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Photography Question 

Stephanie Stokes 		 

group photos


I have been asked to take a family photo of a large group - 32 people made up of adults and children. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on what specific camera settings I should use. and how to pose such a large group. The photo will (hopefully) be taken outside in the early morning. I am using a canon eos20d with (I think) my 24-70mm lens. Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks !


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May 31, 2008

 

W. 		 
Shoot against the sun, 70mm, tripod, fill-flash if you can, shoot as many frames as possible, in RAW.

Or shoot down on the group from a balcony or roof while they all, bunched together and looking at the lens, shout "SEX" at the same time.

Have fun!


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May 31, 2008

 

Debby A. Tabb 		  Stephanie,
where are you shooting, park beach,...?
knowing this will help to know if you have natural posing stools such as rocks,tree stumps ect.
With posing groups in a close pattern you would first figure who the matriarchs are : great grand Parents/Greand Parents.
Then how many Adult children with family.
Lets say there are GrandParents and thier adult children lets say 4.

Ok I sit the Parents first then thier 4 adult children stand behind them,
Usually the oldest boy at POPs shpoulder and oldest girl at MOMs shoulder.
Then I add each spouce next to the adult children.
teens and taller children can go in next. trying to keep the family units together as much as possible.
now using floor space as well if needed.
then add babies and toddlers on grandparents laps,standing next to grand parents and on floor.

A good group close pose(Traditional) will have 1/2 a head difference taller or smaller between each person in a row.
Subjects in the second row should be a head and 1/2 taller then the first , same for third & fourth rows as well.

when posing for a Candid more relaxed group pose, you want every one to be casual and more spread out.

When posing use diamonds and triangles as you head placement guide.

There maybe graphs on the Studio Photography threads there are on my CDs if you have those.
I am posting the links for part one of the 23 Studio Photography threads.
(containing posing , equiptment,business of...)

PART1:
http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17534


and if you need some graphting,I can see if I can add some tomorrow,but it is late and I just got home from work,and it's been a long day with 13 sitting!
I do hope this will help,
Debby Tabb


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May 31, 2008

 

Stephanie Stokes 		  thank you guys for your responses ! Debby - I am shooting outside in front of the grandparents' house. I will try to keep the families together as much as possible. Another question I have is how do I keep everyone in focus in such a large group? I believe they will want a larger print - perhaps a 16x20. Any recommendations on what camera settings I should use?
thanks again !
Stephanie


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June 01, 2008

 

W. 		 
 
  Megapixel PrintChart Quick Guide
Megapixel PrintChart Quick Guide

W.

  
 

"how do I keep everyone in focus in such a large group?"

Use aperture priority (say, F/8.0), press the shutter halfway to lock the focus in, watch/listen for the focus confirmation signal, then press through for the exposure.
Settings: shoot against the sun, 70mm, tripod, fill-flash if you can, shoot as many frames as possible, in RAW.

As for a 20x16" print: have a look at the megapixel print chart. 20x16" is going to be difficult for a D70.


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June 01, 2008

 
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