Wide Angle Lens
Sep 14, 2012 08:57:34 #
Lillabell wrote:
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.
I recently read something online about group shots. Explain to them that when the picture is taken, you know they will all want it to look as good as possible. It will require some time to set it up properly. Take the time to pose them. Rearrange people until you like the way the group looks. Tell them that you will be taking several shots close together. People's expresions change constantly, and by taking more shots, you have a better chance of getting good faces.
I think it was GoofyNewfie who recently posted a couple of perfectly posed group shots.
Sep 14, 2012 09:06:24 #
Just for fun, here is 21 in a row. With my 10.5. I was just playing. But you can see the distortion with a wide lens. They were in a straight line.
Erv
Erv
Sep 14, 2012 09:23:11 #
Erv wrote:
Just for fun, here is 21 in a row. With my 10.5. I was just playing. But you can see the distortion with a wide lens. They were in a straight line.
Erv
Erv
Thanks for posting this picture, Erv!
I recently took a picture with a very wide lens, but down a long table, and it does not look pleasant at all - but I like the effect of this one!
EstherP
Sep 14, 2012 09:27:51 #
Erv wrote:
Just for fun, here is 21 in a row. With my 10.5. I was just playing. But you can see the distortion with a wide lens. They were in a straight line.
Erv
Erv
That gives a nice effect. You were probably 4' away from the group.
Sep 14, 2012 09:31:41 #
Lillabell wrote:
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.
The really daunting task before you will not be photographic. I used to photograph class reunions and the real chore was to get that many people to stand still, not talk and cut up, no 'bunnie ears' behind heads, no rip poking, etc, etc. In other words, to get that many people to act age appropriate is the real challenge. Having a drill sargent at your side is helpful.
Sep 14, 2012 09:49:10 #
"Age appropriate" and "no bunny ears"....
Going by the behaviour of my boys when they were still in school, I think this comes under the heading of "'mutually exclusive".... ;~)
EstherP
Going by the behaviour of my boys when they were still in school, I think this comes under the heading of "'mutually exclusive".... ;~)
EstherP
Sep 14, 2012 09:51:13 #
Your welcome. I just posted to show how a wide angle makes things look. Some times good ,some times not so good.:)
Erv
Erv
EstherP wrote:
Thanks for posting this picture, Erv!
I recently took a picture with a very wide lens, but down a long table, and it does not look pleasant at all - but I like the effect of this one!
EstherP
Erv wrote:
Just for fun, here is 21 in a row. With my 10.5. I was just playing. But you can see the distortion with a wide lens. They were in a straight line.
Erv
Erv
Thanks for posting this picture, Erv!
I recently took a picture with a very wide lens, but down a long table, and it does not look pleasant at all - but I like the effect of this one!
EstherP
Sep 14, 2012 09:52:49 #
Hi Jerry, I think about 10' to get everyone in the shot. This was my new toy for the trip to Oregon last year.:)
Erv
Erv
jerryc41 wrote:
That gives a nice effect. You were probably 4' away from the group.
Erv wrote:
Just for fun, here is 21 in a row. With my 10.5. I was just playing. But you can see the distortion with a wide lens. They were in a straight line.
Erv
Erv
That gives a nice effect. You were probably 4' away from the group.
Sep 14, 2012 10:25:41 #
The lens should be wide enough. The question is 'will there be sufficient lighting or will you need several strobes?'
Sep 14, 2012 11:22:26 #
Thank you, thank you all for your quick and informative responses. This will be my first time with such a large group,
and there is so much more to it than I thought. I'm so glad I didn't wait until the last minute to ask the question. I don't have the lighting setup I will need, but I'm working on it.
By the way, Uncle, adding the photo was great.
and there is so much more to it than I thought. I'm so glad I didn't wait until the last minute to ask the question. I don't have the lighting setup I will need, but I'm working on it.
By the way, Uncle, adding the photo was great.
Sep 14, 2012 11:26:12 #
Erv, I just noticed your photo. Thank's for the visual.
That makes the distortion issue very clear.
That makes the distortion issue very clear.
Sep 14, 2012 11:50:05 #
Panorama Line everyone up, shoot three or more photos (overlap sides). If you have PSE 10 just use panorama blend. Nikon has Panorama Maker 6 I am sure Canon has similar.
Sep 14, 2012 11:50:07 #
you could do a panorama and stitch it together in Photoshop. Having said that. It's a challenging task at best. I suggest you find some ways to practice some of the ideas from our fellow UHH folks here before the event. This would be much better evenly lite outside, in my opinion. Use continuous mode and hopefully you'll get one shot where everybody's eyes are opened. Good luck, let us know how it works out.
Sep 14, 2012 12:11:54 #
If you have any choice in the matter try to shoot this when the sky is overcast i.e. no direct sun. Direct sun in the eyes causes squinting and direct sun can also cause high contrast with some faces washed out and others in darkness. Fill flash is a lost cause unless you have professional gear. On a DX camera I would use nothing wider than 35mm or 50mm on an FX. Good luck! Especially good luck if you are supposed to be in the picture. If you are supposed to be in the picture I would recruit someone else to push the button. Set up on a tripod with a release cable. Get everything set up, then go get in the picture and let the recruit take the picture. If you try using the self timer and run to get into your spot for certain some people will be looking at you instead of the camera.
Sep 14, 2012 12:14:25 #
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