Sorority composite question

[GM_of_OLC]

I was asked to possibly do a composite of one of the sororities at my school (as a cheaper alternative to a professional). They have 44 members, and I think they want their letters in the center.
I was just planning on taking head/shoulder shots and using Photoshop to put them in rows and such.
What would be a good size for something like this? I mean, something like 8x10 would be way to small, yes?

[sapearl]

Is this something that each of the 44 people will want to purchase, I assume?

I agree that 8x10 may be a bit on the small size, but the typical next size up would be 11x14. This would look very nice on a wall, but inconvenient to be in a standing easel frame on a mantel or coffee table. Are they locked into the composite idea? It can certainly be done very nicely if you're skilled in PS and have a good sense of design... but have you considered perhaps doing a group shot for them instead?

You could set up 4 rows of 11 each. It would be a little bit challenging to do it right, but I'm comparing that to all the post time you'd be spending doing a composite in PS. Just a thought..... - Stu

[GM_of_OLC]

hmm. I hadn't thought about that.
From what she told me they all want one, but what you said makes sense, 11x14 is too big for a desk. I'll ask her and post a more informed reply.

[sapearl]

It's a tough one GM.... but I'm thinking back to high school team pictures, large clubs, band photos, that sort of thing. Yes, the faces will be a bit small, but if properly exposed, well lit, and correctly processed, they will be razor sharp and easy to view on that conveniently sized 8x10.

I used to make b/w dorm and fraternity 8x10's back in college. The groups weren't that large - only about half the size or so - but with come creativity I think I could have arranged them.;) - Stu

hmm. I hadn't thought about that.
From what she told me they all want one, but what you said makes sense, 11x14 is too big for a desk. I'll ask her and post a more informed reply.

[GM_of_OLC]

M'kay. I talked to her today and she said that their old ones were "like three feet by two feet." So an 11X14 wouldn't be bad.
I'm thinking the next size up would be good 16x20(yes?) for 44 people.
They're supposed to give me the shots they already have from last year so I can see if I can do it. (Minus 10 peeps or so).
So expect that to be posted here soon. Ish.

[bwolford]

M'kay. I talked to her today and she said that their old ones were "like three feet by two feet." So an 11X14 wouldn't be bad.
I'm thinking the next size up would be good 16x20(yes?) for 44 people.
They're supposed to give me the shots they already have from last year so I can see if I can do it. (Minus 10 peeps or so).
So expect that to be posted here soon. Ish.

20X30 for copies. My original for my Frat and high school bands is 30X40. Have you looked at what they have posted in the sorority house?

Sample (http://gallery.newtampaconcierge.com/p/marching_band/classposterv216)

[MD Steelerfan]

The ones for my fraternity used to be small individual prits mounted in rows with borders that stood out for each picture and then it was matted and framed. Pretty introcate work for such a basic thing. The small prints looked like they took a copystand shot of the whole thing and made small prints from it.

I think you could do the whole thing in photoshop, but it will be a huge file.

I thought about doing those, but you'd have to charge a lot of money to make it worth your time. Don't forget you have to put their names under their pictures and officers positions. For 44 people to shoot, process the pics and lay it out you will be doing a lot of work. Even if youset the lights up and leave them for all 44 people it will take several hours to get through all those girls.