Need help shooting a family photo

[ketrsu@comcast.net]

I have to take some pictures tomorrow of my family. All children. Need some help on camera settings.

Lighting is not an issue, it will be sunny. I am trying to find the best settings for this shoot withing my equipment parameters. I am using an EOS 1d Mark III with a 24-70 2.8L. I will have the taller ones in the back and the shorter one's in the front. So, Six in the back and 6 in the front. Will most likely shoot in the AV mode.

Some questions.

Is it best to shoot in AF mode or Center focus?

Would the lens at 50mm be a good setting?

I am trying to get all of them in focus but have some good DOF. The problem I seem to be having with this camera is DOF and focus. In similar situation some of the subjects are out of focus. Just looking for a good standard setting for this situation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[goforphoto]

Shoot using a smaller aperture, f8 to f11 and shoot in manual not AV so ou control the aperture you may also want to use fill flash or portable strobe. Typically smaller apertures give a wider DOF there for you will be more likely to get the group in focus. Also watch your shutter speed, to slow of a shutter will catch any movement in the group. bump the ISO up if you have to but do try to keep the aperture small and shutter fast.

[howzitboy]

id try shoot them in the shade so u wont have harsh shadows. think if u shot f5.6 or f8, everyone would be in focus so just concentrate on composition and getting those monsters errr kids eyes opened in your shot!

[ketrsu@comcast.net]

Thanks for the tips. So if I shoot with a smaller aperture and a higher shutter speed I should be able to get them all in Focus even if they are in two rows (different distances)?

[liza]

I wouldn't shoot any wider than 5.6 with two rows. I think f/8 is your best bet.

[suecassidy]

You didn't say what the age range is going to be. Depending on how old they are, consider putting the TALL ones in the front, sitting, and the short ones in the back, kneeling or standing depending on the height. Depending on your subjects heights, this could even things out some and avoid having heads too far apart. Just a thought. Good luck with it.

[StewartR]

Lighting is not an issue, it will be sunny.You might want to re-think that. If it's sunny you could have very harsh shadows. Possible solutions:
1. Shoot in the shade.
2. Use a reflector of some sort to fill in the shadows.
3. Use fill-in flash.
4. Shoot in late afternoon / early evening when the sunlight is less harsh.

[ketrsu@comcast.net]

You didn't say what the age range is going to be. Depending on how old they are, consider putting the TALL ones in the front, sitting, and the short ones in the back, kneeling or standing depending on the height. Depending on your subjects heights, this could even things out some and avoid having heads too far apart. Just a thought. Good luck with it.

That's a great idea. Thanks. Range is from 6 to 20. Six older and six younger so a good distribution.

[ketrsu@comcast.net]

You might want to re-think that. If it's sunny you could have very harsh shadows. Possible solutions:
1. Shoot in the shade.
2. Use a reflector of some sort to fill in the shadows.
3. Use fill-in flash.
4. Shoot in late afternoon / early evening when the sunlight is less harsh.

thanks for the help. It just so happens that we don't have the bright sun as planned today. I was planning on using a flash for fill-in also.

Heading out now. Thank you everyone for the great tips.

[TeeJay]

I'd also be inclined to shoot in burst-mode. Taking maybe 10 shots in one button press. That way you stand a far better chance of all of them (in one of the frames at least) having their eyes open!

TJ

[ketrsu@comcast.net]

I'd also be inclined to shoot in burst-mode. Taking maybe 10 shots in one button press. That way you stand a far better chance of all of them (in one of the frames at least) having their eyes open!

TJ

TJ,

Already set. Anytime I photograph my kids I put it in a high burst mode. Always more than a few frames with eyes closed.

Thanks.

[liza]

Rather than using burst mode, tell them all to close their eyes and then open them on the count of three. Works like a charm. :)