Fill flash for a group

[Gary Kinghorn]

Without going too mad, how would you light a small (ish) group when outside in daylight? Thinking of a family shot with a group of say 6 people pretty close together?

 

[Phil V]

In daylight? I'd use that big fireball in the sky, hopefully diffused by cloud, but if not, in open shade.

For fill, I'd use on camera flash, very subtly though.

 

[gary996]

As Phil said. Cloudy day hopefully or in shade. Make sure the light is not dappled under trees etc. You might not even need flash. But if so use OFC and a diffuser.

 

[Gary Kinghorn]

Just a made up situation, as I'm enjoying learning this stuff.

Outside, middle of the day, big fireball in the sky is poking its head out and no clouds to cover it. Nowhere to run to for shade. Will subtle on camera fill flash light a larger group as it does an individual?

Thanks for taking the time to reply by the way, it's appreciated.

 

[Phil V]

The thing about fill is you have to remember it's fill.

You don't really need to diffuse it because it's not going to create any shadows.

If you diffuse it, you'll lose power, and the last thing you want to do to a flashgun vs the sun is to lower it's potential.

 

[Phil V]

Just a made up situation, as I'm enjoying learning this stuff.

Outside, middle of the day, big fireball in the sky is poking its head out and no clouds to cover it. Nowhere to run to for shade. Will subtle on camera fill flash light a larger group as it does an individual?

Thanks for taking the time to reply by the way, it's appreciated.

You can work this out if you like, it'll be an object lesson in the physics of flash lighting.
Name your flashgun
Check the flash GN at the focal length you'll be using let's say 58
So at 35mm let's pretend it's nearer 36

So sunny 16 says f16 at 100 ISO at 1/100
Approx 3 metres gives f16. No diffusion, so you just about have the power of balance, but at 6 metres you're down 2 stops.

But the reality is, it's a fairly blunt tool and harsh sunlight isn't great for people photography, there are better options
But they're not quick and dirty.

 

[Gary Kinghorn]

With you. Thanks for that. Will do some more research on the subject.

 

[Phil V]

With you. Thanks for that. Will do some more research on the subject.

Back to my original answer really, if you're a 'photographer' you need to take control of the situation*. And when you're faced with that scenario, you should be looking at all the alternatives which might include a change of venue, reschedule, hiring of equipment to make it work etc.

*a photograph is the result of your knowledge and effort - a snap is what you get when you just pick up a camera and shoot with no thought. Allowing other people to take away your choices can leave you with snaps where you could have produced photographs.