Lighting a group shot (studio).

[FlyTVR]

I've potentially got my first studio booking for a family group portrait. Group size will be 9 people.

I'll be hiring a village hall.

I'm after some input on light setup / backdrops.

I was thinking about keeping things simple, equal lighting - (probably quite flat). Two heads at 45% to group and a fill. Background, grey or white.

Thoughts?

Lighting wise I have -

Large softbox
1 shoot through brolly
2 other brollies (reflectors)
4 300 watt heads
2 background stands
Rolls of white, black, red and grey paper backdrops
2 x 580 EXII (with triggers)
Reflectors
(Coming soon, snoot, and grids)

 

[JonathanRyan]

If you want flat lighting (and that's probably a good idea) I'd use 1 key light.

2 lights will give cross shadows.

 

[Garry Edwards]

If you want flat lighting (and that's probably a good idea) I'd use 1 key light.

2 lights will give cross shadows.

Agreed. And in a village hall, with plenty of height, I'd place it high, which tends to give good modelling on most faces.

If you feel that you need a second light for fill, place it on the camera axis and low down

 

[Kris]

9 people - use a long lens to keep all heads roughly the same size and to get them all on a backdrop without showing edges. I'd use a 70-200.

One strong key-light with an on axis fill on a boom (as above) is the way I'd go.

Edit, if you dont have a boom, get something like this and stand in front of it for a lower fill at -1 from the key.
http://www.viewfinderphotography.co...Silver-16-Fibre-Rib-Parabolic-Umbrellas-.html