Portrait Background Width

[Cantab]

I'm thinking about buying the Savage portrait background kit (Universal Port a Stand). It comes with a 53" wide role of white paper but can also handle 107" backdrops.

I'm trying to figure out whether a 53" wide background will be wide enough for head and shoulder shots (and possibly some torso). The subject would be six feet in front of the background and I'd probably be using a 50mm lens on a Canon 60D camera (crop sensor). I also have a 18-200 zoom so other focal lengths could be used if necessary.

My geometry (trigonometry?) isn't good enough to figure this out. Does anyone have an instant answer??

[Manfred M]

Bruce - I use 1.35m (53") seamless for my head and shoulder shots. It's plenty wide for this kind of work.

I personally would shoot something a bit longer than the 50mm lens; I normally shoot with either a 105mm or a 70-200mm lens on a full frame body for portraiture for these types of shots (head shots / head and shoulder shots). Group shots. 3/4 shots or full body shots, I use my 24-70mm lens (at the longer end). Longer lenses will give you a more pleasing portrait.

[rpcrowe]

I fully agree with Manfred's posting. My go-to lens for portraits is the 70-200mm f/4L IS.

Your choice of 53 inch BG paper is just fine. The next wider size (107 inches) provides a bit more versatility in framing 3/4 length portraits, 2 person groups or full length images but, it is a PITA to store and transport.

[Cantab]

Manfred and Richard, thanks very much for you comments. It's what I'd hoped to hear but wasn't sure about.