[UncleVanya]

My daughter and her friends asked me to take some pre- prom shots of them.

I have some idea of how to do this, but experienced advice is welcomed.

The original plan was to do an outdoor shoot, but rain predictions are North of 50% so that seems foolish. I'm having difficulty thinking of an indoor location that we can use.

Equipment available:
Bodies:
k3
Panasonic gx7 w/Pk adapter
Panasonic lx7
Extra batteries for all


K Lenses:
FA 31, 77 limited
DA 15, 40 limited
FA 35 F2
DA 12-24, 18-135, 55-300
DA* 60-250, 200
FA* 300
Takumar Bayonet f2.5
A 50 f2
DFA 100 Macro WR

M43 lenses:
14-42 Panasonic pz f3.5-5.6
35-100 Panasonic f4-5.6
9mm fisheye Olympus f8
17mm Olympus f2.8
30mm Sigma f2.8

FLASH:
AF540FGZ
Fong lightsphere
Rogue Flashbender

They want head and shoulders couples, full body, and group shots.

I'm thinking that the K3 is my primary weapon, the Gx7 is a reserve body in case of disaster.

On the K3, my FA 31 and FA 77 are my primary lenses, with the 12-24 as a possible group shot lens.

On the Gx7, the 17mm for full length shots and the 30 for tighter shots, with the 9mm for a silly fun group shot. The pk adapter could also be used here. Crop is 2x vs 1.5x so bear in mind.

Fong flashsphere on the AF540FGZ - handheld(?) triggered by onboard flash in PTTL. Perhaps in manual mode triggered by Panasonic (never tried this) if needed.

I thought I might hand the Lx7 to my daughter and her friends to use on each other while I work with the couples to keep people busy and get candid shots.

Sadly my DA* 50-135 is on loan to my dad 250 miles from home.

---------- Post added 04-30-16 at 09:21 AM ----------

Update. I may be able to use my wife's yoga studio as an indoor location.

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Last edited by UncleVanya; 04-30-2016 at 06:17 AM.

[Aaron28]

i'm terrible shooting people.....bugs, birds. night sky i'm ok.......indoors kinda stinks without having nice light/flash......but a prom I did do the kids weren't really into having pics done but they did get a little excited when I wanted them to stick all their wrist corsages(flowers) for a shot or 2 and they loved it when I wanted a 'shoe' shot of all their feet together.....good luck I think its a fun time!

[mattt]

I shoot oodles of indoor groups.

IMO: 31 + some off camera flash will give some fab results.

Avoid placing people at the 12-24 edges unless you want someone to look 100# bigger than they actually are.

[UncleVanya]

I shoot oodles of indoor groups.

IMO: 31 + some off camera flash will give some fab results.

Avoid placing people at the 12-24 edges unless you want someone to look 100# bigger than they actually are.

Would the DA 15 be better in that respect? The studio space is likely long enough to get a group shot with the 15. The DA 20-40 is out on loan also.

[mattt]

12-24 or 15mm no matter. Just be careful how you apply the distortion.

One way I like to wide angle shoot groups is from up above - a fun perspective with a frame filled with smiling faces.

[UncleVanya]

12-24 or 15mm no matter. Just be careful how you apply the distortion.

One way I like to wide angle shoot groups is from up above - a fun perspective with a frame filled with smiling faces.

That's an idea. I have a ladder there and could have them lie in a semi circle looking up. Not certain of my angles.

[mattt]

no need to lie, or even lay... The distortion shrinks away the feet..

[UncleVanya]

Shots are done. I did some on my Gx7 and some on the K3. The K3 plus AF540FGZ and some halogen spots did a credible job. The Gx7 I shot without flash due to inexperience with that platform and time constraints.