Need advice - shooting a group of 80 people

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/30/2005 07:02:09 PM · #1

Wow... I've been asked to shoot a group of about 80 people in an outdoors situation. I'm looking for any and all advice.

I've done some fairly large groups before (about 50 people) but those were weddings and it was all about getting the bride and groom ... the rest of the group, while important, is secondary to the shot. But in this case, all 80 people are essentially the "primary subject" (there won't even been a patriarch or matriarch to anchor the photo!).

The shoot will be around 9:30 to 10:00 in the morning. Which is a little scary with the sun up fairly high by that time. But I have found a place that has a lot of large trees with some natural hills. And even another location a short walk away that has a long flight of stairs that I could use to position the people. I figure I'm going to have to have multiple levels and so the hills and the steps seem to be a perfect solution.

Another thought... should I consider an outdoor battery operated set of strobes? I was just now looking at this elinchrome system which has 1100 ws output from 2 heads.

Another thought I had... what about how "tiny" everyone will be in the final image? I'm using the 20D which I really love... but I'm worried that the resolution just isn't enough to fully handle 80 people. So I'm actually considering using a telephoto (rather than wide angle) lens and taking a couple of "panoramic" type shots and stitching them in order to get the full resolution desired. (I figure I'll do a few wide angle shots too as a backup option in case the stitching idea doesn't work out too well)

Any other thoughts/recommendations?

Has anyone here ever done a group this large? Do you have any examples you'd like to share?

jab119

Canon EOS-70D

06/30/2005 07:10:15 PM · #2

waht type of group is it? They may not be as critical about the final image as you think.

I have taken a group shot at a large astronomy event for the last 3 years. They all loved the photo (well know one has complained publically)
2005

2004

I have to do the shoot at 1 PM, its hard to get astronomers together at a decent time for good lighting. THen once they all get together I have about 5 minutes to take as many shots as I can at different settings and stuff.

I got to climb a latter and get up on a roof to set up my tripod and snap the shots.

I use DPCprints to print the images and they are superb

James

Message edited by author 2005-06-30 19:10:55.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/30/2005 07:15:16 PM · #3

Never done this. But my experience with groups of people is that there is always a blink or something. I think I would try taking a rapid-fire series in case I needed to PS out the boo-boos.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

06/30/2005 11:52:36 PM · #4

Originally posted by jab119:

waht type of group is it? They may not be as critical about the final image as you think.

You may be right... Besides, I've done some beautiful 16x20" prints from my Digital Rebel. I ought to do better than that with the 20D and better optics.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

07/01/2005 12:03:43 AM · #5

[quote]Need advice - shooting a group of 80 people[/quote]

Either have a good alibi, or a slick lawyer. ;)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/01/2005 07:02:29 AM · #6

No other recommendations?

mihaibadic

07/01/2005 07:07:05 AM · #7

-find a good background, not like those "texas star party" pics.
-use their number creatively in the composition
-u may need to be the mean director to get the perfect shot, which includes being very authoritary and there may be some yelling involved
-again, use their number creatively in the composition

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

07/01/2005 07:14:00 AM · #8

just a few...
1) the higher above them you can get, the closer they can get to you (eliminating wasted foreground)
2) if you can get above them (maybe take a 6' ladder), get them to spread out deep rather than wide
3) this is hokey, but when you are ready, tell them you are going to count backwards from 3, and on 3 to close their eyes, 2 to smile, and 1 to open their eyes...it really works in making sure everyone is smiling at you with their eyes open when you are ready to click
4) be taking pictures while you are getting them organized (and check your histogram along the way)
5) be taking pictures as they dis-organize after the shot. it really is fun looking at a sequence of how the crowd comes together and breaks apart.
6) have fun!

OnyxPilot

Fujifilm FinePix S9100/9600

07/01/2005 08:45:22 AM · #9

Thought about taking a series of shots and then combining them into a panoramic view.

If they will stand for the couple of minutes while you progress left to right.

For 80 I imagine some 4 progressive shots should give you each person at least twice on overlap.

I do these types of shot with arial photography with good results never tried it on portraits.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

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

07/01/2005 10:01:28 AM · #10

Originally posted by dwterry:

should I consider an outdoor battery operated set of strobes?

With strong overhead sunlight, a studio strobe will definitely help get some light on their faces, which can otherwise be dark while the tops of their heads are "bright". One tricky thing if you do use strobes is watching out for the people in the shot casting shadows on the faces of the people near them. FWIW, if you already have strobes, you may want to check out something like the Tronix Explorer; it gets really good reviews by commercial photographers on PDN.

Originally posted by dwterry:

Another thought I had... what about how "tiny" everyone will be in the final image? I'm using the 20D which I really love... but I'm worried that the resolution just isn't enough to fully handle 80 people. So I'm actually considering using a telephoto (rather than wide angle) lens and taking a couple of "panoramic" type shots and stitching them in order to get the full resolution desired.

It really depends on the size of the print they are going to want. If it's only an 8x10, then your 20D will be fine; the print won't be able to resolve any more detail, even if you stitched it. But if they want a wide panoramic shot (like often seen in large high-school "graduating senior class" shots) or a large "wall portrait", then stitching is a good idea since it will provide more actual detail in the faces. The tricky part will be the "seams" of course, especially if people shift their position slightly as you pan.

Actually, the size of the final print should strongly influence how you arrange the people. If it is going to be panoramic style, you need a wider arrangement. If it is going to be a more traditional size (8x10 or 16x20), then you need a more rectangular layout so you don't have excess space at the top/bottom of the frame.

Originally posted by dwterry:

Has anyone here ever done a group this large?

Not me. My largest commissioned portrait (i.e., paid to take the shot) was last weekend and it was only 29 people. But it was a great learning experience.

Message edited by author 2005-07-01 10:13:21.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/09/2005 08:48:00 PM · #11

Well... Today was the shoot. The nice shaded area we had picked out turned out to be too far out of the way for the group. They were already going to be at the Rice Eccles Stadium, where the Salt Lake 2005 Winter Olympics were held, so that's where we ended up shooting.

Tell me what you think of these... Can't go back and reshoot, so do you have any suggestions for better post processing?

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

07/09/2005 09:53:42 PM · #12

very, very nicely done! that's the type of group photo i wouldn't mind being in. you captured the group and the spot. everybody will have something to remember. kudos to you!

Message edited by author 2005-07-09 21:54:37.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/09/2005 10:05:54 PM · #13

Originally posted by dwterry:

do you have any suggestions for better post processing?[/b]

I really like the cropped version best. I think adjusting the curves a bit to bump up some contract, add a tiny bit of saturation, and a vignette. That's what I would do for post processing. I would also keep it in color.

Nice work!

E

twm122

Olympus E-3

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital

07/09/2005 10:10:20 PM · #14

Very nice indeed. They look great and I bet they will absolutely love them.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/09/2005 11:06:38 PM · #15

That's beautiful work. But check your rotation; you're leaning to the right half or three quarters of a degree. Congrats on a job well done. Enter it in "family" LOL.

Robt.

downtherabbithole

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/09/2005 11:18:17 PM · #16

so did you use the outdoor strobes?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/09/2005 11:18:57 PM · #17

Originally posted by gi_joe05:

so did you use the outdoor strobes?

Sure looks like it doesn't it?

Robt.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/10/2005 12:24:40 AM · #18

I love it- and it seems like you really captured some of everyones personality too. Nicely done. Definetly nudge the rotation, I like the color best...