Need advice fast! Shooting x-mas family photos

Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical XR IF Super Zoom for Nikon

12/31/2006 04:38:05 PM · #1

One of the local bankers wife is friends with my wife.
She just called my wife and asked if she would come down to the bank today (in 3 hours) and use there camera to take photos of there family in front of the big tree at the bank.

I come home just as the wife got off the phone and she asked me if she should call her bank and let her know that I would like to take the photos with my new camera.

After some thought I said sure.

Now she called her to let her that I would take the photos.

I feel a bit of pressure now, lol.. :)

Any tips?

Should I shoot everything in RAW?
Should I just set the camera to auto and play it safe?

Message edited by author 2006-12-31 16:39:33.

rachelellen

Nikon D70s

12/31/2006 04:51:39 PM · #2

Originally posted by lakota:

I am not a RAW expert -- my camera will do it but I've not yet installed a good RAW editor so I haven't messed around with it much -- so I'll leave that question alone. However, I'll share a couple of tips that I've learned in my attempts to get decent portraits. I am STRICTLY AN AMATEUR. Be warned. :)

If your camera has an aperture-priority setting, try using that and setting your aperture as wide-open as you can go. That makes for a good soft background and sharply focused subjects. For group portraits it won't matter quite as much, as you need to be far enough back that you'll have a greater depth of field than you would up close, but if you do any individual portraits it's especially good to keep it in mind then.

If you have a good flash, I recommend using some balanced fill flash if you can. If you have a diffuser, so much the better, use that and flash on the 'fill' setting. On sunny days (especially under a tree), this keeps the shadows softer. On cloudy days, it lightens up everyone's faces nicely.

In doing group portraits I find myself having to remember not to include too much on the sides. If you have a 1.5:1 aspect ratio camera (like I do), you'll want to include a little extra on the sides because if people want, say, an 8x10, a bit the edges gets cut off for that. But not TOO much, or the people look really small.

Use a tripod if you have one. It makes holding the camera straight and steady one less thing you have to worry about. :)

Good luck and have fun.

rachelellen

Nikon D70s

Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical XR IF Super Zoom for Nikon

12/31/2006 04:58:07 PM · #3

Forgot to mention, do LOTS of quick bracketing (slight adjustments in exposure might be strictly optional if you're shooting RAW, but even so, taking more shots increases the odds of getting one where everyone looks good, has eyes open, etc). Don't make it too much of a pain for the people -- nobody wants to hold a pose for a really long time -- but just let them know, "OK, everyone smile nicely and I'm going to fire off three (or however many) quick shots". You kind of have to gauge the situation individually here -- if there are fidgety children or impatient people, take fewer shots, but if they seem to be relaxed and enjoying themselves, you can even ask if they would like to try a few different poses so that they can choose their favorites.

Message edited by author 2006-12-31 16:59:40.

rachelellen

Nikon D70s

Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical XR IF Super Zoom for Nikon

12/31/2006 04:58:45 PM · #4

oops. double post.

Message edited by author 2006-12-31 16:59:11.

ben4345

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/31/2006 05:04:28 PM · #5

I recommend shooting RAW, if you are still unsure shoot RAW + JPEG. RAW has saved my butt several times in the past and thats all I shoot now.

Use matrix metering, and aperture priorty. Plus, if you can, do some test shoots prior and get familiar with your camera and the light that you're going to be in.

Message edited by author 2006-12-31 17:05:56.

12/31/2006 05:07:02 PM · #6

Sounds great, thanks!

I only have the on camera flash.
Sounds like it's going to be a large group of people, as they have there kids and grand kids home.

I will bring my tripod.

Was thinking of sticking with my kit lens, will see how far back I can set up and how wide of shot I need when I get there.

Was thinking if I shoot raw I can mess with the photos at home more when I am alone and have time.

Now for white balance?

If I shoot in RAW do I need to worry about setting white balance?

I see I can set the camera to RAW and put it in protrait mode and the camera is set to auto WB.

If I set the camera to RAW and Av mode then it lets me still change the WB from auto to what ever I want.

So I am thinking about setting the camera to RAW/Av and setting manual white balance.

Message edited by author 2006-12-31 17:10:19.

12/31/2006 05:08:19 PM · #7

Get your wife to take the photos, she dropped you right in it!!

12/31/2006 05:11:02 PM · #8

Originally posted by sodoff:

Get your wife to take the photos, she dropped you right in it!!

lol..

Going to have her take some back up shots with there camera.
That's all they wanted to start with anyways

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/31/2006 05:13:05 PM · #9

Go for it. Just close your eyes and keep hitting that shutter. You're gonna get a load of great shots. Feel the Force!!

ben4345

Nikon D700

12/31/2006 05:15:12 PM · #10

Originally posted by lakota:

If I shoot in RAW do I need to worry about setting white balance?

Nope.

You can use a peice of tupperware to put over the flash to diffuse it.... It looks silly when you do that but you will get bigger and better smiles, if you know what I mean. ;)

12/31/2006 05:22:50 PM · #11

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by lakota:

If I shoot in RAW do I need to worry about setting white balance?

Nope.

You can use a peice of tupperware to put over the flash to diffuse it.... It looks silly when you do that but you will get bigger and better smiles, if you know what I mean. ;)

Thats is how I understood it, guess the camera lets me set WB in Av mode so in the RAW converter software I can click to set the WB as the camera would have set it..

Going to go with RAW/Av and close my eyes, lol...

Just heard its going to be a group of 18 people, damn...

Thanks everyone!

12/31/2006 05:24:29 PM · #12

It looks silly when you do that but you will get bigger and better smiles, if you know what I mean. ;)

Really!?

There going to think I am nuts, :)

If your not kidding I may just try it...

12/31/2006 05:26:45 PM · #13

I find that when in a situation that generates fear, there is one sure fire way...PANIC. Hit everything on the camera, scream out orders, and delegate.
If that fails, run away and hide!!

12/31/2006 05:27:35 PM · #14

one more question,

Should I use the red eye setting on my flash or fix the red eyes later?

12/31/2006 05:27:58 PM · #15

Originally posted by sodoff:

I find that when in a situation that generates fear, there is one sure fire way...PANIC. Hit everything on the camera, scream out orders, and delegate.
If that fails, run away and hide!!

ROFL..

12/31/2006 05:28:23 PM · #16

punch them black eyes, no more red eyes!!

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

12/31/2006 05:28:49 PM · #17

Man, I'm gettin' hyper here! Need a rest.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

12/31/2006 05:30:05 PM · #18

If you bank is anything like mine, the lighting will be utter crap. Help it out with whatever you can.

ben4345

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/31/2006 05:48:12 PM · #19

here are some samples:

example:
//i94.photobucket.com/albums/l113/ben4345/mirror.jpg

With:
//i94.photobucket.com/albums/l113/ben4345/foot1.jpg

Without:
//i94.photobucket.com/albums/l113/ben4345/foot2.jpg

Sorry, that I had to use my foot, I am currently lacking a better model. :P

Message edited by Manic - keep images under 500px/30kb or post links/thumbs.