Group Shot - 30 People - Any Advice? :)

Steven001

Steven001

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Steven
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Evening! :)

Haven't done much photography in a while actually, but I've been "nominated" to take a group photo of about 30 people. I've got a tripod obviously, and as I'm going to be in the picture I'll be buying a remote as well.

The picture was previously taken by a professional photographer, but no one was happy with the result (eyes closed, people looking the wrong way etc..) so I'm going to retake it. It makes it easier for me to position everyone because I can just follow the original picture (I've never done anything like this before).

I was a fairly high quality result and think my biggest restriction will be my kit. The picture will be outside (hopefully) which should make the lighting easier. What sort of focal length would be good for a shot like this and what sort of aperture should I be aiming at?

Sorry for the long post folk!
- Steven
 
Never in a million years will you get everybody looking good at the same time, so take lots of frames and be prepared to spend a good while in post processing swapping heads and faces around. Tip - make sure you put the right heads on the right bodies :D

It's hard to be creative a with a big group like that, and obviously the most important thing with the reshoot is to get everybody clearly visible. A high camera position often helps with that.
 
Your best bet is to get up as high as possible.... shoot from a balcony onto the ground below, or from an open upstairs window... or failing that... use a step ladder.

This not only enable you to get everybodies faces in the shot a lot easier, but as everybody is looking up, it eliminates some of the shadows... just do it so they are facing away from the sun, else they will all be squinting!! Ideally it would be slightly cloudy to avoid harsh shadows altogether!

Another trick I have used to stop people form blinking mid shot... is... get everybody to close their eyes, and tell them to open them on the count of three, that way they will all have their eyes open when you take the shot!
 
HoppyUK said:
Never in a million years will you get everybody looking good at the same time, so take lots of frames and be prepared to spend a good while in post processing swapping heads and faces around. Tip - make sure you put the right heads on the right bodies :D

It's hard to be creative a with a big group like that, and obviously the most important thing with the reshoot is to get everybody clearly visible. A high camera position often helps with that.
Click to expand...

Yea I imagine it will be hard to get everyone look good, especially considering the photographer only took two photographs! I plan on taking at least 20 shots to try and get one decent one!

mm_photographic said:
Your best bet is to get up as high as possible.... shoot from a balcony onto the ground below, or from an open upstairs window... or failing that... use a step ladder.

This not only enable you to get everybodies faces in the shot a lot easier, but as everybody is looking up, it eliminates some of the shadows... just do it so they are facing away from the sun, else they will all be squinting!! Ideally it would be slightly cloudy to avoid harsh shadows altogether!

Another trick I have used to stop people form blinking mid shot... is... get everybody to close their eyes, and tell them to open them on the count of three, that way they will all have their eyes open when you take the shot!
Click to expand...

Both of you say try to get the camera as high as possible. My original plan was to have everyone on a few stairs in front of a castle door (3 rows, increasing in hight) the only problem with that is even with my tripod fully extended, it wont be eye level with the person in the back row.

Do you think the kit lens will be ok as well?
 
Steven001 said:
Yea I imagine it will be hard to get everyone look good, especially considering the photographer only took two photographs! I plan on taking at least 20 shots to try and get one decent one!



Both of you say try to get the camera as high as possible. My original plan was to have everyone on a few stairs in front of a castle door (3 rows, increasing in hight) the only problem with that is even with my tripod fully extended, it wont be eye level with the person in the back row.

Do you think the kit lens will be ok as well?
Click to expand...

Kit lens is fine, but avoid the widest end (because it stretches the edges a bit) and keep people away from the extreme edges anyway just to make sure they're sharp. I would shoot at f/8, for best sharpness and decent depth of field. Low ISO if you can for best quality.
 
Go with your steps idea, line them up first in height order then put the ten tallest at the back (tallest chap in the middle, shortest of the ten at the ends etc this will give you a nice shape to the photo. Don't worry about the tripod height, set it further back and then zoom in to frame it or stand on a chair/step ladder.
Follow Daryls advice about chatting etc. You will lose them long before 20 shots have been taken.
 
Daryl said:
30 is easy. 80 is fun. 150 is simple and 400+ is a great laugh. Groups formal or informal are easy to do. 30 you get done in 4 shots. with everyone looking the right way.

people magement is key. Be loud and funny. Keep talking to them all the time to keep attention.
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Agreed - bread and butter stuff - BUT if you're going to be in the picture as well - hire a photographer - it just won't work!
 
Daryl said:
So c'mon then Steven. How did it go?
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I haven't managed it yet, Daryl. I'm waiting on a day that everyone is here (should be Thursday) and then I'm going for the shot. I've already been out and chose my location, just hope the weather is good on Thursday! :)

As well as a "formal" one, I would be intersted in doing some fun if anyone has some idea?
 
Steven001 said:
I haven't managed it yet, Daryl. I'm waiting on a day that everyone is here (should be Thursday) and then I'm going for the shot. I've already been out and chose my location, just hope the weather is good on Thursday! :)

As well as a "formal" one, I would be intersted in doing some fun if anyone has some idea?
Click to expand...

10 abreast triple piggyback :) smallest at the back/top!
 
fire a starting pistol or burst a balloon
you may get some funny expressions...but all eyes...

you have to take charge...and be boss...not mr nice guy...after all its their time they are wasting

on a recent group shot i shouted at a guy on the end chatting and faffing around with his colleague..."hey look at the camera or get out!"

we all laughed of course as i am mr nice guy...with the velvet glove sort of thing
but he looked as did everyone else...

mr stallone was really nice about it...:D
 
Steven001 said:
Yea I imagine it will be hard to get everyone look good, especially considering the photographer only took two photographs! I plan on taking at least 20 shots to try and get one decent one!



Both of you say try to get the camera as high as possible. My original plan was to have everyone on a few stairs in front of a castle door (3 rows, increasing in hight) the only problem with that is even with my tripod fully extended, it wont be eye level with the person in the back row.

Do you think the kit lens will be ok as well?
Click to expand...

you don't need to be eye lever with the back row You need to be about mid way from top to bottom of the people i.e. feet to top of heads.
I would use as long a lens as possible with what space you have this will cut out the background more and you have a better looking shot
 
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