Woodstown Brian Loc: New Jersey

My wife's annual family Christmas Party is coming up and they want to take a group shot. I have a Tokina 11-16 F2.8 lens that I would use. Any suggestions for herding the over 100 people to get this shot taken without taking too much time? Any special lighting? It will be taken in a restaurant with minimal lighting which complicates the shot. Looking for any/all suggestions.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

I have never tried this myself, but was once part of a 30+ family shoot at a professional studio about 10 years ago. Two things come to mind. First, he had some nice lighting equipment so be alert to that problem. Second, he did group us "by family". 100+ is going to be like herding cats after two drinks . . . . . pretty difficult. Good luck and smile throughout! It won't be perfect. 📷

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Wow. A group shot of 100 people taken in a dimly lit restaurant. It's unfortunate that it's your wife's party; makes it much harder for you to run and hide!

Without a set of risers and a ladder to shot from, getting 100 people arranged so they can all be seen and the grouping can fit in the frame will be difficult. Hopefully you can visit the party site and think out the logistics, and talk with the restaurant manager about where the shot can be taken. Ask the manager if the lighting can be turned up; many establishments can turn the lights up from its typical "ambiance" to brighter for cleaning etc. Beyond suggesting that you do this before party scoping out of the facility, I'm at a lose as to what might work.

Good luck.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You are going to try and get 100+ people in one shot in a restaurant and you can't control the lighting?

Suggestion?

Tell them it won't work...tell them that everyone should bring a point and shoot or their phone if they want pictures to remember this night by.

billybob40

5 rolls of 20.

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Bring a 6 feet ladder to get up high to take shot and shop lights. Good luck on this one, love to what you came up with.










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billybob40

DO NOT put them in rolls like forum did it.

Bobbee

100 people in a restaurant, you are already loosing control. This will be hard unless this is one big ass restaurant. Just google 'group pictures/shot' for ideas. You need to cover them in light and or use a tripod. Good luck.

Bobbee

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Hire a photographer and send the bill to your wife's family. and they can divide the bill by 100. shouldn't cost each person much at all.

You could try to collect before the shot and if they don't pay they are not included. There will be a lot of pressure for all to be included to keep the rice down for the rest.

This way, you're off the hook for many years to come.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

When I read your topic title I imagined 6-8 people max and not in a restaurant.

Your best bet for this project would be to come down with the flu the day before this event so you don't have to do it.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Have you considered, rather than a group of 100 people, taking group shots of work mates, people who might work in the same small office space? As others have stated above it seems to be almost an impossible task unless the restaurant can accommodate your needs of lighting and space. Throw in the certainty that some of the people will have been drinking and you are more likely going to be running a circus act rather than a photography session.

Good luck and we all want to see the final photograph,

Dennis

PressPhotog Loc: Harmony, MN

1. Hire a professional.
2. Hire a professional.
3. Hire a professional.
4. Enjoy your meal and keep peace in the family.
5. Do you ever wonder why good wedding photographers get the big bucks? You are about to find out!

PressPhotog Loc: Harmony, MN

one, two, three, shoot. With 100 people that have been drinking, on three, you should see at least 5 sets of rabbit ears. No one will buy the photos and if you show that photo to anyone, you might as well change jobs now! You have heard of a win, win situation? Well this is a loose, loose situation!
Make any excuse! Get out of the middle of this. Schedule a cruise that week!

chaprick

Man...such negativity!!

Yes, I would use a ladder. No I would not try to get them in rows...that would be impossible. Did anyone say this had to be a merit winning photograph?? It's not going to be. I would simply shoot this at a high ISO (maybe 1600) and I would use a flash at about 1/40 shutter speed (keep steady). If the ceiling is white I would probably bounce flash a shot off the ceiling at full flash power also. I would check to see if the restaurant can turn on or raise the lighting any during the shoot. You will be getting heckled from family members (ignore them) so be aggressive and take charge (don't ask people to do something...tell them). I would also suggest going to the restaurant ahead of time and taking some test shots using different settings and bounce flash if possible. No it will not be an award winning photograph but people will like it. They realize it is not a controlled studio lighted set. Most of all don't show any frustration. Just do the deal and have fun. It will be OK. Most of all don't let all these naysayers freak you out. It's a group picture in a restaurant. Shoot it and move on.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

On every table put a disposable camera tell them to take pictures of each other. Collect the camera at the end of the party. Process and share the pictures.

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