Lots of suggestions on how to spend money on new equipment. If you're looking just to take this group shot and not trying to blow it up larger than and 8X10 then how about something simple requiring no money. try an experiment with no flash and simply crank up the ISO, your aperture to say 5.6 and take some test shots in some similar situation. In manual mode you be able to read your meter and see what ISO will bring this home.

Why is the photographer not in the shot? The t3i has a 10 sec built in timer. Even if you don't have a tripod a table or some such will get the job done.

Merci!!!

Lamination is plastic and unless this process/material has vastly improved, won't they yellow after a few years especially in heavily lit areas?

Almost the same path Bob. I had Ae-1 also and used it manually for years. Kids, job, etc and the camera when on the shelf. Enter Digital and I bought a 3 Mpix Elph just to see what it was all about. Floored by the quality. Moved quickly to Entry level Xti and my photography spirits were rejuvenated. When the 5DIII came out I said to hell with inching up and jumped on. Got some L glass and now that I'm retired, life is good. If I could only teach that camera composition. :) About 95% is shot manual from day one. I can only shake my head about the quality and I'm;m sure in a few years it will be considered and Instamatic.

The only way I would vote for my own picture would be if I felt it truly was the best. I would think the reason for the contest is to see how the masses see your photograph. Always voting for yourself and being the only vote, suggests you have a higher opinion than everyone else. As harsh as it sounds, it also suggests that like most of us, we all have a ways to go.