Group Shot Focus
Jun 25, 2016 13:18:09 #
More info the lens I will use is a nikon af-s 24-70 1:2.8G ED - it will be outside at 11:00 am so maybe sunshine ?
Jun 25, 2016 13:49:17 #
Thank you for the link - we will be in front of a gazebo with steps and the camera will be hand held
jim quist wrote:
Take a ladder. People look better when looking up ... (show quote)
Jun 25, 2016 13:52:58 #
Thank You to everyone for responding and helping - I will try andpost some pictures when I get them - Thanks again
Jun 25, 2016 14:56:47 #
OK. Outside, assuming good light. Put the 25 or so people in 3 rows (about 8 per rows - shortest in front) Ser the zoom to about 50mm and at f-8 or 11 speed at 200. ISO set to accomidate those settings, Focus on the middle row. Stand about 15 feet from the middle row. Depth of field will be about 6 feet . If you focus on the middle row s that should do it. That's what I would do. BTW the gazebo might be a distracting background as there might be posts sticking out of heads. Might be better to choose a better location. If the 50mm setting may not be wide enough, if so shorten the lens rather than stepping back, as this will nake the DOF even wider.
Jun 25, 2016 15:12:12 #
Thank You - the gazzebo is Huge all will fit between the post - my thought was to use the steps to elevate the back and center row - but there are different backgrounds I will try as it is in the city park with lots of options
Jun 25, 2016 23:05:11 #
Bear2
Loc: Southeast,, MI
boberic wrote:
Not enough info in your post, so we are all guessing here. Indoors- or outside. Off camera flash, if inside? (camera flashes are useless, in thiss situation). Background? What lens? Etc, etc
I disagree about camera flashes being useless outdoors etc. I often will use one of my speed lights outdoors, even out of normal range. Surprisingly, it brighten faces, remove shadows under the eyes, and very often add catch lights in the eyes.
Duane
Jun 25, 2016 23:15:14 #
Bear2 wrote:
I disagree about camera flashes being useless outdoors etc. I often will use one of my speed lights outdoors, even out of normal range. Surprisingly, it brighten faces, remove shadows under the eyes, and very often add catch lights in the eyes.
Duane
Duane
That depends on the size of the group and the number of rows. The people closer to the camera will be brightened more than the people on the back rows.
Jun 27, 2016 04:43:58 #
dickwilber
Loc: Indiana (currently)
The above advice about shooting from a [step] ladder and having the group face away from the light is very good. The accompanying aperture advice not so much! An aperture of f/5.6 or maybe f/8 will do great. (Plenty of DOF with this group.) Twenty-five people in three or four rows, staggered so you can see every face; keep them close together (not always easy if they are related), and focus on someone in the middle of the second row! If you have a good speed light, set it for fill flash (Nikon is great at this).
Your biggest problems will be getting them all lined up and together, and paying attention to you, and getting the children to stay still! Practice what you are going to do. Have your equipment all set up so you can work quickly (fiddling with adjustments will lose their attention immediately)! You want unequal rows, expanding (more people) towards the back; unequal so those in each successive row is between those immediately in front - staggered! Taller people to the rear, short ones up front! Chairs for elderly, etc. (2nd row.) Children in front, maybe bigger kids on a knee, infants in mothers arms in 2nd row if possible. Lots of luck. Don't forget to have fun!
Your biggest problems will be getting them all lined up and together, and paying attention to you, and getting the children to stay still! Practice what you are going to do. Have your equipment all set up so you can work quickly (fiddling with adjustments will lose their attention immediately)! You want unequal rows, expanding (more people) towards the back; unequal so those in each successive row is between those immediately in front - staggered! Taller people to the rear, short ones up front! Chairs for elderly, etc. (2nd row.) Children in front, maybe bigger kids on a knee, infants in mothers arms in 2nd row if possible. Lots of luck. Don't forget to have fun!
Jun 27, 2016 04:51:41 #
dickwilber
Loc: Indiana (currently)
Post Script: Change Mode to Aperture Preferred ("A" on my Nikons), and set aperture to f/5.6 (I've shot thousands of groups at f/5.6) but review resulting shutter speed and adjust if it's too high to use with speed light! It'll work.
Jul 1, 2016 13:24:04 #
romanticf16
Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
snoops wrote:
I will be taking pictures of our family and wonder what is the best way to get all the faces in focus ? I only use auto focus at the present time .I will be using my nikon D750 . Thank You all in advance
If you must use autofocus select spot mode, and place the spot on someone in the middle group(center if 3 rows, 1/3 from front if more than 3 rows), use aperture priority at f8 or f11,and set an ISO high enough to have a shutter speed of about 1/200.
Jul 1, 2016 15:28:32 #
Aperture priority set to F16 will allow family members to all be in focus. also try a few with f22 when shooting a large group of people
Depth of field comes into play and some faces will not be in focus. Thats where the F16 comes into play it changes the depth of field, allowing more to be in focus.
Depth of field comes into play and some faces will not be in focus. Thats where the F16 comes into play it changes the depth of field, allowing more to be in focus.
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