need help taking class pictures
May 22, 2018 12:16:12 #
Hello,
So this is my first time asking a question at the forum. I'm a hobbyist photographer and love shooting landscapes and nature. I just for some reason volunteered to take class photo's for my daughter's Pre-K class as well as 2 other classes and having never taken portraits before (except candid pics of my kids) i am reaching out to see if i can get some advise and tips from all you pro's here.
My camera kit includes the following;
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS t2i with 18-55mm kit lens
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS IIUSM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
I have no flash or speed light. So my questions are;
- Out of the lenses that i have which one would be best for taking the class pictures
- Should i rent a 100mm macro lens for that purpose.
- What kind of lighting do i need since it would be inside a classroom with fluorescent lights.
Thanks
So this is my first time asking a question at the forum. I'm a hobbyist photographer and love shooting landscapes and nature. I just for some reason volunteered to take class photo's for my daughter's Pre-K class as well as 2 other classes and having never taken portraits before (except candid pics of my kids) i am reaching out to see if i can get some advise and tips from all you pro's here.
My camera kit includes the following;
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS t2i with 18-55mm kit lens
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS IIUSM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
I have no flash or speed light. So my questions are;
- Out of the lenses that i have which one would be best for taking the class pictures
- Should i rent a 100mm macro lens for that purpose.
- What kind of lighting do i need since it would be inside a classroom with fluorescent lights.
Thanks
May 22, 2018 12:20:29 #
NUMBER 1 - MAKE SURE you have a form for each student signed by a parent allowing you to take their picture. Could be trouble otherwise.
May 22, 2018 12:22:07 #
May 22, 2018 12:22:18 #
The 50 is a good portrait lens. The 24-105 might allow you to take a full class picture as well as portraits.
May 22, 2018 12:26:20 #
May 22, 2018 12:33:15 #
Ali Rizvi wrote:
...
- Out of the lenses that i have which one would be best for taking the class pictures
- Should i rent a 100mm macro lens for that purpose.
- What kind of lighting do i need since it would be inside a classroom with fluorescent lights.
Thanks
- Out of the lenses that i have which one would be best for taking the class pictures
- Should i rent a 100mm macro lens for that purpose.
- What kind of lighting do i need since it would be inside a classroom with fluorescent lights.
Thanks
For the group photo the 18-55 should be OK since you said it would be indoors. You may need a moderately wide angle depending on the size of the room
Fluorescent lighting can be OK but shoot in raw (or raw+jpg). That gives you the option to adjust the white balance later. Easier if there's something in the photo that's white. Maybe a large card as a label, e.g. "Mr(s). XXXXXX's Class, 2018"
A tripod might be useful.
May 22, 2018 12:36:56 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
For the group photo the 18-55 should be OK since you said it would be indoors. You may need a moderately wide angle depending on the size of the room
Fluorescent lighting can be OK but shoot in raw (or raw+jpg). That gives you the option to adjust the white balance later. Easier if there's something in the photo that's white. Maybe a large card as a label, e.g. "Mr(s). XXXXXX's Class, 2018"
A tripod might be useful.
Fluorescent lighting can be OK but shoot in raw (or raw+jpg). That gives you the option to adjust the white balance later. Easier if there's something in the photo that's white. Maybe a large card as a label, e.g. "Mr(s). XXXXXX's Class, 2018"
A tripod might be useful.
How about a backdrop for the portraits? A nice clean neutral background could make a world of difference.
May 22, 2018 12:48:00 #
This is a pre-K photo. Not a professional portrait. In my opinion the background should be the classroom (or on a nice day, the playground). It shows the environment.
May 22, 2018 12:48:50 #
May 22, 2018 12:49:29 #
bsprague wrote:
How would a macro lens apply to group shots of children?
Not for the group shot obviously but for the individual headshots / portraits.
May 22, 2018 14:13:17 #
Ali Rizvi wrote:
Not for the group shot obviously but for the individual headshots / portraits.
A "macro" might be good for close shots of an eye, or maybe missing teeth. But not headshots or portraits. If you want a macro, get it. But this is not a good use or excuse.
May 22, 2018 14:24:12 #
I don't know Canon's but do your cameras have flicker reduction for fluorescent?
May 22, 2018 14:59:01 #
FreddB
Loc: PA - Delaware County
Have the teacher help with posing for the "class picture", aka the formal shot.
Let her/him be the bad cop, you be the fun guy.
Then, take some candids of kids being kids, just like you would with your own.
It's pre-k, not MIT.
Let her/him be the bad cop, you be the fun guy.
Then, take some candids of kids being kids, just like you would with your own.
It's pre-k, not MIT.
May 22, 2018 18:16:06 #
bsprague wrote:
A "macro" might be good for close shots of an eye, or maybe missing teeth. But not headshots or portraits. If you want a macro, get it. But this is not a good use or excuse.
I've read several articles that say macros are very good for portraits. While they're made for close-up work they are good sharp lenses that can be used for other things.
https://www.slrlounge.com/macro-lens-second-lens-purchase/
May 22, 2018 19:44:14 #
If you take individual photos, a flash fired into an umbrella would be great fill light. Umbrellas have a wide dispersion of light and would negate the fluorescent light for individual shots. Your photos may be a little dull without some fill flash. Whenever I do fill flash I dial in about -1EV or -2EV flash compensation to avoid the obvious flash look. I use a Kupo swivel umbrella bracket on a light stand. The Kupo umbrella brackets have a large clamping area and won't rotate from the leverage the umbrella will exert on it. I use PocketWizard TTL transceivers to trigger the flash. If you get an umbrella, get one that has a textured or pebbled silver interior surface. Silver umbrellas will give you about one extra stop of light over white umbrellas. The pebbled interior surface disperses the light better than smooth interior umbrellas. I use the Profoto 33" shallow silver umbrella with my speedlight.
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