Family of 18...help!

[Stacey8221]

So I planned on shooting a family of 4 tonight and they just called and asked me to do a group shot of 18....I am a newbie and I'm still trying to process everything as far as aperature, DOF, shutter speed, etc.
I will be using my 50D and I have a 24-70 2.8 and a 50mm 1.4 and I would LOOOVE any help or advice you could give me as far as what settings to use and what lens. We will be outside in the afternoon (just a few hours) and there is about 8 kids ages 6months-8yrs and the rest adults.
I was thinking the 24-70, fstop at 11, on AV mode???

[HeleneD]

I guess it depends on if it's sunny or overcast. If it's sunny, use the sunny 16 rule and use manual settings for more control of your shutter speed. I would use the 24-70 unless you are doing individual portraits. I would also think about how you are going to pose them. I usually cruise flickr for inspiration

[Stacey8221]

It's actually a little of both right now. I'm thinking we might get some overcast! Hope so anyways! And yes I have NO idea how to pose them and am not good at giving orders :oops:
Does AV mode, f11, al focus and center point focus on the middle row sound ok?

[HeleneD]

Sounds like a good starting point. It's hard for me to say if that will work or not as AV sets your shutter. If it's overcast it could make your shutter speed too slow making the pic blurry. Are you comfortable shooting manual? If so that's what I would use.

[HeleneD]

So how did it go?

[Stacey8221]

Not good at all! It was a HUGE wake up call for me to say no to everyone who asks me to take their pictures from now on. However, I did stress to them over and over that I was still learning and that I couldn't promise them a good picture.
I really hope to figure all of this out in the next year or so and THEN practice on other families/people. Thanks for all of your help though!!
-Stacey

[HeleneD]

Sorry to hear it didn't go well. Keep practicing and reading the threads here. Every few months I look back at my own work and am amazed how much I've learned and improved. I'm sure the same will be true for you as well.

Do you have any shots to share? Maybe we can help you with whatever you struggled with.

[Stacey8221]

I am still out of town so I haven't been able to upload yet! I will definitely be posting a few to see if someone can help with the editing.....there is one picture I'm hoping someone will be able to save in PP!

[JoShAdKa4]

Sorry to hear it didn't go so well, but just wait until you get home and can really take a look at them on your computer... you may be surprised. I get like that, I get so discouraged and think I struck out in the worse way and then I get home and find a few winners. Then after I edit them I find some true gems of the bunch. So I hope you too find a few gems in the bunch.... : )

[suecassidy]

Not good at all! It was a HUGE wake up call for me to say no to everyone who asks me to take their pictures from now on.
-Stacey Yeah, so here's a teachable moment. I know that SOME people will just throw themselves into any situation and just roll with whatever happens. SOME people though, when don't have that personality and it can be a real setback when things go wrong. It would be a real shame if Bobbytannehill loses confidence just because she bit off more than she could chew because she couldn't say "no, I'm not ready for that yet...." Most people build up to a "family of 18, including babies." and don't go the trial by fire route. That is a tough sitting for ANYONE, so don't be too tough on yourself, and next time, just say, "no, not yet", if you are the type that doesn't have a high capacity for that sort of thing.