Junior Rasmussen
Wedding photography requires a range of lenses to capture the various moments and emotions throughout the day. From the preparation and ceremony to the reception and first dance, different lenses are needed for different scenarios. Wide-angle lenses such as the 24mm or 35mm are great for capturing the bigger picture, including the environment and the people in it. On the other hand, lenses like the 50mm, 85mm, and 70-200mm are ideal for portraits, offering beautiful bokeh and compression. The 100mm macro lens is perfect for capturing small but important details, like wedding rings and dress details. The 24-70mm zoom lens is also a versatile option for smaller spaces and high-action moments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lens type | 50mm, 35mm, 85mm, 100mm macro, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 16-35mm, 24mm, 50mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2, 35mm f/1.4, 18-28mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, 35-150mm f/2.8 |
| Use case | Bride and groom, family, ceremony, reception, parent dances, open dance, entrance, toasts, cake cutting, first kiss, venue and scenery, wedding prep |
| Advantages | Photojournalistic appeal, versatility, faster focus, wider angle, lightweight, cost-effective, sharpness, bokeh, background blur, discreet |
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What You'll Learn
50mm lens for portraits and formal dances
The 50mm lens is one of the best all-around prime lenses for wedding photography. It is particularly good for portraits, as it has a more normal-ranged focal length, allowing you to capture stunning images of people without getting into a perceptual distortion range. This makes it ideal for photographing the bride and groom, as well as family formals.
When using a 50mm lens for portraits, it is important to consider your distance from the subject. With a modern 50mm lens, such as the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM, you can photograph around half to three-quarters of an average person without getting too close. This keeps you within a comfortable physical working distance from your subject and helps to avoid any distortion around the edges of the frame.
The 50mm lens is also a good choice for low-light settings, as it has a wide aperture, allowing more light into the camera. This makes it ideal for formal dances at wedding receptions, where the lighting may be softer or more subdued. The 50mm lens can capture the mood and energy of the dances, with its ability to create a beautiful bokeh effect and pleasing background blur.
Additionally, the 50mm lens is versatile and lightweight, making it easy to use in various situations. It is often a popular choice for photographers due to its affordability and ability to adapt to different photography styles.
Overall, the 50mm lens is a great option for portraits and formal dances at weddings, offering both convenience and high-quality image results.
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35mm lens for wider shots and candid moments
The 35mm lens is a versatile lens that is perfect for capturing candid moments and wider shots during a wedding. Its wide angle of view and natural perspective make it ideal for capturing the background and intimate shots of the couple and guests.
The 35mm lens is a popular choice for wedding photographers who want to capture the story of the day, including the venue and scenery/landscape shots. It is also useful for capturing the first kiss, cake cutting, and other candid moments during the reception. The lens allows photographers to get closer to the action and capture more of the story, without intruding on the privacy of the couple and guests.
The 35mm lens is also suitable for shooting portraits, as it provides a natural perspective and can blur out distractions in the background. It is a good choice for photographers who want to capture active, candid, and in-the-moment images.
Additionally, the 35mm lens is easy to transport, making it a great choice for photographers who need to travel light and move quickly during the wedding. It is a versatile lens that can be used for both wide shots and intimate portraits, providing a natural and candid feel to the wedding photography.
Overall, the 35mm lens is a great choice for wedding photographers who want to capture a combination of wide shots and candid moments, offering a natural perspective and the ability to get closer to the action without being intrusive.
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24-70mm zoom lens for small spaces and high-action moments
The 24-70mm zoom lens is a versatile lens that is perfect for small spaces and high-action moments during wedding photography. It is a popular choice for wedding photographers due to its ability to capture a wide range of scenes, from expansive landscapes to intimate portraits, without the need to constantly switch lenses.
One of the key advantages of the 24-70mm lens is its versatility in terms of focal length. With this lens, photographers can easily adjust from wide-angle to zoom, capturing both the grandeur of the venue and the intricate details of the wedding. For example, during the ceremony, photographers can use the 24-70mm lens to capture the semi-wide shot of the groom's expression as the bride walks down the aisle, and then quickly zoom in for a close-up of their reaction, all without changing lenses. This flexibility is crucial for weddings, where photographers need to adapt to various situations and capture fleeting moments.
The 24-70mm lens is also ideal for small spaces, such as cultural wedding ceremonies that may take place in packed living rooms or tight indoor venues. In these situations, a lens like the 70-200mm would be too compressed, and a prime lens like the 50mm would not provide enough versatility to capture the entire event. The 24-70mm lens allows photographers to move back and forth seamlessly, capturing both wide and tight compositions without having to constantly adjust their gear.
Additionally, the 24-70mm lens is a popular choice due to its ability to produce stunning portraits. With modern options reaching impressive apertures like f/1.2, photographers can create shallow depths of field that soften the subject's skin and make them stand out. The 24-70mm lens also allows for better handheld images in darker scenarios, as the f/2.8 version can gather more light, resulting in sharper and less noisy images.
While the 24-70mm lens offers unparalleled versatility, it is important to note that it may not excel in certain situations. For example, bokeh and background separation may not be as strong with this lens compared to prime lenses. Additionally, in low-light conditions or when aiming for specific aesthetic effects, photographers might prefer lenses with larger apertures, such as the Sony 28-70mm f/2.0. Nevertheless, the 24-70mm lens remains a workhorse and a go-to choice for many professionals and amateurs alike due to its adaptability and convenience.
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85mm lens for photojournalistic appeal
The 85mm lens is a popular choice for wedding photographers aiming for a photojournalistic style. Its versatility and forgiving nature make it easier to capture the perfect shot, even in busy or less-than-ideal locations.
One of the key advantages of the 85mm lens is its ability to isolate the subject and minimize distractions in the background. This is achieved through its tighter focal length, which allows photographers to focus on smaller parts of the scene. This feature is especially useful when capturing the bride and groom, as it helps create a gorgeous bokeh effect with pleasing compression.
The 85mm lens also excels in low-light conditions. By shooting wide open at f/1.2 or f/1.8, photographers can achieve a beautifully blurred foreground that masks any distractions, resulting in stunning portraits with a shallow depth of field.
Additionally, the 85mm lens is highly effective for close-up portraits, as it avoids the distortion common with wider lenses. This makes it ideal for tighter headshots, ensuring the subject's features remain undistorted even when moving in close.
The 85mm lens is a versatile tool that can enhance image quality, making it a popular choice for wedding photographers seeking to capture captivating and flattering images with a photojournalistic appeal.
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70-200mm lens for family portraits and discreet shots
The 70-200mm lens is a versatile lens that is perfect for family portraits and discreet shots at weddings. With a range from 70mm on the "wide" end and 200mm on the telephoto end, photographers can quickly change the field of view without physically moving, which is especially useful when shooting portraits in busy locations. The 70-200mm lens allows photographers to focus on key subjects and crop out distracting elements in the frame, capturing stunningly detailed shots.
The 70-200mm lens is also ideal for discreet shots, as it allows photographers to capture intimate moments without having to be too close to the subject. This can be particularly useful during the wedding ceremony when the photographer wants to remain unobtrusive. The lens's long end of 200mm offers plenty of reach, allowing photographers to capture intimate moments from a distance.
Additionally, the 70-200mm lens provides beautiful bokeh backgrounds, which are perfect for portraits. The large aperture renders wonderful out-of-focus elements, giving images a dreamy quality that is loved by portrait photographers. The lens also performs well in low-light conditions, making it suitable for indoor wedding receptions or ceremonies.
While the 70-200mm lens is a popular choice for wedding photography, it is important to note that it may not be ideal for all situations. For example, in smaller spaces or cultural wedding ceremonies where the photographer is in a packed room with other guests, a 24-70mm zoom lens or a 50mm lens might provide more versatility and manoeuvrability.
Overall, the 70-200mm lens is a valuable tool for wedding photographers, offering the ability to capture stunning portraits, discreet shots, and intimate moments with beautiful bokeh backgrounds and excellent low-light performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A 24mm f/1.4 lens is good for capturing the whole room, church or chapel. It's also great for low-light event photography, such as a wedding reception dance floor.
A 100mm macro f/2.8 lens is great for capturing small but important details.
A 50mm f/1.2 lens is good for this as it cuts out the background and focuses more on the subjects.
An 85mm f/1.2 lens is good for capturing portraits of the bride and her bridesmaids. It has a photojournalistic appeal and blurs the foreground.
A 70-200mm telephoto f/2.8 lens is great for family portraits as it allows you to zoom in and out depending on the size of the group.
