography. The images will forever be a memory of that wonderful day and remind us how photography brought us together to explore and capture the beauty of the world.

Portrait lenses - focal length, aperture and sharpness

Portrait lenses are special lenses that are ideal for portrait photography. They offer certain qualities and characteristics that help make portraiture particularly pleasing and aesthetic.

An important aspect of portrait lenses is the focal length. Typically, lenses with a focal length of around 50mm to 100mm are recommended for portraiture. These focal lengths make it possible to present the model in the frame in a pleasing proportion and to preserve a natural perspective. They also offer low distortion and compression, resulting in a pleasing depth effect and beautiful bokeh.

Another feature of portrait lenses is the large maximum aperture. Lenses with a large aperture, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4, allow you to work with a shallow depth of field. This allows the model to stand out sharply from the background while the background blurs in a pleasing area of blur. This creates a nice depth effect and draws the focus to the face or desired details of the portrait.

Another benefit of portrait lenses is their ability to isolate the subject and reduce clutter in the background. Targeted focusing and using a large aperture can minimize unwanted background detail and distractions. This creates a calm and harmonious image structure that draws the viewer's attention to the essentials.

The quality of the portrait lenses also plays an important role. High-quality lenses offer excellent sharpness, color fidelity and contrast, which leads to outstanding image results. They can also score with optical properties such as low distortion and chromatic aberration, which further improve image quality.

In addition, many portrait lenses also offer a pleasant feel and precise focusing, which gives the photographer optimal control over the image.

Handling portrait lenses - important aspects when using portrait lenses

Handling portrait lenses requires a certain understanding of their specific properties and functions. Here are some important things to consider when using portrait lenses:

Choosing the right focal length: Depending on the desired image effect and shooting situation, choosing the right focal length can be crucial. A longer focal length, such as 85mm or 100mm, can help create a comfortable compression of the subject and blur the background more. On the other hand, shorter focal lengths around 50mm can offer a more natural angle of view and greater depth of field.
Controlling Depth of Field: Portrait lenses with large apertures allow for a shallow depth of field, meaning only a small portion of the image is in focus. This can be used selectively to bring focus to the main subject and blur the background. However, when working with a large aperture, precision in focusing is required to ensure the main subject is in focus.
Note the composition of the image: Careful composition of the image is crucial when photographing with portrait lenses. Watch out for distracting elements in the background, unwanted shadows or reflections. Place the main subject at strategic points in the frame for a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition.
Working with the bokeh: The bokeh, i.e. the quality of the blurring in the background, is an important design element in portrait photography. Portrait lenses with large apertures usually produce soft and pleasing bokeh. Experiment with different background elements to create interesting and aesthetically pleasing bokeh effects.
Taking advantage of sharpness and detail: High-quality portrait lenses often offer excellent sharpness and detail. Use this property to precisely capture fine facial features, eyes or other important details. Make sure you focus correctly and, if necessary, use a smaller aperture opening to achieve a greater depth of field.
Communication with the model: In portrait photography, communication with the model is of great importance. Provide clear instructions on posing and facing to achieve the desired expression and atmosphere. Create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere in which the model feels comfortable and can show authentic expressions.

Managing portrait lenses requires practice and experience to achieve the best possible result. Experiment with different settings, focal lengths and apertures to develop your own style and preferences. Take the time to learn the intricacies of the lenses and understand their special features.

It is also important to consider the individual needs and preferences of the model. Everyone is unique and a good portrait photographer takes the time to get to know the model and capture their personality. Communicate openly and respectfully to create an atmosphere of trust and get the best results.

When using portrait lenses, you can also experiment with different lighting setups to achieve the desired mood and effect. Whether natural light, studio lighting or the creative use of reflectors and flashes - the right lighting can significantly influence the expression and atmosphere of the portrait.

In addition to the technical side of portrait photography, it is also important to consider the emotional and aesthetic aspects. Portraits should express emotions, personality and character. Experiment with different angles, poses and expressions to capture the uniqueness of the model.

In conclusion, portrait photography should be a creative and inspiring experience. Be inspired by different styles, techniques and artistic influences to develop your own vision and signature. Working with portrait lenses offers a multitude of possibilities to create fascinating portraits and to show the individual beauty of every single person.

Model: Panda Inside (Lisa Instagram)

Author: Markus Götz
Publisher: septem sensu

Lisa (Panda Inside) taking pictures on the beach of Kappeln on the Baltic Sea

Exchanging ideas and having fun taking photos on the beach in Kappeln

Portrait lenses - focal length, aperture and sharpness

Handling portrait lenses - important aspects when using portrait lenses

Similar Stories

Lisa (Panda Inside) taking pictures on the beach of Kappeln on the Baltic Sea

Photo series of the couple shooting with Lisa (Panda Inside) and her boyfriend Nick from Plauen in the studio in a natural environment

Roadtrip 2022 - beach shooting in Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom with Sophie Art

First shooting with my colleague Lisa (Panda Inside) in my studio

Photo series with Lisa (Panda Inside) from Plauen in a green sweater

A sailing ship at the pier in Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom on the Baltic Sea