Photo shoot with 100 people

Alembic654 · May 5, 2013

Hello Forum:

I have an outdoor photo shoot that involves 100 people. It's scheduled for June. It will be moved inside in the event of inclement weather. I shoot with a Nikon D600, and use Nikon 24-85mm and Nikon 70-300mm glass. I also have a Nikon 50mm lens. My questions are what is the best glass and settings to use to accomplish the best results and clarity on this shoot. And, ditto in the event we have to move inside due to weather to accomplish the shoot. The idea is to turn this pic into a poster, so clarity is key. Thanks in advance.

runnah · May 5, 2013

Alembic654 said:
Hello Forum:

I have an outdoor photo shoot that involves 100 people. It's scheduled for June. It will be moved inside in the event of inclement weather. I shoot with a Nikon D600, and use Nikon 24-85mm and Nikon 70-300mm glass. I also have a Nikon 50mm lens. My questions are what is the best glass and settings to use to accomplish the best results and clarity on this shoot. And, ditto in the event we have to move inside due to weather to accomplish the shoot. The idea is to turn this pic into a poster, so clarity is key. Thanks in advance.

The 50 wouldn't be bad, I wouldn't use anything wide. Shoot middle f/stops to have the sharpest focus. Make sure you have room to back up enough to get everyone in frame.

Do you have things like flashes? I recently did a similar shoot and used two flashes on stands on either side of the group to illuminate everyone.

Choose your spot carefully l.

Sw1tchFX · May 5, 2013

Shoot as long as possible, that way you make sure everyone is more or less the same size, and the folks in the back are still identifiable, because that's really the only goal, it to make sure you can identify everyone. Your gear is fine, If you don't already have one, an 8-foot ladder is a good idea.

hirejn · May 5, 2013

Consider a hyperfocal distance calculator to help maximize DOF.

KmH · May 5, 2013

Will you be in the photo too?

For a group that large, 24 mm will work fine, but yes, you generally want to use as long a focal length as you can. You don't mention which brand or model of 70-300 lens you have. Nikon makes a couple of them.
With that large a group and using the Nikon 24-85 mm f/2.8-4D, you'll be far enough away distortion won't be an issue.
+1 on you will likely need to get above the group (ladder or otherwise) so the people in the back can be seen in the photo.
Even outside there is usually a need for supplemental fill lighting.

As far as exposure settings go, that will depend on how much light you have to work with, both inside and outside.
I would use spot metering mode and spot meter several parts of the scene to determine my exposure. You could also bracket exposures if you let the group know in advance you will be making several shots.
If you don't know how to do that, use Center-weighted metering.
No doubt, use single focus (AF-S), single focus point, and white balance will also be determined by the lighting you use - sunlight or cloudy outside, tungsten, fluorescent, or custom inside.

vintagesnaps · May 5, 2013

When someone asks what are the best settings to use, that makes me think they are still learning how to use a camera and I wonder if they're ready or have developed the skills yet to take on doing a shoot like this.

The settings are going to be determined by the existing light that day, and by the time of day - if it's sunny, overcast, constantly changing because the sun's going in and out, etc. - you need to know how to meter and adjust for the existing light. If you're going to try to do this, it might be best to go to the location and do some test shots.

If it's possible that it could be moved indoors it probably would help to see what the existing light is at the venue, then determine what additional lighting you'd need and figure out where you could set up with this size group, etc. Whether it's done outdoors or inside, other things to consider with a group this large would be where are you going to have them stand/line up? how many rows will work? how are you going to direct that many people to where they need to be to photograph them? I think for this to be successful it takes advance planning and knowing what to do in various situations.

Alembic654 · May 5, 2013

This is very helpful Runnah. I hadn't thought about the 8 foot ladder and the flashes. Yes, I have both and will use them at the shoot. I'll probably go with the Nikon 24-85mm at about f/11.

Alembic654 · May 5, 2013

Thanks Sw1tchFX....the ladder will def be onboard.

Alembic654 · May 5, 2013

KmH, thanks for the advice. The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED what I have.

Alembic654 · May 5, 2013

Sharon....thanks for your input. I deserved that smack in the face for adding the comment about settings, duh.

TCampbell · May 5, 2013

That's when you grab a step ladder and bellows. You could rent a tilt-shift lens -- but be warned all tilt-shift lenses are manual focus only and there's a bit of a trick to learning to use them. These lenses take a bit of learning. There's a mathematical equation which tells you the angle of tilt you need to dial in, but the short-cut version is that often if you focus the most distant person first (as sharply as possible) and then _very_ gently turn the tune the tilt until the nearest person is sharp (and then re-check the farther person again as a slight tweak may be in order) you can often get the entire crowd absolutely tack sharp.