Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

So if I understand it CK your group shot will have more adults than have posted in this thread. Boy has the hog came through again.

Have fun!

J. R.

JohnTxNC

I have all three of the lens mentioned and the 6D.... With group photos ... I have a favorite. . .

In my opinion, you will need a higher Fstop.... .. F/7.1 or better .. You will want to shoot wide to get everyone but as stay as long as you can.. The tendency is to stay below 50mm, but go longer if you can. Wider lenses tend to make the wider people wider so stay at 60mm or longer and position the wider individuals in the middle of the grouping. Next is the subject of fill lighting .... Will it be on board or off camera? . . . . On board my require you to be a bit closer .. Off camera is preferred. Long story short (and yes, too late for that) ... The 24-105 F/4.0 is a great lens for this project. Canon includes the 24-105 as a kit lens and it's often discounted as a secondary choice,.. .. but the truth is, it's a powerful and effective lens!

Group portraits are tough because you now have 5 to 10 faces to capture perfectly ... Keep it fun and relaxed ... Position them where they are not facing the sun an add fill lighting to fill in those shadows... Off camera is preferred .... Again ... Make it fun and you will be successful!

Good luck & let ud know how it went! !

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

John are you using Nikon lenses on your 6D? The OP is using Nikon I believe, but what the hell this is the HOG!

J. R.

JohnTxNC

No no Im using Canon ... And Canon lenses

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

The OP has a Nikon with Nikon glass. So it is rather difficult for you and me to have the same as she does. I hope you like your 6D as well as I do mine.

J. R.

JohnTxNC

J. R. Thanks for the clarification ... I saw full frsme, 50mm F1. 8, 85mm and 120mm but read it as the F/4.0 24mm-105mm... A lens that I do love!!

Yeah, love the 6D! I long for more versatility in cross type focus points though ....

Night

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I mirror you glass, plus some more. I use single point very much of the time. Tracking focus.

J. R.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Would the distortion have been any different if you had used a longer lens at the same distance?

CKBailey Loc: Omaha

I have never posted a photo within a discussion (so hopefully this will go to the right group and discussion), but so many of you offered such great suggestions that I thought some CC after the fact would be helpful. 50mm f 9 ISO 200 shutter 125

Ok. Well I had my photo shoot with the extended family and I learned A LOT. First off DON'T let them talk you into shooting at 3:00 pm even if they have dinner plans, especially if the men are wearing sweaters and it's an unseasonably warm 80 degree afternoon :) After that it was my hope to start with the 50mm for experience and then move to the 24-120 because I was more familiar with it, and hopefully do some couple pics with my 85mm. Well I could sense that the guys were done after 20 minutes (the girls would have kept going) so I never got past the 50mm. WOW ! I have a new respect for those of you who are professional family photographers. Not only do you have to be able to know your equipment and adjust on the fly, you have to be a psychologist and comfortable delegating. It was fun and they were actually very patient, but I would love another chance. As I said CC is welcomed. I'm pretty tough :)

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

Trust me, you were lucky if they gave you cooperation for a full 20 minutes! You should try a wedding party! "When does the bar open?" "OK, you got a picture, let's party!" Etc., etc., etc. (It only works at all because the bridesmaids are tougher than the guys.)

Hope you had fun.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

You did many things that add to your shot. The exposure appears to be correct, focus is sharp, colors seem accurate, and your models earned their fees. You composed in a manner that we can see 7 beautiful smiles, no squinting or scowling and not hats covering the faces. The sun position at 3:00 is at your subjects' back but not where it blows out the background. These things may sound unimportant but they are what we see in photos like yours and many times they are done in a fashion to degrade the image. Your last three sentences show that you put a lot of thought into this shot. The shot proves it. Here is a suggestion to help reduce turmoil in the future when a viewer asks who the blob with the headband is, move in closer, or consider cropping the shot. Does the background really make the shot more important to the family? (That question does not have a yes or a no answer). Your photography is a compliment to your family. They should be proud of your effort. Nice job.