Which film format should I use to take portraits?

Medium format, large format and 35 mm are the most suitable film formats for portrait photography. While medium format and large format could yield the best results, 35 mm can also be ideal for taking portraits and more portable.

Compared to smaller film formats still being used today such as 110 and 35 mm, medium format has better resolution and captures finer details. Medium format also has a narrower depth of field, which emphasizes the subject and translates perfectly for portraits!

Credits: duffman,  cetkum,  herbert-4, andrejrusskovskij
Credits: duffman,  cetkum,  herbert-4, andrejrusskovskij
Credits: duffman,  cetkum,  herbert-4, andrejrusskovskij
Credits: duffman,  cetkum,  herbert-4, andrejrusskovskij
Credits: duffman, cetkum, herbert-4, andrejrusskovskij

Large format ranks the highest when it comes to image quality among film formats still available today, making it the perfect choice for many film photographers, especially for professional portraits. With large format, images are taken using 4×5 up to 8×10 inch film sheets, then loaded into a film holder attached to the camera.

Since both of these formats are big and capture fine details, both also have a higher maximum for print enlargement.

Credits: picturmanbob, naitchez, mloscik, serolfitnas
Credits: picturmanbob, naitchez, mloscik, serolfitnas
Credits: picturmanbob, naitchez, mloscik, serolfitnas
Credits: picturmanbob, naitchez, mloscik, serolfitnas
Credits: picturmanbob, naitchez, mloscik, serolfitnas

While 35 mm is a smaller format than the first two, many 35 mm camera and lens combinations are also capable of capturing astounding detail fit for portraits. It can also be more accessible for beginner photographers to start out with 35 mm as gear and developing costs are cheaper compared to medium and large formats.

Credits: marta1901, life_on_mars, duffman
Credits: marta1901, life_on_mars, duffman
Credits: marta1901, life_on_mars, duffman
Credits: marta1901, life_on_mars, duffman

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