Shooting groups indoors
Dec 12, 2012 22:10:05 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
I've never tried shooting large groups indoors before. I'd like to take my camera to my son's for Christmas and get some shots of the mayhem but I'm not sure what I should haul with me. I have the following at my disposal and was looking for suggestions, advice and any opinions you'd care to share.
Nikon D90 camera
Nikon SB700 & SB900 flash units
Nikon ED AF-S 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 G
Nikon MICRO AF-S 105mm 1:2.8 G ED
Nikon AF 85mm 1:1.8 D
Nikon AF-S 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED (DX)
Nikon D90 camera
Nikon SB700 & SB900 flash units
Nikon ED AF-S 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 G
Nikon MICRO AF-S 105mm 1:2.8 G ED
Nikon AF 85mm 1:1.8 D
Nikon AF-S 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED (DX)
Dec 12, 2012 22:31:22 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
First; leave the 3 long lenses at home (indoor group shots will require a wide angle lens). Use the "commander" strobe (on the camera) to control the 700 and 900 (as remotes). Best to get an umbrella to diffuse the 900, aimed at the group, and bounce the 700 off a large (neutral colored) surface; think, maybe, ceiling... Try to keep the group(s) as "compact" as possible. I use steps like this quite often. If I need more than 2 command groups for flash control, I switch over to using my SU-800 as the commander, or use one of my 900's or 800's as the commander.
Dec 12, 2012 22:38:11 #
Dec 12, 2012 23:15:45 #
Pepper wrote:
I've never tried shooting large groups indoors bef... (show quote)
You will need a wider lens, that's for sure. And all the light you can get probably. Depending on your surroundings,,bouncing the light may be a good option for you. If not, you may have to go with more of a direct type to light everyone, depending on the size of your group.
This is by far the largest group I've ever photographed,,and it required a lot of light. 2 700ws strobes on each side, and 1000ws light panel in the middle. I was up on a catwalk,,making me a bit of a distance away. Use of stairs works well as you can see here. In the back they got a bit scrunched up. Although this is certainly not my best work,,the point here is to get your entire group lit as evenly as possible. Definately bring your flashes,,you'll probably need them both. The people in this group photo were some of the nicest folks I've ever had the pleasure to meet and do business with,,,that always helps :) Good luck.
Dec 13, 2012 03:12:06 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
rfmaude41 wrote:
First; leave the 3 long lenses at home (indoor gro... (show quote)
I assume I'm using the bounce for fill to control shadows?
Dec 13, 2012 07:49:47 #
Dec 13, 2012 12:10:36 #
Pepper wrote:
I've never tried shooting large groups indoors bef... (show quote)
If you don't have the space nor time to use umbrella's, etc. you can use a $6.25 velcro-mounted universal soft diffuser on your flash head and it does a rather nice job of giving a lot of softened non-glare light. Have every lamp in the room on and shoot with ISO 400 which reduces the amount of flash required and increases the amount of ambient light captured. Mine are called Pixco and I got them from a seller on eBay who is in the U.S. Shipping takes about two days and is free.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200697384645
Dec 13, 2012 12:25:13 #
Don't over think it Canon 60D with Canon 20-35mm at 20mm, Metz 45 CL-4 digital with Stofen
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A STOFEN
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A STOFEN
Dec 13, 2012 13:03:21 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
marcomarks wrote:
quote=Pepper I've never tried shooting large grou... (show quote)
Thanks marcomarks, I actually have two of the diffusers you refer to. Would you suggest I use both flashes, one on each side? Do you think the flash on my camera should be off? I know you can't know for certain because you don't know what the ambient lighting is but I'm just looking for a starting point. Another question would be should I use spot focusing and pick a person in the center and focus on their eyes?
Dec 13, 2012 13:35:59 #
Dec 13, 2012 13:42:02 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
JR1 wrote:
I use Pixco they are good value
At this point I'd be more interested in the how than in the what. I have two that were given to me but I've never used them. At this point all my photos are taken outside, either sports or wildlife. Indoor flash photography is brand new to me and I'm eager to hear any tips you may have to offer.
Thanks!
Dec 13, 2012 13:57:13 #
The above group was taken with the flash and STOFEN OFF camera and directed at up above the group.
SEE THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM&feature=plcp
SEE THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM&feature=plcp
Dec 13, 2012 14:27:57 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
JR1 wrote:
The above group was taken with the flash and STOFEN OFF camera and directed at up above the group.
SEE THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM&feature=plcp
SEE THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM&feature=plcp
Thanks JR1 several good videos there. Once I'm done with my work day I'll have some great stuff to learn from.
Thanks again to all of you guys you're great!
Dec 13, 2012 22:10:27 #
skidooman wrote:
quote=Pepper I've never tried shooting large grou... (show quote)
Looking at your group photo - can you tell me what wide angle lens did you use - am looking to purchase one
Dec 13, 2012 22:31:29 #
Aaron Braganza wrote:
quote=skidooman quote=Pepper I've never tried sh... (show quote)
With this photo I used my 17-35mm. It's a Tamron (the only one I own) I purchased several years ago. I don't use it much, but it does come in handy once in a while. I would love to get a Canon 17-40,,but at $800.00 it will have to wait until this summer.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.