Inside the booth
Match a booth camera’s field of view to its room depth
The lens must include every guest from a fixed camera position.
A lens that is too tight crops a group; a very wide view may stretch faces near the edges. Field of view is the practical link between camera position, sensor size and the space available.
Measure the actual frame
Mark the expected subject plane and measure the width and height the camera must include. Check the lens or phone camera’s field of view at that distance, then leave room for small posture differences. Do not rely on a landscape sample to predict a portrait crop.
Evidence: Optics engineering guide
Watch for edge stretching
Wide-angle views can make near and far parts of a face appear more separated, especially when the camera is close. Keep faces near the center during a group test and inspect people at the frame edges. A later crop cannot undo perspective already captured.
Evidence: Camera manufacturer support article
Choose position before software crop
Adjust camera-to-subject distance and focal length together to fit the room. Fix the camera mount, take a group test, and measure headroom and side margins. Record the lens selection so a phone update or camera swap does not silently change framing.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Edmund Optics, Understanding Focal Length and Field of ViewOptics engineering guide
- Nikon Support, Choosing the right lenses: PerspectiveCamera manufacturer support article