One of the most common lens questions a beginning photographer has is, "Is 50mm a good choice for portrait photography?" The reason why I think this question comes up so much is that the vast majority of people are using their cameras to take photographs of their friends and family. Also, getting started in headshot photography is a common first step into becoming a professional photographer.
To answer the question though, you have to understand why you want to use a particular lens. Learning how to use a 50mm lens is important, but so is understanding how to take a good portrait.
Let's try to figure out which is more important to you.
Why You Should Use 50mm for Portraits
Fifty millimeter is generally considered a standard lens that is used for portraits. This means that you can get the correct distance to the subject without any compressing of the forehead, eyes, and nose. This is important because the lens can create a flattering image of a person because it creates that natural perspective. A longer length (such as 85mm) also gives a flattering look, but also applies some compression to the person - which you may or not want.
You Can Get Close to the Subject, but Also Capture the Scene
What about if you are taking a portrait shot outdoors or in a particular place where the environment also matters. Well 50mm prime lens can help here as well as you can "zoom with your feet" to capture more of the subject, but also be able to take those few steps back and get that palm tree or street light in shot.
And as mentioned previously, When you want to get closer to a subject, the 50mm will still maintain natural looking perspective, without any compressing of the person.
If you apply the basics of portrait photography, coupled with the 50mm, you are sure to have pictures you are proud of.
What are the basics we are referring too? It is having a well-exposed, in-focus subject placed in a pleasing background.
The Best Way to Learn More About 50mm
If you want to learn more about 50mm, there are a variety of ways you can:
Take a class about photography. There are many different subjects of photography you can choose from so there is bound to be one that is tailored to your needs. Getting hands-on experience will be invaluable when it comes to getting more comfortable with composing photos.
Or another option is to borrow or rent an 50mm lens kit with different extension tubes, rings, and filters. This is not only a great way to get more photography gear, it will also give you the chance to test out different lenses if you're not sure which one is best for you.
Conclusion
The amount of how much height you include in your photography is a personal choice, and will depend on the type of image you're trying to create. As with most things that we do, it's important to be willing to experiment and try out new ideas in your portraits. If you are just starting out, it may take some time to figure out what your style is and how to find a comfortable way of creating the images that you like. Hopefully, once you do get a better feel for what it is that you're trying to accomplish, making decisions about which lens to use will be easier for you.