Large group potography
Discussion
hoping to pick the brains of a few of the more experienced group photographers here. I tend to stick to couples and singles for portraits, indoor and out but have just landed a nice group gig.
There is approx 50 to 60 people in the group which goes beyond the stuff I have currently done. The aim is for one nice large group shot with a prominent building/object in the background. I am in a few minds on what to do and lens to use.
One part of me says ignore the building/background as I don't think it will make for a good image. Instead of that I was considering getting them in a circle group and climb up a set of ladders to get all of them in.
On the other mind I was thinking of perhaps going for a 14mm lens and getting them in one long line for a large wide angle picture, I dont really think that would work
Or the alternate was to do either 2 or 3 rows of people but the issue there is getting it posed.
So over to you guys for a bit of advice! Any would be really really welcomed!
There is approx 50 to 60 people in the group which goes beyond the stuff I have currently done. The aim is for one nice large group shot with a prominent building/object in the background. I am in a few minds on what to do and lens to use.
One part of me says ignore the building/background as I don't think it will make for a good image. Instead of that I was considering getting them in a circle group and climb up a set of ladders to get all of them in.
On the other mind I was thinking of perhaps going for a 14mm lens and getting them in one long line for a large wide angle picture, I dont really think that would work
Or the alternate was to do either 2 or 3 rows of people but the issue there is getting it posed.
So over to you guys for a bit of advice! Any would be really really welcomed!
What about posing them on a sloping bank? They would all be standing comfortably and you'd see everyone in the shot.
If you want to go to great lengths then man-woman-man-woman would look neat, tallest at the back.
Probably the best thing you can do is talk to them all at the beginning, make them understand that for the shot to work they must do as they are told, when they are told(tell them nicely of course
). You must be bossy, and give positive direction, or it'll turn into a farce.
Martin.
If you want to go to great lengths then man-woman-man-woman would look neat, tallest at the back.
Probably the best thing you can do is talk to them all at the beginning, make them understand that for the shot to work they must do as they are told, when they are told(tell them nicely of course
). You must be bossy, and give positive direction, or it'll turn into a farce. Martin.
At one of my sisters' weddings*, the photographer got everyone to stand in 2s/3s/4s on a lawn, then got up a small step ladder, and shot the whole group from a height of about 9-10 feet. The shot turned out really well.
If a ladder's out of the question, one option is to hold the camera up at arm's length and fire the shutter.
To gain more height, you could attach the camera to a monopod, then lift the whole lot into the air (ie you hang on to the "bottom" end), which will give a shooting height of 10-12 feet I guess, and either fire the shutter remotely, or via timer (this option takes a bit more bottle than just at arm's length!).
*I have a lot of sisters, who've all only been married once, rather tha just one sister who's been married a lot of times.
If a ladder's out of the question, one option is to hold the camera up at arm's length and fire the shutter.
To gain more height, you could attach the camera to a monopod, then lift the whole lot into the air (ie you hang on to the "bottom" end), which will give a shooting height of 10-12 feet I guess, and either fire the shutter remotely, or via timer (this option takes a bit more bottle than just at arm's length!).
*I have a lot of sisters, who've all only been married once, rather tha just one sister who's been married a lot of times.
thanks dibble
I think the problem there is the composition will be neigh on impssible. I have six foot step ladders and with my 6 foot on top of that I should be able to get the elivation - I'll give it a trial run and see what happens.
We're off to the sites on Saturday and will see how it goes. I do know that near one of the locations there is an elivated section, I just think getting the background in and keeping the shot interesting will be hard so I am thinking about blending it in to the shot afterwards
I think the problem there is the composition will be neigh on impssible. I have six foot step ladders and with my 6 foot on top of that I should be able to get the elivation - I'll give it a trial run and see what happens.
We're off to the sites on Saturday and will see how it goes. I do know that near one of the locations there is an elivated section, I just think getting the background in and keeping the shot interesting will be hard so I am thinking about blending it in to the shot afterwards
I managed this rather large group shot back in feb:
I'd done a similar one the year before, but there were a few more of us this year
To get the elevation needed, I stood on the roof of the garage we were at:
I had to boss the lot of them around to get the shot, but they're all used to that by now!
Did a similar one in wales last year:
I know they're not people, but the problems are the same
I'd done a similar one the year before, but there were a few more of us this year
To get the elevation needed, I stood on the roof of the garage we were at:
I had to boss the lot of them around to get the shot, but they're all used to that by now!
Did a similar one in wales last year:
I know they're not people, but the problems are the same
If you shoot them all in a line the pic could be extreeemly wide - you'll need to borrow Mr. Gravy's new 6x17.
If you stand them in rows the shy ones will hide behind other people so you'll need to check that all the faces are visible.
The chances of everybody looking at the camera at the same time are improved if you have a starting pistol / loudhailer / amusing glove puppet, etc.
If you can, use a tripod and do three shots - if time and budget allows you can then pick the best expression on each person and Photoshop them together.
Good luck!
If you stand them in rows the shy ones will hide behind other people so you'll need to check that all the faces are visible.
The chances of everybody looking at the camera at the same time are improved if you have a starting pistol / loudhailer / amusing glove puppet, etc.
If you can, use a tripod and do three shots - if time and budget allows you can then pick the best expression on each person and Photoshop them together.
Good luck!
I think the single row is well out of the option for several reasons but the main limiting factor is that I am shooting with 35mm.
If I was to shoot 2 rows of 30 starting with the tallest on the rear middle working outwards and forwards I should be able to balance them out quite well.
This would bring me back down to taking a shot from normal level and with a tripod (I agree with what you say about photoshopping so will work to that idea...)
with regards to the distance and zoom what works best in this scenario? Group is a new challenge but not too much different technically from portraits but it is significantly different enough for me to have questions... life would be easier with a medium or large format but I don't have that kit so have to work with the limitations of 35mm
If I was to shoot 2 rows of 30 starting with the tallest on the rear middle working outwards and forwards I should be able to balance them out quite well.
This would bring me back down to taking a shot from normal level and with a tripod (I agree with what you say about photoshopping so will work to that idea...)
with regards to the distance and zoom what works best in this scenario? Group is a new challenge but not too much different technically from portraits but it is significantly different enough for me to have questions... life would be easier with a medium or large format but I don't have that kit so have to work with the limitations of 35mm
Even with the height ordering you'll still need to stagger the people so the ones behind aren't hidden. This is much less critical if you can introduce a height differential by sitting the first row down, or standing the back row on benches. The ideal scenario would be an attractive flight of steps, or you up on a fair sized step ladder.
I agree that it's still a portrait, but having to keep the attention of all 60 means you'll need to be a bit assertive. From a lighting point of view, all you can do is hope for bright overcast and take a big flashgun to lighten the shadows if you have full sun.
Wide angle lens will put you closer to the group, but watch for distortion at the edges. Longer lens means you may have to shout.
A final thought - is your Public Liability insurance up to date?
I agree that it's still a portrait, but having to keep the attention of all 60 means you'll need to be a bit assertive. From a lighting point of view, all you can do is hope for bright overcast and take a big flashgun to lighten the shadows if you have full sun.
Wide angle lens will put you closer to the group, but watch for distortion at the edges. Longer lens means you may have to shout.
A final thought - is your Public Liability insurance up to date?
its non-existant at the minute but getting it sorted
actually any recomendations on the photographer insurance as a lot of places I speak to wont touch me
Back to the shoot I'm going on a sighting trip on saturday to check the location out, lighting is taken care of by some remote speedlights etc so should be covered
actually any recomendations on the photographer insurance as a lot of places I speak to wont touch me
Back to the shoot I'm going on a sighting trip on saturday to check the location out, lighting is taken care of by some remote speedlights etc so should be covered
get them in height order, try to find some sort of area where there is natural elevation and stand them in 3 rows of 20ish. that would be ideal, what sort of job is it, do you have access to seating? 40 chairs, or even benches at the back.
make sure they are all in between heads, and specifically tell people to keep looking over the shoulders and NOT the head of the person in front.
as said above, if you can get a row sitting at the front that would be a perfect situation.
make sure they are all in between heads, and specifically tell people to keep looking over the shoulders and NOT the head of the person in front.
as said above, if you can get a row sitting at the front that would be a perfect situation.
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