background blur with a group?

[nvrl8]

Okay, so I haven't done a ton of family shots, mostly individual. I have the blur down for that situation to a tee. However...how do I get the background a little blurred with a group and still have everyone's eyes clear. Any suggestions? See the group pictures here....I just want a little blur in the groups.... someone please help!! http://www.naturalvisionphoto.com/gallery/2880917#155059800

[ekie]

If you're talking bout 'bokeh' (background blur), id say try using the 70-200 f2.8 IS and using a wide enough aperture that will still keep the family members all in focus while achieving that background blue. you'd have to stay pretty far back though :D

oh and also forgot one more thing, make sure there is a good distance between the subject and the background. if the subject too close to the background, regardless of the aperture there wont be much blur/separation.

[nvrl8]

Thank you. That is the same principle as for individuals. I guess let me ask the question this way... what is the aperture setting that I could use to keep everyone's eyes in focus, but still get bokeh for a group who are not all standing in a straight line. I used F11 on these group shots so that I could keep the eyes in focus, but the downfall was so are the trees 10 miles behind them!! hahaha Any other suggestions? Of course, I am shooting the groups with my 28-70 at 28mm. I could use the monster lens but the question is still the same. Any more help now that I reworded the question a bit?

[b00ty]

Stop down to f8-f11 like you said and back up as much as you can :D, then zoom in with lens as much as possible.

[SuzyView]

Yes 70-200 IS is amazing for bokeh.

[queenbee288]

I don't think you would even need to go as far as 8. Even though they are a group they are only 2 people deep. I bet you could get by with 5.6.

[ekie]

Thank you. That is the same principle as for individuals. I guess let me ask the question this way... what is the aperture setting that I could use to keep everyone's eyes in focus, but still get bokeh for a group who are not all standing in a straight line. I used F11 on these group shots so that I could keep the eyes in focus, but the downfall was so are the trees 10 miles behind them!! hahaha Any other suggestions? Of course, I am shooting the groups with my 28-70 at 28mm. I could use the monster lens but the question is still the same. Any more help now that I reworded the question a bit?

shooting at 28mm even wide open wont get you much bokeh compared to using the longer focal length. like someone already mentioned, depending on how you have the family lining up and posing will determine what aperture to use. put the beast of a lens (70-200 f2.8) on and just get back and back and back :lol:

[nvrl8]

Thank you. I will try backing up and zooming in a bit at a few lower stops. Thanks for taking the time to post the advice. I'm sure others will benefit from the post in the future as well. Gracias!