Group photo shoot tomorrow - wish me luck

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

08/19/2007 11:01:57 PM · #1

I was just asked two days ago if I would shoot the group photo for the Meadow Lakes / Big Lakes Fire and EMS Dept. I'll not only be shooting it, but also be in it. The Chief wants me to compose the shot, set all the exposure settings, and focus it - then let his brother press the shutter once I am in place. Since I don't know that his brother knows not to just jam on the shutter button, I'll have him pressing the remote shutter release.
I plan on using my Sigma wide angle lens as they want to include in the shot (1) fire engine, (1) tanker, (2) ambulances, and (2) command vehicles. The entire apparatus does not have to show- just the cabs which the group of firefighters and medics will be standing in front of. IF everyone were to show up, I can count on approx 50 people. The Chief said they tried this last time and the photog really disappointed them as she did not zoom in close enough. The photo had 1/3 sky, 1/3 ground, and the apparatus and people filling only the middle third of the image. The people were hard to identify without using a magnifying glass. lol Guess the pressure is on for me to not disappoint the Chief.
Now if the weather will just cooperate - the forecast is calling for 'possible' rains. Hmmm - seems like that 'possible' part applies to every wetaher forecast these days.

If anyone has done a shoot like this and would like to share their images I'd love to see them.
I'll post what I shoot once I get it done and edited - which has to be by the next day as they need a print to hang at the State Fair. :/

Canon EOS-60D

08/19/2007 11:06:00 PM · #2

This is a photoshoot I did for our local police, fire, EMS, and air ambulance crews. Not exactly the same scenario but some ideas nonetheless...
Heroes

Have fun and post what you come up with! :)

08/19/2007 11:12:55 PM · #3

Nice shots Laurie - thank you for sharing.

The main event is a group photo, but I also plan on shooting some fun shots of folks hanging on or off of the apparatus. Plus a nice shot of the Meadow Lakes and the Big Lakes Chiefs. I'll may even goof around with my fisheye lens. It all depends on how much time I get since this is also our training night .... which just 5 minutes ago I got called and asked if I would video tape that since it is a combination rescue/ems scenario event. I told them I would video tape part of it - but not all since I'm also in training. :P (I just wanna get in on the real action too).

fotomann_forever

08/19/2007 11:20:45 PM · #4

I'm thinking park the two large vehicles nose to nose then the two ambulances in front of that and then the two command vehicles pointed toward the camera in a v-shape. Then place people in the shot.

Like this maybe?

The blocks are vehicles. The black dots are people.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/20/2007 12:28:43 AM · #5

The Chief and I talked a bit and shared some ideas. He seemed to favor this plan:

Tanker on one end - Engine on the other. Blue are ambulances, with Command vehicles in the middle. Stars are the people - red stars officers

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/20/2007 12:37:06 AM · #6

Probably don't need to point this out but shot RAW or Bracket if Shooting JPG so you can HDR or Combine the three to get the sky right.

I did @ 60 people for a corporate group shoot a whil back and had to stand pretty far back with my 17-35mm Tamron... They wanted to be 2 deep (front row kneeling back standing) made for a lot of sky and foreground. If you can go three deep it might be better.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

08/20/2007 12:43:41 AM · #7

Originally posted by awpollard:

They'll have to be three deep as the Chief's biggest gripe about the last time a photo was taken was that the people looked too small and lost in the shot. I always shoot in RAW so I can edit as much as needed. I'm not sure I'll do HDR as not everyone likes that effect and I think the department would prefer a very natural look. The sky is supposed to be very overcast tomorrow. If we get rain then we'll be rescheduling for the next night.

fotomann_forever

08/20/2007 01:54:03 AM · #8

Hey Puggers, you might put the camera in Auto Bracket, that way you get a safety net and the ability to rescue anyone out of shadow if ya have to. The overcast should be your friend though.

scwalsh

Sony DSLR-A200

08/20/2007 10:19:39 AM · #9

Did you Think about doing a pano shot? That way you can get in alot closer
scwalsh

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/20/2007 11:42:15 AM · #10

I don't have a direct link to show you (flash site), but for a REALLY cool shot go here and look at the 3rd photo under "Old Sunset." The photographer's name is Patrick Ecclesine, he had a whole article in Rangefinder not too long ago. I remember from the article he used 37 Profoto packs and a 700-amp generator for this shot.

Good luck and have fun!

Message edited by author 2007-08-20 11:42:46.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

08/20/2007 12:06:12 PM · #11

good luck with your shoot and group shot. Well the biggest group shot I took was this one

and once you click on the picture their is a link to a bigger version the description. There was over a 100 people in the image and I took it in the RAW format did a lot of editing to it so the full version is much better than whats here and on my website.

I am not sure what you are looking for but thats what I one of the group shots have and the lens I used was my Canon 10-20mm lens

Like mention before if you make a panorama out of it you will be able to recognize faces or everybody.

08/20/2007 05:29:15 PM · #12

Originally posted by scwalsh:

Did you Think about doing a pano shot? That way you can get in alot closer
scwalsh

I did consider a pano shot - but that would require everyone staying absolutely still. Plus, I am supposed to be in the photo so by time I shoot the first and then run back to the camera - move it horizontally on the tripod, then take another shot I doubt folks would not have moved about.
Right now it's raining - just 5 1/2 hours prior to shoot time. I hope it stops and dries up a bit. The forecast doesn't look too promising.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/22/2007 01:17:47 AM · #13

Okay - here's what I shot. Both my Chief, and the Meadow Lakes Chief were happy with the pics. I printed off a 13x19 of the formal one for them to have at the State Fair.

Feedback welcome

JeffDay

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

08/22/2007 01:24:24 AM · #14

feedback on what...

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

08/22/2007 01:29:38 AM · #15

In her portfolio - I'm guessing it's this one. :-)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/22/2007 01:29:47 AM · #16

oops - guess the links would help :P

JeffDay

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

08/22/2007 01:37:55 AM · #17

heh ok there they are...

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/22/2007 02:23:22 AM · #18

A little late now, but you might have used one of them there ladders, a bungied tripod, and everyone looking up.

MacDonald

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/22/2007 02:31:53 AM · #19

What a difficult shoot to carry our and you did it! I agree that it is well balanced and well exposed. I am sure that they are all pleased with this photograph.