Group photo tips?

twilight_samurai · 11-07-2014, 01:39 PM

During naturally lit group photos, I think it's a good idea to take a burst of shots each time so that you hopefully will have a one clean shot with everyone's eyes open. If not, you'll at least have enough shots to cut/paste someone's eyes into another frame.

Open shade areas are your friend.. although it's not the most exciting lighting situation, for group photos it's nice to have everyone evenly lit without any hot spots or shadowy areas. You mentioned that time is a factor.. you don't want to be messing around with external lighting and reflectors and whatnot so the safest, quickest lighting scenario imho is open shade.

If there are going to be different group combinations, ask your dad to prepare a list beforehand so you or him (probably would be better if it's him as he knows the employees) can wrangle the different combos together. Once they're gathered, you can fine tune their placement within the group.

If they're smaller groupings and will be standing side by side, make sure that they're perfectly lined up. People have a tendency to form a U shape when they line up for photos. Once they're in a straight line, you won't have to worry about your DOF so much because everyone should be within the plane of focus. I also think it's nice to use a longer focal length to get the telephoto compression look for these smaller group shots.

kjg48359 · 11-08-2014, 08:24 AM

There has certainty been a lot of great information/advice here! I hope you decide to post your favorite shots and some thinking that went into them!

loco · 11-09-2014, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by vagabond79

I have also read through this thread with great enjoyment. Group photography is something I am inexperienced with but curious to learn more about.

I think it would be great if you could post a few of the photos once you are done (with your comments on the situation, lighting, etc.) so we can learn from your experience.

Cheers!

I will try to do that, vagabond. Glad you have enjoyed the thread.

My Dad isn't the most patient person and I don't think he wants this to take very much time out of his workers' day. LOL So, I'm preparing for having to rush a bit. Probably this will be an experience you guys can learn not to replicate!!

vagabond79 · 11-09-2014, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by loco

I will try to do that, vagabond. Glad you have enjoyed the thread.

My Dad isn't the most patient person and I don't think he wants this to take very much time out of his workers' day. LOL So, I'm preparing for having to rush a bit. Probably this will be an experience you guys can learn not to replicate!!

Just browsed your flickr page -- beautiful images! I have a feeling you will do fine with your group shot task.

loco · 11-09-2014, 04:45 PM

Thanks very much, that's very kind of you!

You have some beautiful shots on your page, including some lovely macros!

loco · 11-11-2014, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

OK, as I suspected, this was hectic and rushed. What my Dad really wanted was a quick snapshot and anyone could've done that for him. I managed to talk him into two different locations, but that was all the time he wanted to take.

So, as I said, this will actually be about things you should NOT do when taking a group photo...

1. Don't let them rush you!! Ask the person making the request if you will be given time to properly set up and also to check the photos before everyone is sent away.

2. Lighting is important. Duh! Yes, there are shadows and there really wasn't much I could do about that under the circumstances. I elected to have them stand at an angle to the sun in hopes they wouldn't have to squint as much. It really didn't make that much difference and now I wish I'd just had the sun at my back to get rid of the shadows. Oh well. I wish it had been an overcast day. The only other option would've been to find a shady spot somewhere. In fact, that probably would've been the best option.

3. Do not leave and do not let the group disperse until you have thoroughly checked to see if everyone is looking at the camera in the photos. I thought I had checked, but as you can see, one guy in the sign photo is looking in the complete other direction. *facepalm* I am not good enough at Photoshop to take his head from another shot, so we are stuck with it.

4. Do NOT let the group bully you. Be assertive. Tell people where to stand, tell them to take their sunglasses and hats off!

Don't be shy, like I was!

I could go on making excuses, but the fact is I feel embarrassed about these and really didn't want to post them. Please don't feel your advice fell on deaf ears. I think I was overwhelmed by the group dynamic a bit. Knowing the need for them to get back to work quickly, I wasn't assertive as I should've been about taking my time, posing them properly, etc. I did stop and get some guys who were "hiding" to come out front, but they could've been arranged much better than they were.

What went right? Ummmm.... Well, I do think getting up high on a ladder worked well.

So, there you have it. A learning experience for sure. I do not know if this is really my type of photography. I'd much rather be shooting my cats than people!! Thanks again to everyone for all the advice you gave me. I hope this thread will help others not to repeat my mistakes.

vagabond79 · 11-11-2014, 04:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by loco

OK, as I suspected, this was hectic and rushed. What my Dad really wanted was a quick snapshot and anyone could've done that for him. I managed to talk him into two different locations, but that was all the time he wanted to take.

So, there you have it. A learning experience for sure. I do not know if this is really my type of photography. I'd much rather be shooting my cats than people!! Thanks again to everyone for all the advice you gave me. I hope this thread will help others not to repeat my mistakes.

Good job.

Looks like you did the best you could.

I really like the setting for each picture. The lumber and then the sign with beautiful rolling hills in the background.

That sun looks pretty bright. I think someone suggested using open shade but I'm not sure how available it was at your location.

I'm curious to see what some of the other posters with more experience have to say.

Thank you for sharing!

schnitzer79 · 11-12-2014, 01:09 AM

second pic looks really good

loco · 11-12-2014, 07:39 AM

Thank you both.

Marktax · 11-19-2014, 02:12 PM - **1 Like**

You were rushed, but both pics still have the necessary narrative content, so you did better than what the client probably thought he wanted. Shooting somewhat down on them was a good decision in both shots. Number 2 is the company Christmas card, no doubt.

loco · 11-19-2014, 02:30 PM

Thanks Marktax. Appreciate the feedback!

kjg48359 · 11-19-2014, 06:09 PM - **1 Like**

I think both pictures turned out well! Sometimes it just seems like the more you know, the more you fret but in the end it's all good!

loco · 11-20-2014, 07:00 AM

Thank you, Kevin.

**frogoutofwater** · 11-20-2014, 07:51 AM

I think you did a great job. And photographing cats is great training for photographing groups (there's a reason the phrase "like herding cats" exists and it's relevant for group photography).

On your point 3, one thing I learned from my first large group photo shoot (where I was the assistant) is that it's useful to have an assistant - he or she doesn't have to be a photographer, just someone who's not going to be in the photo. That person stands with you and focuses on scanning the group and checking to make sure all faces are forward and visible. A second set of eyes really comes in handy.

I'm not sure how much post-processing you've done on the images you shared but I'm wondering if you can work on the faces a bit in LR to tone down strong sunlight on some parts of their faces and open up the shadows on other parts.

loco · 11-20-2014, 10:09 AM

frogoutofwater,

Thanks for the feedback. You are right - an assistant would've been great, but unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to come with me and everyone there was in the photo. Definitely something to keep in mind for the future!

Thanks for the tips on the faces. I've already turned the photos over to them, I'll see if I can make any more improvements. I did try to tone things down already. It was really bright out. I purposely scheduled this for early in the morning, but the sun was so bright.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Large Group Photo	dane.dawg	Photographic Technique	9	06-13-2014 07:12 AM
Aquarium Photo Tips?	Genobreaker	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	41	08-19-2013 11:00 AM
Grad photo tips	matsui255	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	19	06-26-2010 09:12 PM
Group Event Photos..Any tips	VaughnA	Photographic Technique	15	11-02-2009 09:59 PM
Group photo	eddieking	Photographic Technique	5	01-01-2009 10:23 AM

11-07-2014, 01:39 PM	#31
twilight_samurai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 288	During naturally lit group photos, I think it's a good idea to take a burst of shots each time so that you hopefully will have a one clean shot with everyone's eyes open. If not, you'll at least have enough shots to cut/paste someone's eyes into another frame. Open shade areas are your friend.. although it's not the most exciting lighting situation, for group photos it's nice to have everyone evenly lit without any hot spots or shadowy areas. You mentioned that time is a factor.. you don't want to be messing around with external lighting and reflectors and whatnot so the safest, quickest lighting scenario imho is open shade. If there are going to be different group combinations, ask your dad to prepare a list beforehand so you or him (probably would be better if it's him as he knows the employees) can wrangle the different combos together. Once they're gathered, you can fine tune their placement within the group. If they're smaller groupings and will be standing side by side, make sure that they're perfectly lined up. People have a tendency to form a U shape when they line up for photos. Once they're in a straight line, you won't have to worry about your DOF so much because everyone should be within the plane of focus. I also think it's nice to use a longer focal length to get the telephoto compression look for these smaller group shots.

11-08-2014, 08:24 AM	#32
kjg48359 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Just outside of Detroit MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 103	There has certainty been a lot of great information/advice here! I hope you decide to post your favorite shots and some thinking that went into them!

11-09-2014, 07:46 AM	#33
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Originally posted by vagabond79 I have also read through this thread with great enjoyment. Group photography is something I am inexperienced with but curious to learn more about. I think it would be great if you could post a few of the photos once you are done (with your comments on the situation, lighting, etc.) so we can learn from your experience. Cheers! I will try to do that, vagabond. Glad you have enjoyed the thread. My Dad isn't the most patient person and I don't think he wants this to take very much time out of his workers' day. LOL So, I'm preparing for having to rush a bit. Probably this will be an experience you guys can learn not to replicate!!

11-09-2014, 11:57 AM	#34
vagabond79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Greensboro, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 147	Originally posted by loco I will try to do that, vagabond. Glad you have enjoyed the thread. My Dad isn't the most patient person and I don't think he wants this to take very much time out of his workers' day. LOL So, I'm preparing for having to rush a bit. Probably this will be an experience you guys can learn not to replicate!! Just browsed your flickr page -- beautiful images! I have a feeling you will do fine with your group shot task.

11-09-2014, 04:45 PM	#35
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thanks very much, that's very kind of you! You have some beautiful shots on your page, including some lovely macros!

11-11-2014, 04:50 PM - 1 Like	#37
vagabond79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Greensboro, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 147	Originally posted by loco OK, as I suspected, this was hectic and rushed. What my Dad really wanted was a quick snapshot and anyone could've done that for him. I managed to talk him into two different locations, but that was all the time he wanted to take. So, there you have it. A learning experience for sure. I do not know if this is really my type of photography. I'd much rather be shooting my cats than people!! Thanks again to everyone for all the advice you gave me. I hope this thread will help others not to repeat my mistakes. Good job. Looks like you did the best you could. I really like the setting for each picture. The lumber and then the sign with beautiful rolling hills in the background. That sun looks pretty bright. I think someone suggested using open shade but I'm not sure how available it was at your location. I'm curious to see what some of the other posters with more experience have to say. Thank you for sharing!

11-12-2014, 01:09 AM	#38
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	second pic looks really good

11-12-2014, 07:39 AM	#39
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thank you both.

11-19-2014, 02:12 PM - 1 Like	#40
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	You were rushed, but both pics still have the necessary narrative content, so you did better than what the client probably thought he wanted. Shooting somewhat down on them was a good decision in both shots. Number 2 is the company Christmas card, no doubt.

11-19-2014, 02:30 PM	#41
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thanks Marktax. Appreciate the feedback!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-19-2014, 06:09 PM - 1 Like	#42
kjg48359 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Just outside of Detroit MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 103	I think both pictures turned out well! Sometimes it just seems like the more you know, the more you fret but in the end it's all good!

11-20-2014, 07:00 AM	#43
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thank you, Kevin.

11-20-2014, 07:51 AM	#44
frogoutofwater Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	I think you did a great job. And photographing cats is great training for photographing groups (there's a reason the phrase "like herding cats" exists and it's relevant for group photography). On your point 3, one thing I learned from my first large group photo shoot (where I was the assistant) is that it's useful to have an assistant - he or she doesn't have to be a photographer, just someone who's not going to be in the photo. That person stands with you and focuses on scanning the group and checking to make sure all faces are forward and visible. A second set of eyes really comes in handy. I'm not sure how much post-processing you've done on the images you shared but I'm wondering if you can work on the faces a bit in LR to tone down strong sunlight on some parts of their faces and open up the shadows on other parts.

11-20-2014, 10:09 AM	#45
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	frogoutofwater, Thanks for the feedback. You are right - an assistant would've been great, but unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to come with me and everyone there was in the photo. Definitely something to keep in mind for the future! Thanks for the tips on the faces. I've already turned the photos over to them, I'll see if I can make any more improvements. I did try to tone things down already. It was really bright out. I purposely scheduled this for early in the morning, but the sun was so bright.