Group Shot - 18 people - Advice please..

[Deleted member 9479]

So here's the picture (no pun intended).. I have been practicing my portraits and so fo so good - i'm happy with the results and so are my models (mainly family, friends, friends of friends etc..). I have a small purpose built studio at home (ok it was the dining room but it is now a studio) and it works great for commercial work (objects, product shots etc..) and small groups (no more than 4) and of course individual portraits.

I have just had a call from a friend we did some shots for, who was absolutely delighted with them, and so were the rest of her family. So much so that they want to book me for a family portrait.. all 18 of them in one photo!!

So the are the questions:

1. My studio is no way big enough and I don't think hiring a studio is practical. What about outdoor locations.?

2. I have a 40D - what lens would you advise.

3. 18 people sounds a lot to me to manage - any suggestions on how to run this shoot.

 

[specialman]

Studio hire can be expensive - are there any cool areas near you that would be good for an outdoor shoot?

I've done a few 20+ group shots and found both my 12-24mm and the 18-70mm worked fine at a range of focal lengths. I do find wide angles can start to distort groups though if you shoot from the wromg viewpoint. Personally, I'd go with something like 30-50mm where you'll have less distortion and convergance and where you can get a bit more focal length compression.

It's just a case of stacking your subjects correctly; too wide and you need A) more space, and B) you'll struggle to light it if flash comes into play. Stack them too deep and you might get cropped heads etc as people stand behind one another.

That's my twopennethworth...

 

[snapzz]

Large groups in small areas are not that much of a problem. OK maybe your studio is not quite as big as this room but believe me it was tight. Using corners and furniture can give width and height variation. People of various sizes can be a bigger problem as with this wedding group.

 

[specialman]

Snapzz, good example of stacking 'em properly so heads aren't obscured and Gramps isn't looking up the bridesmaid's dress!!

 

[snapzz]

Thanks, with bridesmaids that young Gramps may have been in trouble! :nono:


The boy on the right was suppose to be stood behind his dad (which would have tightened the group abit) but he just leant on his shoulder and "posed" so I left him there.