Help needed for how to take Group Photo (30 Students)

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Muhammad_Arif

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Arif
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Hi TP,

I need your help and I am really hoping that I will receive good suggestions.
I have to take 3 group photos of 30 Students and I have Nikon 610 with 85 1.8 and 50 1.8 Lens.
Could you please guide me which lens is better suited as I struggled with 85 1.8 when taking picture of 12 persons, I had to move a lot further.
Many thanks in advance.

M A Ashraf
 
the lens isn't really going to matter as it will only dictate your working distance, If the space is big enough use whatever you want, if it isn't use the wider lens. If your shooting 30 people I'd guess they'll be in rows so your going to be around f8 maybe higher to get all rows in focus. At this point light will be you're bigger concern rather than lens. Is the shoot indoor or outdoor, if indoor what lighting is available?
 
Hi CraigDHD,

Thanks for replying. The location has a lot of space and natural light coming through glass walls. It will be around 1:00 pm. I am also worried how far back i would have to go to put every person in my lens. I only have two prime lens. 85mm and 50mm so have to use one of them. If i use f8 what SS should be ok to get best light? do i need to raise ISO. Sorry to many questions. Thanks
 
At the risk of appearing rude what is the shoot for as the questions you're asking sound like your going to be struggling tbh. The shutter speed and iso are going to be dictated by the light you probably want to go no lower than 1/100 probably faster on the 85 to rule out subject or camera movement, iso will then need to be what provides the exposure for the light thats there. Are they the only two lenses you have as once you stop down that far even a kit lens should produce good results if you're worried about being to far away.

If your shooting available light only from glass walls indoor where are the walls located? If they're on the side of room are they on both sides or just one? If being side lit fall off will potentially be a big issue which will be made worse depending how close to the window you are. If it gets cloudy will there still be enough light available?

Can the shoot be moved out doors, 1pm isn't ideal time as sun will be very high but if you had a bit of shade outdoor it will provide a lot more useable even light usually.

Generally shooting groups this size your main concerns are getting even lighting on all subjects with everyone sharp and adequately exposed, keep background minimal and don't try to get too fancy. Your main problems doing this indoors is getting enough light to get an acceptable apperture to keep everyone in sharp focus whilst having the light source even from one side of the group to the other. If I was shooting groups this size indoors my ideal would be three 3 rows of 10 students and use a couple of studio heads bounced off celing if it's a neutral colour to lght them evenly. Your going to need to work out based on the room how to use the light available to achieve this however.
 
•


Wide angle lens… only if you have no there way out!

35mm should be your widest choice but better 50+ mm
otherwise the ones standing at both ends will look a little
stretched!
 
Muhammad_Arif said:
Hi TP,

I need your help and I am really hoping that I will receive good suggestions.
I have to take 3 group photos of 30 Students and I have Nikon 610 with 85 1.8 and 50 1.8 Lens.
Could you please guide me which lens is better suited as I struggled with 85 1.8 when taking picture of 12 persons, I had to move a lot further.
Many thanks in advance.

M A Ashraf
Click to expand...

You've just answered your own question. If the 85 is too long then go wider.
Given your limitations I'd visit the space to make sure it is even possible with the 50, and without additional lighting. @CraigDHD is right, light will be the problem. The worst case would be bright sunshine on half the group. The way to fix that would be to hang muslin fabric over the windows to diffuse the light. You may then find that you need to turn the ISO right up.
 
4.jpg

Hi CraigDHD,
I am fine with whatever you are saying as i know you are trying to help me. The shoot is for my College as the main photographer is not available. The students are here for some conference. They are professionals.
I have attached a link which might help to see the place and how i done the last group shot. It is not outdoor but a big atrium open place. I am not going to be troubled by sun as I am not outside. The light is coming through the right side. Thanks for your help.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xuf3egawezdk5cb/4.jpg?dl=0

Hi Kodiak Qc, Thanks for your help too.
 
The problem isn't kit or settings related, a group of 30 in a setting like that ought to be arranged in 3 rows if you can get hold of suitable seating, or 2 rows if you've only got chairs. 30 people in a line makes for 60% waste of your picture.
 
Phil has nailed it here ... 30 in a group isnt a lot , wedding shooters deal with more than that every day , but you really need them in multiple rows or you are going to have a hell of a lot of dead space, and with 30 you are going to really struggle to fit them in.

If for some reason they have to be in a single line ( I did a scout troop once where that was the requirement) - I'd be inclined to shoot them in three groups of ten and composite them in photoshop.

Lens wise i suggest using the 50 , although you could use the 85 you'll need to stand so far back it won't be easy to talk to the group which you'll need to do to get them all looking at you at once. "lady on the right, lift your chin please, and your other one .."
 
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