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Aug 18, 2012 12:17:34   #
Zero_Equals_Infinity Loc: Canada
 
CaptainC wrote:
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a 1.8 or 1.4 lens is a horrible idea. A tip I learned a few years ago was to use an f-stop AT LEAST equal to the number of people in the group. This is not so much a rule as as something to make one THINK about keeping everyone sharp. Having the BG a bit more in focus is preferable to having one or more people OUT of focus.

A 1.4 lens for a group shot? Disaster awaits.

Why a prime? So you have to keep moving to frame it right? Zooms are perfect for this type of work.

As to watermarking - you are going to give these to a friend on a disk. Why bother? Forget it.
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a... (show quote)


He can always stop it down as required, and foot frame as necessary to obtain the appropriate depth of field and subject perspective. The wider aperture lens gives more options and allows some beautiful single and couple portraits to be taken along with the group shot. The main advantage to the zoom is to avoid excessive foot framing and to allow in-camera cropping without changing lenses.

Maybe I am too old school, but I got some great group shots on my old Kodak Masterview 8"x10" and a 300mm (equivalent to a 50mm) prime. We all have different histories and methods though, and I only care about the results. Each brings their own to the table.

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Aug 18, 2012 12:25:43   #
marycar53 Loc: Tuscumbia Al
 
Boo Boo there is a way with Canon that you can attach your camera to your computer and have the Canon software tell the camera that you are the owner. So from then on your name appears on the property of the digital as the owner. No sure if you have that on your camera software.

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Aug 18, 2012 12:29:29   #
wisecrafter Loc: Pocahontas, Arkansas
 
Oh Hell... Just take the picture! ha ha ha

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Aug 18, 2012 12:36:35   #
CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver
 
Zero_Equals_Infinity wrote:
CaptainC wrote:
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a 1.8 or 1.4 lens is a horrible idea. A tip I learned a few years ago was to use an f-stop AT LEAST equal to the number of people in the group. This is not so much a rule as as something to make one THINK about keeping everyone sharp. Having the BG a bit more in focus is preferable to having one or more people OUT of focus.

A 1.4 lens for a group shot? Disaster awaits.

Why a prime? So you have to keep moving to frame it right? Zooms are perfect for this type of work.

As to watermarking - you are going to give these to a friend on a disk. Why bother? Forget it.
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a... (show quote)


He can always stop it down as required, and foot frame as necessary to obtain the appropriate depth of field and subject perspective. The wider aperture lens gives more options and allows some beautiful single and couple portraits to be taken along with the group shot. The main advantage to the zoom is to avoid excessive foot framing and to allow in-camera cropping without changing lenses.

Maybe I am too old school, but I got some great group shots on my old Kodak Masterview 8"x10" and a 300mm (equivalent to a 50mm) prime. We all have different histories and methods though, and I only care about the results. Each brings their own to the table.
quote=CaptainC Just my personal opinion, but the... (show quote)


You are attributing WAY to much photographic knowledge to someone who is obviously not anywhere near the level of experience to utilize what you propose. You did not explain HOW/WHY you would use the 1.4 - just...use it.

I am old school too, but I know what works better now. You can get a cool image with a pinhole camera, but let's help this person with what is most likely available.

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Aug 18, 2012 12:43:26   #
Zero_Equals_Infinity Loc: Canada
 
CaptainC wrote:
Zero_Equals_Infinity wrote:
CaptainC wrote:
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a 1.8 or 1.4 lens is a horrible idea. A tip I learned a few years ago was to use an f-stop AT LEAST equal to the number of people in the group. This is not so much a rule as as something to make one THINK about keeping everyone sharp. Having the BG a bit more in focus is preferable to having one or more people OUT of focus.

A 1.4 lens for a group shot? Disaster awaits.

Why a prime? So you have to keep moving to frame it right? Zooms are perfect for this type of work.

As to watermarking - you are going to give these to a friend on a disk. Why bother? Forget it.
Just my personal opinion, but the advice to use a... (show quote)


He can always stop it down as required, and foot frame as necessary to obtain the appropriate depth of field and subject perspective. The wider aperture lens gives more options and allows some beautiful single and couple portraits to be taken along with the group shot. The main advantage to the zoom is to avoid excessive foot framing and to allow in-camera cropping without changing lenses.

Maybe I am too old school, but I got some great group shots on my old Kodak Masterview 8"x10" and a 300mm (equivalent to a 50mm) prime. We all have different histories and methods though, and I only care about the results. Each brings their own to the table.
quote=CaptainC Just my personal opinion, but the... (show quote)


You are attributing WAY to much photographic knowledge to someone who is obviously not anywhere near the level of experience to utilize what you propose. You did not explain HOW/WHY you would use the 1.4 - just...use it.

I am old school too, but I know what works better now. You can get a cool image with a pinhole camera, but let's help this person with what is most likely available.
quote=Zero_Equals_Infinity quote=CaptainC Just m... (show quote)


Your point is well taken ... walk first, then run, and leave tightrope walking, ballet and ballroom dancing for much later.

Here is an excellent little video on composition for group photography outdoors ... http://www.ehow.com/video_4754266_outdoor-group-portrait-posing.html

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Aug 18, 2012 13:22:19   #
PhotoGator Loc: Florida
 
Excellent advise. I will add getting a disk deflector and a difuser.
Also if you do not have an assistant get a light stand for off camera flash. It will give you more flexibility. You can shoot nice sunset pictures. They are very warm and romantic. Try to shoot some during the Golden Hour. Let us know how it goes. Good shooting!

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Aug 18, 2012 13:58:22   #
Pepsiman Loc: New York City
 
Picasa1 if you know someone who has it, ask them to send you a photo, then click on try it now and it will download..

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Aug 18, 2012 15:00:38   #
The Watcher
 
After you've been here for awhile, those of us who have photography experience can quickly sort out who is giving the reliable advise. CaptainC, is one of those people. If you have any doubts about his portrait skills then check out his website listed below his posts. we,re lucky to have him on board. I know many professionals that will not share their knowledge like he does.

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Aug 18, 2012 18:12:17   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Boo Boo wrote:
Hello everyone. My friend asked me to take a family portrait at a beach, and this is my very first shoot so I'm very exited, but also VERY nervous! Any suggestions? I own a Nikon D5100, so I know that I do have the beach option on there. I know I'm supposed to take the picture either early in morning or later in the afternoon. So depending on the person, I'll suggest around 4ish in the afternoon and maybe between 7 and 8 AM. Does this sound right to anyone? There will be 6 people total, so I'm wondering who would I focus on? Also the ISO setting should be around 200 maybe 400 max? One last thing I'm wondering if there are any programs out there where I could edit the pics? I do have photoshop (CS5), but it's not installed on my computer yet. (it's a new computer). Any other input on what I could do to make the pic better would be much appreciated.
Hello everyone. My friend asked me to take a fami... (show quote)

This might be useful.
http://digital-photography-school.com/beach-photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/10-beach-photography-tips
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/ss/beachpictures.htm

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Aug 18, 2012 22:06:18   #
jlrivera Loc: Round Lake, Illinois
 
wisecrafter wrote:
Oh Hell... Just take the picture! ha ha ha


:D :lol: :mrgreen: :) :-) :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

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Aug 18, 2012 22:16:24   #
woman44004 Loc: ashtabula, ohio
 
Boo Boo wrote:
Hello everyone. My friend asked me to take a family portrait at a beach, and this is my very first shoot so I'm very exited, but also VERY nervous! Any suggestions? I own a Nikon D5100, so I know that I do have the beach option on there. I know I'm supposed to take the picture either early in morning or later in the afternoon. So depending on the person, I'll suggest around 4ish in the afternoon and maybe between 7 and 8 AM. Does this sound right to anyone? There will be 6 people total, so I'm wondering who would I focus on? Also the ISO setting should be around 200 maybe 400 max? One last thing I'm wondering if there are any programs out there where I could edit the pics? I do have photoshop (CS5), but it's not installed on my computer yet. (it's a new computer). Any other input on what I could do to make the pic better would be much appreciated.
Hello everyone. My friend asked me to take a fami... (show quote)


I like picmonkey.com to edit pictures and you don't have to download it.

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Aug 18, 2012 22:22:57   #
ShooterOR
 
Vetteran wrote:
Captain C covered it well.

Continuous setting for the shutter.

NOT a wide-angle setting.

Beware of background.


Oh, but did he mention to use a tripod?



;-)

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Aug 18, 2012 22:24:08   #
Dback4430 Loc: Lockport Il
 
andyc wrote:
oh yes did I say use a TRIPOD !!!!!!!!!


:thumbup:

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Aug 19, 2012 02:03:41   #
Vetteran Loc: Yorkshire. So big it has to be split.
 
Perhaps that lens advice was meaning a quality lens rather than actually to use f1.8 or f1.4?
Bear in mind that the camera has only one "Eye" and will freeze anything it "Sees", stuff that a human would not necessarily notice. Viewing a scene with one eye will help.
Accurate focus and NO camera shake are key elements.
And, hey hey, relax and enjoy - it's not the Spanish Inquisition.
Plenty of shots!
We all had to start somewhere.
(You might get "Ooh, I don't look like that" reactions - that's because they only ever see their reflection and never stationary.)

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Aug 19, 2012 02:11:52   #
Vetteran Loc: Yorkshire. So big it has to be split.
 
. . . and a focal length of 90mm or so would let you stand further back, avoiding distortions if some are sitting down. Less intimidating to the camera-shy too.

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