Wide Angle Lens
Sep 13, 2012 21:28:23 #
I've been asked to take photographs at a family event in December. One of the photos will be a group of 40 to 50 people.
I have an 18-55mm lens that came with my Canon T3i, but I'm not sure that is adequate for the job. Any recommendations
would be appreciated.
I have an 18-55mm lens that came with my Canon T3i, but I'm not sure that is adequate for the job. Any recommendations
would be appreciated.
Sep 13, 2012 22:02:30 #
Where & when are you planning to shoot the group photo?
Inside, outside, daytime evening?
If you're not careful, wide angle lenses can really distort a group so you don't want the widest you can get.
Inside, outside, daytime evening?
If you're not careful, wide angle lenses can really distort a group so you don't want the widest you can get.
Sep 13, 2012 22:25:35 #
Sep 13, 2012 22:38:31 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
Arrange your group to the shape of the camera image eg 3x2 ratio.
Use about 45mm with your current lens if possible and F/8, focus on the second or third row.
If you have some elevation it will make it easier to have everyones face in the image instead of some of them being behind boofhead in front.
Use about 45mm with your current lens if possible and F/8, focus on the second or third row.
If you have some elevation it will make it easier to have everyones face in the image instead of some of them being behind boofhead in front.
Sep 13, 2012 22:45:23 #
lighthouse wrote:
Arrange your group to the shape of the camera image eg 3x2 ratio.
Use about 45mm with your current lens if possible and F/8, focus on the second or third row.
If you have some elevation it will make it easier to have everyones face in the image instead of some of them being behind boofhead in front.
Use about 45mm with your current lens if possible and F/8, focus on the second or third row.
If you have some elevation it will make it easier to have everyones face in the image instead of some of them being behind boofhead in front.
Try shooting from a window down on the crowd or get a tall ladder. Make sure you tell everyone "If you can't see my lens you will not be in the picture!"
Sep 13, 2012 22:48:28 #
Until you answer Goofy's questions, other than lighthouse's response, there can be no intelligent answer. The in/out, lighting, time of day, etc are important.
Sep 13, 2012 23:02:18 #
You have a VERY daunting task in front of you. I have taken many groups this size (cast and crew photos at local schools) and it is not easy.
First, as Goofy (hope you don't mind if I use your first name) said, you want to watch out for the distortion at the edges of wide angle lenses. I never go below 24mm, but if I'm correct, your T3i is a crop sensor, so the 18mm end of your lens would be about 28mm. The issue is the distance between you and the group. If you are outdoors, no problem, use a 35mm or even 50mm lens and just back up. Indoors and you can run into space problems.
Second, what lighting do you have. If you are indoors, a flash will not suffice. I use 3 600 w/s strobes without umbrellas (it's harsh, but this is a group photo, not a headshot) to give me at least an f11. DOF is an issue since you will need at least 5 rows of people to fill the frame well (more on this in a second). You need lots of light.
Third, consider the print. In order to see 40 or more people in a photo, you will probably want prints at least 8x10. This affects the set up of the people. The viewfinder in your camera has an aspect ratio of 4x6. An 8x10 photo requires you to leave room on the left and right of the frame so that when you enlarge the photo to 8x10, you don't cut off people at the edges. Think about it.
This leads to four, organizing the melee....I mean family. You need to create vertical layers. This means some folks (usually the kids) sitting on the floor, a row of folks kneeling, a row sitting in chairs, a row standing and even a row standing on boxes or benches. The best solution is one like bleachers or tiered seating in a theater if it's available.
All this takes time to organize and set up. You should have a helper or two who also know how the picture is to be set up and can help shepard the family. You may need to be firm. They are NEVER all ready at the same time (someone always has to fix their hair or go to the bathroom just as you're setting up).
Fifth, a tripod. Use one.
Sixth, bracket. Do it.
Seventh, take multiple shots. Aunt Mary didn't smile on the last shot and Uncle Herbie blinked. Oh and don't forget a shot or two for yourself.....Tequila perhaps.
Simple
Good luck....you'll need it.
The photo is a wild bunch of middle schoolers (50+) who couldn't sit still for a nanosecond. Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the task awaiting you. :-) Enjoy!
First, as Goofy (hope you don't mind if I use your first name) said, you want to watch out for the distortion at the edges of wide angle lenses. I never go below 24mm, but if I'm correct, your T3i is a crop sensor, so the 18mm end of your lens would be about 28mm. The issue is the distance between you and the group. If you are outdoors, no problem, use a 35mm or even 50mm lens and just back up. Indoors and you can run into space problems.
Second, what lighting do you have. If you are indoors, a flash will not suffice. I use 3 600 w/s strobes without umbrellas (it's harsh, but this is a group photo, not a headshot) to give me at least an f11. DOF is an issue since you will need at least 5 rows of people to fill the frame well (more on this in a second). You need lots of light.
Third, consider the print. In order to see 40 or more people in a photo, you will probably want prints at least 8x10. This affects the set up of the people. The viewfinder in your camera has an aspect ratio of 4x6. An 8x10 photo requires you to leave room on the left and right of the frame so that when you enlarge the photo to 8x10, you don't cut off people at the edges. Think about it.
This leads to four, organizing the melee....I mean family. You need to create vertical layers. This means some folks (usually the kids) sitting on the floor, a row of folks kneeling, a row sitting in chairs, a row standing and even a row standing on boxes or benches. The best solution is one like bleachers or tiered seating in a theater if it's available.
All this takes time to organize and set up. You should have a helper or two who also know how the picture is to be set up and can help shepard the family. You may need to be firm. They are NEVER all ready at the same time (someone always has to fix their hair or go to the bathroom just as you're setting up).
Fifth, a tripod. Use one.
Sixth, bracket. Do it.
Seventh, take multiple shots. Aunt Mary didn't smile on the last shot and Uncle Herbie blinked. Oh and don't forget a shot or two for yourself.....Tequila perhaps.
Simple
Good luck....you'll need it.
The photo is a wild bunch of middle schoolers (50+) who couldn't sit still for a nanosecond. Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the task awaiting you. :-) Enjoy!
Sep 13, 2012 23:34:28 #
unclebe1 wrote:
First, as Goofy (hope you don't mind if I use your first name) said, you want to watch out for the distortion at the edges of wide angle lenses. of the task awaiting you. :-) Enjoy!
First, as Goofy (hope you don't mind if I use your first name) said, you want to watch out for the distortion at the edges of wide angle lenses. of the task awaiting you. :-) Enjoy!
Some great information uncle! (which side of the family are you from?)
I shot my son's entire 8th grade class a few years ago.
Two kids were given a week's worth of community service by the principal.
Suffice it to say, watch the hands- every frame but the first one, a lighting check, had them in an...unsavory position
Sep 13, 2012 23:39:37 #
Thanks for the replies. Very helpful. Time of day of family
photo hasn't been finalized, but I'm glad you pointed that
out.
photo hasn't been finalized, but I'm glad you pointed that
out.
Sep 13, 2012 23:39:43 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
(which side of the family are you from?)
Don't you recognize my mugshot? I'm from the backside! Keep on smilin'!
Sep 13, 2012 23:41:39 #
unclebe1 wrote:
Don't you recognize my mugshot? I'm from the backside! Keep on smilin'!
GoofyNewfie wrote:
(which side of the family are you from?)
Don't you recognize my mugshot? I'm from the backside! Keep on smilin'!
LOL!!!
Sep 13, 2012 23:45:08 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
Great advice from uncle there.
Another thing that might help get a better pic.
A cable release with the camera set on "quiet".
When everything is set up, tripod, camera settings etc, cable release in hand, finger on button.
Surreptitiously take quite a few shots when you are "still setting up", "not paying attention" ,"distracted, talking, arranging" ,"after you have taken the shot" etc. You may get more natural stances and poses and facial expressions than the "set up".
Maybe easier said than done though! But worth a thought.
Another thing that might help get a better pic.
A cable release with the camera set on "quiet".
When everything is set up, tripod, camera settings etc, cable release in hand, finger on button.
Surreptitiously take quite a few shots when you are "still setting up", "not paying attention" ,"distracted, talking, arranging" ,"after you have taken the shot" etc. You may get more natural stances and poses and facial expressions than the "set up".
Maybe easier said than done though! But worth a thought.
Sep 14, 2012 00:09:51 #
If you are in a situation that requires auxiliary lighting - note what unclebe1 said about strobes. A little speedlight won't cut it. Although 5 or 6 Nikon SB-900s or Canon 580s might! And to make it more difficult, the farther away your lights are, the better (more even light front to back) the light will be. If you have the lights close, you will probably have a front-to-back lighting difference of 2 stops- maybe worse. If the lights are 16 feet from the front row, you will lose a whole stop in 6 feet (at 22 feet). What a coincidence! Sounds like f-stops - f16 to f22. Same principle.
Plan to do several head swaps in Photoshop!
Plan to do several head swaps in Photoshop!
Sep 14, 2012 08:14:36 #
A minor point to keep in mind. At Costco you can order prints on 8x12. This gives the correct aspect ratio for a DSLR.
Sep 14, 2012 08:21:06 #
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