outdoor photo of large group (Page 2): If you do shoot up and at an angle, put thin people in front. That angle is not nice to those of us who enjoy food.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

If you do shoot up and at an angle, put thin people in front. That angle is not nice to those of us who enjoy food.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

One thing to keep in mind is to use a DOF calculator and make sure that everyone is in acceptable focus.

Agreed with the use of a ladder. Even with having people on the steps, the faces will look better. If the people have to look down at you, you'll get double chins, and up the nose shots.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Don't forget the group shot magic words.

"If you can't see the camera, you are not in the picture"

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I would not bracket exposures with a people shot like this. You can end up with the best shot, where the most people have good expressions, being one which doesn't have the best exposure. You have plenty of time while the people are assembling to do a couple test shots and check the histogram and get the optimum exposure. After all, that is one one the greatest advantages of shooting digital. And you certainly should be shooting RAW for a shot like this so you could make minor tweaks in exposure in post anyway. Even back in the film days, for a people shot like this, I would take careful readings with a hand held meter and determine the best exposure and stick with it.

chaprick

JohnSwanda wrote:

I would not bracket exposures with a people shot l... (show quote)

I understand your point on the bracketing, but sometimes a 1 stop underexposure can really allow you to bring out some great detail in post processing. It takes less than half a second to bracket 3 shots so I don't see expressions changing a lot and it would allow trying an HDL if he wants. With 75 people the chances of everyone ever having the perfect expression is almost impossible anyway. Just my thoughts.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

If you have photoshop or elements swaping faces in and out of group pictures is really easy

chaprick

dsmeltz wrote:

If you have photoshop or elements swaping faces in and out of group pictures is really easy

:thumbup:

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You did not say but is this a paid gig or are you part of the group?

If you are part of the group, there are more considerations.

ConnieLynn

I understand that Wonkie has the 50mm lens to use. My question would be if I were taking this picture and I have the 18-105mm 4.5 kit lens with the sb700 flash would this be more appropriate for this shot? will be doing something similar.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

ConnieLynn wrote:

I understand that Wonkie has the 50mm lens to use. My question would be if I were taking this picture and I have the 18-105mm 4.5 kit lens with the sb700 flash would this be more appropriate for this shot? will be doing something similar.

He is shooting outdoors at 6:00 pm. He should have enough sun unless facing west. What is your situation? Outdoor around the same time?

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

wonkie wrote:

Thank you, I guess I won't use a flash. I thought it would help brighten things up but if it will make it worse I will just do it without. I thought about doing a pano, good idea. I also have my kit lens, would it be better to use it at about 30mm to get a bit closer?

Forget the flash unless you have pro equipment. I would not try to get closer. With a longer lens and more distance, the pano swing between shots is less acute and critical and allow you to shoot faster. Higher ISO will allow faster shutter speed. With that many people, multiple shots will avoid everyone picking their nose at the same time.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Reinaldokool wrote:

Forget the flash unless you have pro equipment. I would not try to get closer. With a longer lens and more distance, the pano swing between shots is less acute and critical and allow you to shoot faster. Higher ISO will allow faster shutter speed. With that many people, multiple shots will avoid everyone picking their nose at the same time.

Cut and paste is the answer. And I am not referring to the nose pickers!

ConnieLynn

dsmeltz wrote:

He is shooting outdoors at 6:00 pm. He should have enough sun unless facing west. What is your situation? Outdoor around the same time?

Mine is after wedding pictures. Wedding is at 3:00, after party moves to parents home for group outside pictures. Most of the area that I will be in is wooded background with shade. Sunset here is around 7:00 to 7:30. Hoping to get to there for outside pics around 5:30 to 6:00 with about an hour of shooting time. I also have the Tamron 18-70 2.8. Which would you use? I plan to use the Tamron for inside the church.

sbesaw Loc: Boston

dsmeltz wrote:

You have 11 levels available including in front of... (show quote)

The Photographer's Ephemeris

wonkie

Thank you, I love the feedback. I am getting paid and I'm not in the photo. I think I'll take plenty of shots and then do some pano shots if I feel I have time, just to be safe. My cute hubby is going to help keep the focus forward by entertaining. He is great at this.