Which of the following is a popular lens type for portrait photography?

The choice of a telephoto lens for portrait photography is favored due to its ability to create flattering images of subjects. Telephoto lenses, typically ranging from 70mm to 200mm, allow photographers to stand at a distance while still capturing detailed, close-up images. This distance reduces the likelihood of distortion that commonly occurs with wide-angle lenses, where facial features can appear exaggerated or unappealing.

Moreover, telephoto lenses offer a shallower depth of field, enabling photographers to achieve a beautiful bokeh effect that blurs the background and helps the subject stand out. This is particularly important in portraits as it draws attention to the subject's face while minimizing distractions in the surrounding environment.

In contrast, while wide-angle lenses may be useful for landscapes or capturing larger scenes, they can introduce distortion that isn't ideal for portraits. Macro lenses are designed for extreme close-ups of small subjects, such as insects or flowers, which wouldn't be practical for typical portraiture. Standard zoom lenses, while versatile, often do not provide the specialized compression and background separation that telephoto lenses do, making telephoto the more popular choice for creating standout portrait images.