Strobe Recommendation...

LincsRP wrote in post #17851462
As you have a 6D and 5D I'd go without any strobes etc. A static subject shouldn't pose too much problem but you will have to shoot a lot of frames to pick the one with the minimum of blinkers.

5 frames a second for about 5 seconds should get you a frame with minimum blinkers and without the hassle of strobes. Strobes make folks blink and 70 peeps in the frame is going to be a nightmare without a lot of experience.

Cleaning up noise is going to be easier than dealing with strobe shadows. Shoot cleanley exposing to the right if you're a raw shooter .

As long as you are happy with dark eye sockets that would be an option.

Dark eye sockets come from overhead lights and really is this relevent?

The OP equipment is the key. The 6D is a capable camera and used as such can capture 70 folks easily.

LincsRP wrote in post #17851551
Dark eye sockets come from overhead lights and really is this relevent?

The OP equipment is the key. The 6D is a capable camera and used as such can capture 70 folks easily.

The sun is often overhead.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17851559
The sun is often overhead.

From my first post:

"I've got a shoot coming up in about three weeks. It's going to be about 70 people, photographed outdoors while it's still light, but after the sun has gone down. "

Road Dog wrote in post #17851565
From my first post:

"I've got a shoot coming up in about three weeks. It's going to be about 70 people, photographed outdoors while it's still light, but after the sun has gone down. "

You are still going to want directional light into the faces.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17851569
You are still going to want directional light into the faces.

Sure, but an overhead sun isn't going to be much of a factor...

Have you scouted the location where you're going to shoot? Are the subjects going to be facing into the sunset, or will the sun be behind them?

What's the weather going to be like on the day of the shoot? A nice golden-hour sunset, or overcast and blue? Hopefully not raining.


How often do you you shoot during that brief window after sunset? Know that that light will go away FAST, especially trying to manage 70 people.

Tell people to start arriving an hour before sunset, start arranging people half an hour before sunset, take the shot right at sunset. A cheap megaphone will be extremely useful - maybe you can shout loudly, but the megaphone gives you a different quality of voice that'll help you stand out from the din.

70 people isn't going to be a work of art photo. I would crank the ISO and shoot a ton of frames and pick the best one. Shoot from above if you can, it makes it a lot easier with large groups. Swap heads as needed. Here's a one of mine. 110 kids. 2 strobes bounced because I could but if they're looking up you won't need to worry about dark eye sockets.

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Link is right.. don't shoot only one frame.. shoot 10 or 20 or so... makes it much easier to find a good face for everyone.

the only way I see 1 strobe or one speedlight lighting up 70 people is to bounce it off the wall/ceiling corner behind you, with the iso cranked up.

That will produce better results, at least I think it will, for taking pictures with only the light after the sun sets though. But, there are times you don't have that option.


Otherwise, you are going to have to crank the 6D iso and at least have them facing in the direction of the setting sun, IMHO.


I mean, I guess you could pull a couple cars around and splash them with headlights, but that isn't a very pretty look...