Method for photographing groups

dan_yorkshire

dan_yorkshire

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Dan
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Probably a daft question but something I want confirming in my head.

Never shot groups before and want to get them right at a wedding I'm
attending shortly.

Can I just check I have the right method for photographing groups of people
in my head.

Single point focus on the closest subject to the camera.
In aperture mode, select the aperture large enough to get the whole group
in focus.
Bump up the ISO or use a tripod where this lowers the SS below double the
focal length
Matrix metering.

If anyone has any tried and tested techniques different to this, please
advise.

Cheers
 
Single point focus on the closest subject to the camera.
In aperture mode, select the aperture large enough to get the whole group
in focus.
Bump up the ISO or use a tripod where this lowers the SS below double the
focal length
Matrix metering.
Click to expand...

Nearly! you need an aperture small enough, confusingly a higher number, IE f8 is smaller than f5.6!
You should focus one third of the way in as depth of field extends infront of the focus point as well as behind (the hyperfocal distance, it helps if your lens has a distance scale, or depth of field preview on your camera body.)

The wider the lens the greater the depth of field.........try and visit the venue and experiment until you find a suitable aperture.....
 
Dave Pickett said:
Nearly! you need an aperture small enough, confusingly a higher number, IE f8 is smaller than f5.6!
You should focus one third of the way in as depth of field extends infront of the focus point as well as behind (the hyperfocal distance, it helps if your lens has a distance scale, or depth of field preview on your camera body.)

The wider the lens the greater the depth of field.........try and visit the venue and experiment until you find a suitable aperture.....
Click to expand...

When I said larger aperture I meant larger DoF.

I'm aware of all the camera basics just questioning the method, I.e whether multiple focus points would give better results... Etc

Cheers
 
dan_yorkshire said:
Bump up the ISO or use a tripod where this lowers the SS below double the
focal length
Click to expand...

This is wrong a tripod is a no no if its too slow for you to hand hold its too slow for the group to stand still.

Bump the Iso and get the flash as high as possible looking to bounce it off the celling about midway through the group
 
I try to get the Bride and Groom central.

I get people to stand slightly angled to the right if on the right and to the left if on the left, that way you can generally get more people in / people are larger in the photograph.

Use steps if possible, sometimes i try to use a bench with the bride and groom sitting on it with bridesmaids either side
 
Usual sort of wedding groups I suppose 6,7,8?

General question really of two or more people where they stand at different distances away from the camera.
 
B&G in the middle with even numbers on either side in a slight arc. 125th @f8 will do it. Same setting even if doing split groups.

Not sure exactly what you mean about "two or more people where they stand at different distances away from the camera." got any examples?
 
Cheers for your answers, the main question part I wanted confirming is the focus method.

Dont know whether to use single point focus or multipoint focus.

Dont suppose it matters too much when using apertures over f4 etc
 
Focus on the B&G - given they're likely to be in the middle I would just use single point and recompose if necessary.
 
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