Help with Group Shots!

[SuzanneCarey]

Okay, I believe I have asked this before, but this is to a specific shoot. I have the opportunity to shoot pictures for a high school band at my Neice's school. I do really nice portrait work, but I am not as effecient at group shots. I do not know why, but I have some issues with getting EVERY face in perfect focus. So, I have this opportunity, and will pass on it if I do not think I can do a good job on the group shot. I would like this challenge if I know I can read up on how to do group shots and practice before October. If anyone has any experience doing group shots, I would LOVE some tips or point me to books or other resources I could read.

Here is some information:
My Equipment: Canon 20D
Kit Lens
Canon 50mm 1.8
Tamron 28-75
2 550EX Flashes
Canon Battery Pack
Tripod
Remote cable
Quick Flip Bracket
Omni bounce
Lightsphere II

I believe there are 50 in the band, so that is the number we are looking at.

Thanks so much for your time!

Suzanne

[Feihung08]

Okay, I believe I have asked this before, but this is to a specific shoot. I have the opportunity to shoot pictures for a high school band at my Neice's school. I do really nice portrait work, but I am not as effecient at group shots. I do not know why, but I have some issues with getting EVERY face in perfect focus. So, I have this opportunity, and will pass on it if I do not think I can do a good job on the group shot. I would like this challenge if I know I can read up on how to do group shots and practice before October. If anyone has any experience doing group shots, I would LOVE some tips or point me to books or other resources I could read.

Suzanne, this would be much better asked in another section of this forum. I too have had this problem, but can over come it by stopping down the aperture. As long as you have enough light, set your camera to AV and choose 8 or smaller (through 11 or whatever) to ensure as much focus distance as possible. If lighting permits, just play it safe and go to infinity!

[SuzanneCarey]

Hi there! You are probably most correct about WHERE I should have posted this question. I don't want to be annoying now and post it again under a different section. :) But I may so it will be more appropriate. Thanks for the feedback though. Yes, I think a smaller aperature may be the best bet. Did that help you in your experience?

I have use 1/13 in one shot and the group was still not in "perfect" focus, so wondering if there is something else I am doing wrong. ?

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.

Suzanne

[Keiffer]

I would just bracket the Fstops, or just shoot the same shot while their all standing there from F8 to F22 and see which one you like or works better. But you will need enought light.

[Titus213]

Has no one asked how they will be arranged? If they are one behind the other you will have trouble with DOF. If they are all standing next to one another it will be equally difficult but not with DOF. Focus in the center of the group, check DOF with the preview or a chart. You have enough light in your kit to get a pretty good size group I would think.

BTW - Gary Fong's site shows a group of 55 with one LSII on a 420EX....