Lens for Portraiture Practice?

[ZannieGirl49]

I need some help from all of you wonderful portraiture artists out there. I normally take landscapes or just shots of inanimate objects. In order to branch out and stretch my skills, also after being inspired by some awesome images on DPS, I've decided to start delving into taking pictures of people.

I don't want to be a pro or open a studio, just not embarrass myself when my friends and family ask me to take pictures at gatherings. So my good friend is letting me do a shoot with her daughters. My question is, will my kit 18-105 lens be fine or am I much better off getting a 50mm f1.8? I don't want to run out and get a lens that I would rarely use but from what I've heard, a 50mm is really the lens to get if I want to improve my photography. Maybe it's something that I should get and bring with me all the time?

I'd REALLY appreciate any thoughts and tips (about anything portraiture related). I would love to get at least one shot for my friend that she will be able to display in her home even though I'm doing this just for practice.

[Murtasma]

I think it's a lens you should have. The lens is fast, inexpensive and has good image quailty. You should however be just fine with your kit lens. I would just shoot on the longer end for portraits create distance between the person and background. You should still be able to get a nice blurred background with enough distanace and focal length.

The 50 would be more ideal but is not necessary to make a stunning portrait.

[kirbinster]

A 50mm lens is not typically thought of as a portrait lens. You want something in the 85mm to 135mm range.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

A 50mm lens is not typically thought of as a portrait lens. You want something in the 85mm to 135mm range.

The 50 does allow the photographer to get closer and more intimate with the subject, though.

I prefer having a 50 and 105 pairing for portraits.

[ZannieGirl49]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I'll purchase the 50mm because it sounds like it would be good to have in the tool box. Depending on where we end up going I may take both my kit and the 50. It would be nice to try both of them and compare the results. But I'd be a bit skittish about switching lenses if we end up at the beach.

[Nekrose]

I loved my 50 dearly until my husband dropped it and it broke.

But he let me buy a 70-200mm f/2.8L as a replacement

I used that a lot for portraits, because I have a crop body. It was also good for tight spaces.

I prefer it because it's fast, the colors and contrast are good, and it is very light and portable.

However, the 1.8 is very slow to focus in low light. It is also a bit loud.