When it comes to portrait photography, the classic focal length is 85mm, but of course, that is not the only option you can use for creating worthwhile images. 135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative to the classic 85mm option, and this great video essay discusses why you should consider using one in your work.

Coming to you from Stefan Malloch, this excellent video discusses the benefits of using a 135mm lens for portraits. 85mm has long been the classic choice for portraiture, but 135mm offers some interesting benefits that make it an alternative worthy of consideration. Quite a few photographers like to use longer focal lengths, as the additional compression reduces the prominence of features a bit more. On top of that, there are often some top-level 135mm lenses available at prices cheaper than the most expensive 85mm lenses. One thing you will want to consider is the increased working distance of a 135mm lenses. If you mostly shoot outside, this probably will not bother you, but if you tend to work in a studio, you should consider if it will cause issues, especially if you are already near the limit with your 85mm. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Malloch.