Need more advise please...

[shutterbugjo]

Hi All !!
Help....I am taking a photo for xmas card in my home.
Will be in front of an electric fireplace. My son in law is 6'3, daughter is 5'3 and granddaughter is 20 months, about 3' tall.
I have no idea how to position them in the photo
Should I try to incorporate a "flame" ?? living room is only about 9' x9'.
Not sure what lens to use....flash or no flash, maybe try to use other lamps in the room and longer shutter speed ?? I have a add on flash Canon 430..
I posted earlier on this but now I have a ton more questions as the day grows near.

Thnx again
Jo

 

[ChadHillPhoto]

Someone can hold your Granddaughter in their arms or everyone can be seated in front of the fireplace.

I'd use flash, as other lighting sources such as lamps are unlikely to give a fast enough shutter speed to freeze motion (Especially when shooting children) and the lighting quality may be less than you desire.

You may also want to try bouncing the flash off the ceiling or something white to create a more pleasing diffused lighting effect.

If you have a large window near the fireplace that will provide a soft non direct light that may also be an option. Good luck and please do post your results!

Hope I helped.

 

[sobolik]

First of all they might turn out lousy using the direction you are heading i.e. wanting to set up all the details. Instead I suggest that you allow the situation to present you with the photos. That way it won't look caned, stale, unnatuaral and lame. Here is an example of what I am saying. At a wedding everyone will automatically line up in the after ceremony pose line up mugshot type thing that is expected. I'll take a shot or two. I then tell them to on 3 make their best funny, goofy, ugly face. After a couple shots of these they are all relaxed, at ease and free to be themselves. I then get the shots that are real nice. You can do the same. Don't be so obsessed over the set up just let it all develop free and easy like. Yes offer guidance but don't over dominate it. It is quite possible to have a technically perfect photo that is lame, lame, lame. likewise a photo that is technically imperfect but is just awesome, awesome, awesome.

 

[shutterbugjo]

Wow.. Thanks so much for the replies. Your support is so appreciated. I will take everything in and work with it. I never thought about the photo turning out well "just because "

I guess I am panicking as I am so new to photography. Most shots I take are horrible.

I am also wondering how I may delete a thread. It appears I have accidentally posted this one twice.

:-(

Hugs
Jo

 

[GeorgieGirl]

The challenge as I see it is how to get everyone in focus with two very different heights. I would not do standing because you will be below the eye line of the SIL and be shooting up. Try to get them in a seated environment at the fireplace would be my test approach to narrow the gaps in the height differential and allow you to control the level of the camera focus point.