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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Sports Team Photos
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 07/24/2008 01:39:33 AM · #1
I am taking the team photos for my husband's football team. There will be 4 group photos with about 30 people in each including players, committe members, ball boys, runners, trainers etc.
The photos will be taken indoors at about 6:30pm (it will be well & truely dark by then).

I have Nikon D80 with a 18-200mm lens & a speed light. Does anyone have any tips, tricks or advice on how to get the best results in terms of lighting, faces in focus etc.

Thanks in advance,

Kristen
 07/24/2008 05:01:14 AM · #2
If you can get your hands on a second (or even third) speedlight, and a way to trigger them off camera, you'd be golden. But, I'll assume that you're working with one flash on camera for now.

Start by arranging the team. First, check your background to make sure there's nothing too distracting. With 30 people, start with three rows and work from there. Have the back row stand, the middle row kneel, and the front row sit on the floor. Next, curve the rows slightly so that the people at the ends of the rows are about the same distance from the camera/flash as the people in the center (start with straight rows, then ask the ends to step forward). Finally, find a stepladder or a chair to stand on. Shooting down on the group will also help even out the lighting from front to back (and make it easier to get all of the faces).

You'll want to use a middle aperture, start at 5.6, and a slow-ish shutterspeed to pick up the ambient in the BG (and as fill), start at 1/30 - 1/60 (be sure you're comfortable handholding at this speed, or use a tripod or monopod, or increase the speed a bit). Start at ISO 400 (your flash will thank you). Leave your flash on auto or use FEC if you're not comfortable with manual flash. Oh, and if you can get your hands on a flash bracket and off camera cord, those will help get rid of any red-eye and make your shadows fall more naturally.

Perhaps most importantly, try to get to the place where you're taking the photo ahead of the team, and get someone to pose for a test shot or two. That way, you'll be all set when they arrive. Sports teams can be tough to manage, recruit your husband or a coach to help get everyone in line. Take several shots, often people in groups will get distracted or blink and you won't notice until after.

In short:
-Check your BG
-Curve the rows
-Middle Aperture
-Get some height
-At least two or three shots

Have fun!
 07/24/2008 07:29:30 PM · #3
Thanks for the advice nickp37.
Some of the stuff you mentioned I had covered but some of it I would never have thought of (like curving in the edges of the rows).
I went down to the club house last night & did some practice shots, worked out my camera settings & sorted out a background so I should be right tonight!
Unfortunately don't have access to any more speedlights but hopefully the one will be good enough. The club has always just had one of the committee members take the team photos on a point & shoot so at least whatever I can produce for them is going to be a step above that :)

Thanks again for the help...
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