100+ people portrait lighting question

[KmH]

Even without barrel distortion, you still get volume anamorphosis. I suggest you to shoot with less people and shoot as long of a focal length as possible. Also, at that distance from subject, I think that depth of field would not be a problem.

How many group portraits have you ever shot?

Shoot with less people? It's a family reunion. Everyone needs to be in one shot.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Fewer people you mean?

 

[kbs]

Thanks for most of the replies lol. Well I am not getting paid for this gig and I went and bought my second AB1600 sooner just to attempt to make this even possible. How far away from the cam should the subjects be? Err.. actually I am sure that is lens dependent, so forget that one. Hmm, if we poach picnic tables (if there are some) 3 rows of people would be possible, another row sitting is 4.... maybe I can do this.
Since no one else jumped in yet I will add this idea to my post. What if I take a shot with all the people absent exposed for the sunset and combine it with the shot of the family members in photoshop? Of course my camera will have to somehow not move on top of the ladder as if it were on a tripod, so maybe that wont work so well for me after all.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Thanks for most of the replies lol. Well I am not getting paid for this gig and I went and bought my second AB1600 sooner just to attempt to make this even possible. How far away from the cam should the subjects be? Err.. actually I am sure that is lens dependent, so forget that one. Hmm, if we poach picnic tables (if there are some) 3 rows of people would be possible, another row sitting is 4.... maybe I can do this.
Since no one else jumped in yet I will add this idea to my post. What if I take a shot with all the people absent exposed for the sunset and combine it with the shot of the family members in photoshop? Of course my camera will have to somehow not move on top of the ladder as if it were on a tripod, so maybe that wont work so well for me after all.

Just avoid shooting with a lens too wide.

 

[cnutco]

Get up in the air!

Rent a lift or something so that you can shoot from a raised angle.

 

[Village Idiot]

I don't think the bees will be powerful enough.

The problem is if they're out of frame they're going to be on the sides and you'll have to have them far enough away from the group so they don't cause amssive falloff leaving a few people exposed and a few not. I'm thinking your best bet may be indoors with using the ceiling as a giant reflector.

 

[PrashantP]

My only suggestion is do not use wide angle lens. They will just ruin the whole photo. As someone suggested make 4 rows or you can make them to stand like a HALF-TRIANGLE . This way you can capture the whole unit

 

[Helen B]

I don't think the bees will be powerful enough.

The problem is if they're out of frame they're going to be on the sides and you'll have to have them far enough away from the group so they don't cause amssive falloff leaving a few people exposed and a few not. I'm thinking your best bet may be indoors with using the ceiling as a giant reflector.

I agree. With just two 640 Ws strobes (that's what AB1600s are) you may have problems with uneven lighting for that size of group.

 

[Village Idiot]

Here's a shoot done by Jack Hartzman of Washington Talent Agency that includes a lot more than 100 people. The video says 250 people.

Corporate Photography | Washington Talent Agency | Maryland, Washington DC

 

[mommy-medic]

Got any bleachers or wide stairs nearby?

 

[kundalini]

Wouldn't you have less lighting issues if you did a 180°? Have the sunset behind you, which will light the group. You could then still use your lights as Fill.

Just a random thought.

 

[KmH]

Here's a shoot done by Jack Hartzman of Washington Talent Agency that includes a lot more than 100 people. The video says 250 people.

Corporate Photography | Washington Talent Agency | Maryland, Washington DC

You have to infer that what is in the back 6 rows are actually people.

 

[kbs]

Wouldn't you have less lighting issues if you did a 180°? Have the sunset behind you, which will light the group. You could then still use your lights as Fill.

Just a random thought.

At this point I am willing to do whatever it takes to get a useable shot. So I an teetering between that and the bracketed exposures idea brought up by a poster earlier. Thanks though, I didn't even consider it because I wanted to be mr. fancy pants.

 

[kbs]

Got any bleachers or wide stairs nearby?

I'm not sure, does anyone know Belle Isle in the "D" that well? Because I do not.

 

[kbs]

If you poison half of them it will be much easier

That could make my life easier if I choose the right half... it's my in-laws reunion. :lmao: