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Lens for large family portrait?
Mar 12, 2018 00:36:09 #
We have a large family (29 including 2 great grandchildren) and getting family portraits for Christmas cards, etc. can be challenging. These photos are taken quickly with me setting the timer and running to get in the picture. That part seems to work well as everyone is laughing to see if I make it in time. Is there a lens that is better for taking photos of a large family that is reasonable in price? I am just a hobbyist photographer with a Nikon D7100 and a D5600 with kit lenses and a Tamaron 16-300mm. I really appreciate your advice.
~Lauretta
~Lauretta
Mar 12, 2018 00:47:10 #
Mar 12, 2018 00:51:33 #
illininitt wrote:
I've got the Canon 10-18. Too bad you have a Nikon.
Another rediculously pointless comment. But that seems to be the norm for you!
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Mar 12, 2018 00:55:06 #
Texas1833 wrote:
We have a large family (29 including 2 great grand... (show quote)
Ignore the troll posts.
You have many choices:
Nikon 10-20
Nikon 10-24
Tamron 10-24
Sigma 10-20
Tokina 11-16
Tokina 11-20
Any of these would get you wide enough to shoot your group just fine. Also consider a somewhat elevated vantage point to shoot from.
Mar 12, 2018 01:18:49 #
For 32 people, you have to get pretty far back to get everybody in the shot. Is this indoors or outdoors? Are you using any strobes or the built in flash for lighting? What setting shave you used in the past?
Mar 12, 2018 01:30:12 #
Like rgrenaderphoto said, whatever lens you use, you will have to get far enough back to include everyone. MT Shooter gave you a list of lenses that would work, but there are tons more. Well...maybe not "tons," but a few more. It will depend on how you arrange the group—32 in a line is probably the worst way as you would have to be REALLY wide 3 rows will work well and the advice to get elevated is correct. Use a step ladder.
Depending on space, that 16-300 might be just fine at the wide end. Let's do a thought experiment: Assume everyone takes up about 24 inches and you do three rows. A row of 11 will take 22 feet...figure 25 to be safe. Will you have space (from camera to the people) enough to cover 25 feet if the lens is at 16mm?
Depending on space, that 16-300 might be just fine at the wide end. Let's do a thought experiment: Assume everyone takes up about 24 inches and you do three rows. A row of 11 will take 22 feet...figure 25 to be safe. Will you have space (from camera to the people) enough to cover 25 feet if the lens is at 16mm?
Mar 12, 2018 02:41:50 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
That's a lot of folks. It can be done, but you'll have to back up, even with a good wide angle lens. I've seen pro football team portraits with back row standing, remaining rows kneeling and sitting. And everyone could be identified. But, heads small in size, even on an 8X10 photo. You probably would not want to use a sports team format though. You may want to invest in Nikon's DX version 10-20mm, which will give you a FOV of 15-30mm. Good luck.
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Mar 12, 2018 04:59:15 #
Texas1833 wrote:
We have a large family (29 including 2 great grand... (show quote)
Id you try to get everyone in a single shot - as everyone has noted - you'll need a wide lens. As you go wider, you'll have to content with volume anamorphosis at the sides.
http://www.dxo.com/us/photography/tutorials/understanding-volume-deformation
Better to use a longer focal length if possible.
Here is a good group of suggestions - which includes overlapping your subjects to minimize the overall width of the group, creating "layers", and the use of a remote trigger (better than the camera's self timer).
https://www.slrlounge.com/10-tips-for-photographing-large-groups/
The biggest issues you will face will be getting everyone's eyes open at once and lighting.
Some posing ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/large-family-poses/?lp=true
Mar 12, 2018 05:04:27 #
CaptainC wrote:
Depending on space, that 16-300 might be just fine at the wide end. Let's do a thought experiment: Assume everyone takes up about 24 inches and you do three rows. A row of 11 will take 22 feet...figure 25 to be safe. Will you have space (from camera to the people) enough to cover 25 feet if the lens is at 16mm?
That was my first thought too. I'm just not familiar with that lens to know the image quality at the wide end. Don't forget the jogging time if you back off too far.
Mar 12, 2018 06:25:49 #
I have done large groups for cast photos, etc. Any standard kit lens should work fine. Use a tripod and a remote shutter release. A bigger issue I see could be lighting. If the space you are shooting in doesn’t have adequate light (or if the light creates shadows on people’s faces) a built in flash may not be enough depending on distance away and how wide your angle of view is.
Mar 12, 2018 06:59:00 #
riceman wrote:
I have done large groups for cast photos, etc. Any standard kit lens should work fine. Use a tripod and a remote shutter release. A bigger issue I see could be lighting. If the space you are shooting in doesn’t have adequate light (or if the light creates shadows on people’s faces) a built in flash may not be enough depending on distance away and how wide your angle of view is.
Shooting outside at the end of the day should help . . .
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Mar 12, 2018 08:14:06 #
Use a tripod and your 16-300mm. Use an aperture of 8.0 to 11.0. Pose everyone, ensuring you leave sufficient room on the ends; you can always crop the excess out later but you can't add as easily. Use a remote trigger if you can. Otherwise just run fast and don't forget to have everyone say "CHEESE".
Good luck
Good luck
Mar 12, 2018 08:41:38 #
Texas1833 wrote:
We have a large family (29 including 2 great grand... (show quote)
I shoot large groups a few times a year. It is always nice to buy a new lens. However, you do not need a wide angle for this. I usually use a 70-200 for groups of that size, so your 16-300 at f8 to f11-ish should be fine. And yes I am in some of the shots. Obviously I can't run that far and get in the picture. I use a wireless release. With large groups you need to take multiple shots. Getting everyone to look at the camera and keep their eyes open is a pain. Doing multiple shots allows you to mix and match in post. It also allows you to have fun during the shoot. Also using the longer lens you get nice compression and the individuals will look better than with a wide angle.
A wireless release only runs around $50 to $60. Less than a new lens. Do not get an optical release get one the does a wireless signal.
Mar 12, 2018 10:49:26 #
Set up the shot at an elevated height then have a friend of the family take three shots so you can switch heads in PP if someone has their eyes closed. - Dave
Mar 12, 2018 11:10:26 #
Another trick - have everyone close their eyes. And just before you shoot the photo, have them open them.
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