Which settings for a portrait?

[Pharaoh]

Most portraits are also shot with longer lenses or focal lengths around 85-100mm and more. That rule is not etched in stone but it is the norm for most pros that I Know.
Hope that helps
Marko

Just curious,

Does this hold true with ((less than full frame)) DSLRs? I'm not a heavily invested in portrait photography but am contemplating being minimally prepared. Closest thing I have to what I believe is portrait caliber glass is a 50mm f 1:4 lense.

From casual observation, I've noticed a friend as well as some others who's portraits I've seen, have often had focal lengths 85mm or less.

I guess one thing I'm trying to calculate (unscientifically) is whether or not the necessary back off from the subject with a non full frame couldn't, by old portrait standards, be achieved / optimal with a smaller sized lens?

Thanks.

[Mad Aussie]

Closest thing I have to what I believe is portrait caliber glass is a 50mm f 1:4 lens

I really like my little 50mm 1.8 for portrait if I have room to move. It creates a nice DOF.

[Marko]

I've shot plenty of (somewhat unusual)portraits with a 24mm...
You can use whatever you want.... you do get more reach with a non full frame camera due to the crop factor.

For me though, 50mm is short for portraits (not street photography...formal or semiformal portraits) even on a non full frame. 85mm+ seems right to me.
You may consider a decent zoom that covers that range.

At the end of the day though it really depends how serious you want to get. If you are just dabbling...then use what you have. It will work just fine ...you'll just need to get closer to your subject

[pop123]

Kat's advice is spot on. To that which she has mentioned, I'll add: Shoot at her eye level rather that up at her; find a plain background, a medium or darker tone to contrast her hair and skin, crop more tightly on her head and shoulders, and avoid cropping little bits of body parts (in this case the upper portion of her left arm). Bold crops are fine, provided they don't bisect a joint, but little bits tend to give the impression of careless composition.
Canon EF-S 18-135MM F/3.5-5.6 IS AF