Welcome to our Minute Photography serial, where nosotros explain photography and lighting tips & tricks, myths, and techniques. For more education and details on similar concepts, exist sure to check out our Photography 101 Workshop.

In only 60 seconds, nosotros are going to explicate why the camera seems to add 10 pounds to people in photographs.

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"The camera adds ten pounds."

This common phrase really describes the effects of lens distortion acquired by wide to semi-wide angle lenses, which can make people in pictures appear heavier than they really are. Wide angle lenses can not merely widen out the torso, but they can also completely distort a subject'due south features.

To illustrate this point, we photographed Brandon on a Canon 5D Mark Four with a Canon 24-70mm zoom lens. Discover how Brandon's facial features modify as nosotros adapt our focal length and cycle from 24mm to 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm.

As we increased the focal length, nosotros as well increased our distance from Brandon so that his face would occupy roughly the same amount of infinite within the frame for each headshot.

[REWIND: 3 Tips To Offset Taking Better Photographs]

If you want to see only how dramatic of a departure in that location is, compare the prototype at 24mm to the image taken with a 70mm focal length.

That's quite a difference! So, how do nosotros continue the camera from calculation those mystical x pounds?

TIP #1: Continue YOUR SUBJECTS Away FROM THE EDGES

Canon 5D Mark III, Sigma 24mm, f/ane.4, ane/250, ISO 800

Lens baloney is heaviest at the edges of the frame, and then we recommend centering your subjects when shooting them somewhat close up with a wide angle lens.

TIP #2: A FOCAL LENGTH OF 85MM OR GREATER Volition Avert Distortion

Canon 5D Mark 3, Catechism TS-Eastward 90mm, f/4, i/250/ ISO 200

For taking shut-upward portraits, we recommend using a focal length of 85mm or greater in gild to avoid distortion. The 85mm focal length, in item, is known as a true portrait lens, and information technology offers great compression and background bokeh at wider apertures.

[REWIND: Favorite Lenses Used for ten,000 Couples Portraits]

TIP #3: Wide ANGLE Baloney CAN BE USED TO YOUR BENEFIT

Canon 5D Mark 3, Sigma 24mm, f/1.4, one/500, ISO 100

In the example higher up, nosotros used the distortion to our advantage while capturing a bridal portrait. The wider angle distorted the bride's figure and appeared to lengthen her legs and enhance the curvy shape of her hips.

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