The Timeless Magic of 35mm f1.2
- Marco Squassina Photography
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20
When photographers talk about their favorite focal lengths, some swear by the intimacy of a 50mm, others the drama of an 85mm, or the sweep of a 24mm. But for me, there is one lens that has been my faithful companion across genres and years: the 35mm.
This focal length is a classic — one that has been beloved by street photographers, documentary storytellers, and portrait artists alike. It has been a particular favorite of Russian photographers for environmental portraits, and I can see why: it strikes that perfect balance between including the world and honouring the subject.
35mm: The Storytelling Focal Length
At its core, a 35mm lens is about perspective. Wider than a “normal” 50mm, but not so wide as to distort faces or stretch the scene unnaturally, the 35mm invites the viewer into the frame.
With a 35mm, you are close enough to your subject that you share the same space — your presence is felt, the connection is tangible — yet you still have enough width to include the context that tells the story. You can capture a model and the room she inhabits, the environment that gives meaning to her pose, her expression, her movement.
Street photographers have long adored this focal length for the same reason: it allows them to be in the scene, not observing from afar, to create images that feel immersive and alive.
Closeness and Connection
For portraiture — especially glamour and fine-art nude photography, where intimacy and trust between photographer and model are essential — the 35mm lets you stay physically close. You can communicate with the model, adjust small details, and maintain a natural flow in the session without shouting across the set.
That physical closeness translates into emotional closeness: the subject feels present, the image feels immediate. The viewer, looking at the photograph, feels as if they are right there too.
Depth of Field and the 35mm f/1.2
One of the reasons I am so devoted to this focal length is the lens I use most often: a 35mm f/1.2. Shooting wide open at f/1.2 turns the scene into something dreamlike — the background melts into a creamy blur, isolating the subject while still leaving just enough clues about the surrounding environment.
This combination is magic: you get the storytelling capability of a wide lens and the subject separation usually associated with longer focal lengths. The result is a photograph that feels both spacious and intimate at once — a rare combination.
Versatility Without Compromise
Another thing I love about 35mm is its versatility.
Street photography: Capture candid moments with context.
Environmental portraits: Place your subject in their world, let the surroundings add narrative weight.
Travel photography: One lens can handle landscapes, architecture, and portraits without ever feeling “too wide” or “too tight.”
Editorial work: Perfect for showing fashion, interiors, and mood in the same frame.
My fav focal as well