gualbertoa wrote:
I was asked to take some soccer teams pictures in 2 weeks from now, these are teams of at least 25 people on it, what kind of lens should I need for this and if you can help with some settings I will aprreciate, it is for indoor and I'm guessing plenty of light will be available.
This is right up my alley... I have a company that shoots youth sports clubs for more than a decade. Usually teams are around 15 players? first; pose in 3 rows. 1st row, shitting cross legs, with the middle 2 kids holding the ball, 2nd row, kneeling. those kids will want to sit back on their heels as it is painful to kneel on a hard floor, let them sit on their heels till you are ready to shoot, then tell them to sit up. 3RD row. standing. If you are not using a backdrop then height of the kids or coaches is not a factor. If you plan on using a backdrop of 10' then place the coaches between row 1 and 2, kneeling on one knee, with the bent knee up so that the other knee is facing inward. This is how I pose them, ( forming a triangle) I set the 1st row first, then the second, making sure you stagger their heads between the heads in row in front of them. Avoid "stacking", that is where 1,2,3 rows are vertically in line. Row 1 will have either an even number or odd, IE: if the 1st row is an even count, then the second row should be an odd count.
Now as to lighting; It is almost never enough ambient ( existing light in the room) light to shoot a team. You will need "off camera" lighting. On camera speed light won't do! You will need 2 mono lights with umbrellas to light the team adequately!!!! There simply is not enough ambient/fill light to get the correctly exposure with a speed light!
Camera settings: Mono lights don't commonly have TTL they are strictly manual, so ambient light is not a factor. Set camera to Manual mode. ISO starting at 125%, aperture starting at F8 and adjusted to your histogram, shutter 1/100th ( ambient light doesn't figure into the exposure) all settings are for subjects only. I use Canon EF-24mm~104mm, Focus on the middle row.. Movement is not a big consideration as the strobe freeze frames. Place the lights high, tilted downward, as to drop the shadows, and far apart enough to evenly light the entire width.
If you do not have off camera lights, or have never taken groups or indoor shoots, I would suggest you consider not taking pictures, or move the shots outdoors, or position the team near a large door or window that will let more light in.. Low light photography is tricky. IM here to help you so feel free to ask any question no matter how trivial... this is a great group photo which is not mine but a good sample.