mrozzoo Loc: Illinois

these are a screenshot from the finished group photo.... I didn't want to show name etc info all were sized for 8x10 prints.

Approx. 50 people per group one strobe on full power took 5-7 images and chose the best one

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Others have commented on the arrangement of folks and and the use of a ladder. I suspect a focal length of 24 or 35mm would be the best choice. A hemi-circle arrangement minimizes camera to subject distance. Take a burst of pictures a couple of times.

The position of the sun is important. Off to a side but slightly in front would likely work. You don't want backlight or folks squinting. A slightly overcast day even better.

In the old days such a photo would be taken using a large format camera. (3.25 x 4.25, 4 x5 or 5 x7in) The reason for this would to have enough information on the negative for faces to be recognized. One must have a significant number of pixels on a face.

You can practice in a field. Place your camera on a tripod and stand at a few distances sufficient for 55 people.
Can you recognize yourself (remote shutter) or a model.

You application would be good for a higher pixel FF or Medium Format Camera but you need to do the best that you can with your set up.

Pierre Bouillon Loc: Québec (QC), Canada

Hi Robert,

Here is my humble advice. I've taken a lot of photo of large groups when I was a political advisor (usually 5, 8...up to 20... and 50-70 on rare occasions. For a very large group:
1- Bring a medium size ladder. It will help you to get the last rows and to shoot over the tall guys.
2- Place the VIPs on the front row.
3- Curiously, let the others to assemble at their will, but making sure you have empty space around the edges of your frame.
4- Say to the guys: "If you do not see me with your two eyes, you will not be good on the photo..." That way, each person will find a way to have at least half of her face in the camera view.
5- You say to the guys, "Look a me!" showing your lens. "Oops! Sir, with the blue shirt, you are not looking a me". The distracted others will follow suit...
6- You say "OK, I will make a test, look at me! 3, 2, 1... click" In fact, it is not a test, you take 3 or 4 photos: they are your backup, and maybe one of these is the photo of the day! Make the final adjustments with the distracted guy...
7- Finally, you say, "OK guys, this is the historic moment! Your best smile...3, 2, 1...click...another one...3, 2, 1, click...And a last one...3,2,1...Final click.

Why the 3, 2 ,1? You do not want the guys to force a smile for 20 seconds... Often, amateur photographers do not give directions, so the poor "models" do not know when to hold their composure.

Please forgive this step by step advice. I hope it will be useful.

If possible, bring a back up camera. And don't forget, work with the sun in your back.

Pierre Bouillon

JohnRobertson45

A tip that I read many years ago is to tell the group to close their eyes and open them on the count of 3. Take the photo right after you hit that count. This is a way to make sure everyone's eyes are open for the shot. I have used this for family group photos and it works really well.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Good idea.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Agree on taking a lot of shots. I have shot smaller groups (10 or so) and found you need to take more photos than you think you need to take. Hard to get all people looking in the same direction with an acceptable expression at the same time.

RobertH

Thanks for all the great tips, I’ve read them all. Some key take always are to bring a ladder and shoot from high (was planning on that), close eyes, count to three, shoot, and shot with sun at your back. That last one may be tricky, as I likely won’t have control of time of day or shot direction, as there’s a particular background I’m trying to get.

The other trick is going to be balancing shooting down on the group, while at the same time including a high background. I did some scouting today, and like the attached shot for a setting. As you can see, the trick will be to get the group with the coaster in the background, which is a key element for the shot. Any suggestions on how to best pose the group in this somewhat odd space would be appreciated.

Question: Do you think one or more speedlights would be useful for fill, or is the distance likely too great? I’m a bit surprised at how well a speedlight lit one of the indoor groups that was posted.

(Download)

RobertH

I knew someone would make this comment. Thanks for not disappointing! 😀

No, I really DON’T want to do it, and tried to get out of it. I tried reaching out to the three internal pro photogs I knew, but it turns out they’ve all left the company. As for asking for donations to hire an outside pro, that’s just ridiculous for this type of shot. It’s a big enough imposition just asking the group to pose for it.

Perhaps you’d be willing to come to Orlando to shoot it for me, since I gather you’re likely a pro? I’d be happy to get you some comp tickets for your trouble.

RobertH

That’s a really wide shot. Is that a single frame, or a pano / stitch together?

xposure

I used to shoot High School reunions, sometimes with over 100 people. I used chairs. First row on the floor, second row on chairs, 3rd row on 2 chairs stacked, fourth row standing and last row standing on chairs. If no chairs available, I used stairs to stack them. Of course, I was also standing on a chair to elevate my angle. If you want me to send you Photos for reference email and ask. exposurephoto99@gmail.com

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

This is an example of the problem I mentioned in my earlier post, volume deformation distortion on the extreme edges of the frame when using a wide-angle lens. The people on both edges are distorted and look much heavier than they actually are.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

A method I've used with good results is taking 2 to 3 shots of the group. Take a shot of the left half followed by a shot of the right. Then merge them horizontally. I've got great results.

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

Here is a fascinating, yet a vary interesting option. It might work for you but then it may not. What is so fasinating is that there are others here on the Hog who may have never herd of this but most Americans have seen the results of this mans work. The point being is that this is a vary real thing and is alive and going strong. The company's name is D.F. Goldbeck and Sons. Now, today, it is no longer "Sons" but great grand Sons. Located in San Antonio Texas, but stop, they are located across the southern United States, and they travel across several States.

By the by, if you want there is a book about Goldbeck and his life that is published. Interesting read, and if your a person still alive from WW II, before or after, this is a great read into the period of time. Like did you know that Goldbeck traveled through the Pacific and he allowed the US Government to use his photographic work to make images for study in preparations for the war against Japan? During the Cold War with Russia much of the images he made while traveling in the USSR were also used by our government. Alot of interesting information if you like history of the US and the world during the 20th Century. Of course loads of this information is housed at the University of Texas, Austin, Humanity Research Center, Austin Texas.

These are the guys that do panoramic portraits of groups, large and small. They use real film in the Kodak Citcut 10 Panoramic Camera (has been made sense about 1910c). Now this is a super easy sale, they charge absolutely nothing to make the group portrait, they set up the appointment at a location and they show up, prepared to make the image. You want more? The image is archived and anyone can order a copy at anytime. They have been doing this sense about 1920 and they are a strong business. The CEO is the Great Grand son of the original owner D.F. Goldbeck.

What is the company doing? Making money. Probably the best photographic company in the world. They make millions each year. And it is located in San Antonio Texas. They are on the internet and you can contact them to see about setting up a photo. This is how all over Texas and the States around Texas get all those wonderful group portraits made. The things that are so amazing are that it cost nothing to have the portrait made, it is 'forever', and even if you are dead your next generations can order a copy of the image. What more can you ask? What is the cost? About $30 for B&W or $45 for color, shipping included. Oh and you got no excuse, you may be 25 years old, but you can still get a copy when your 65 or dead! What a deal!

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Most amusement parks have roving pros taking pictures all the time. Utilizing their skill would alleviate your anxiety and provide fulfillment options for everyone. I would do some research and call the park. Explain your large group situation and ask for the most experienced photographer. I’m sure they will oblige.