Lighting the back row the same as the front

This is something I often end up fixing in PS. I'll be shooting a family group of about10 adults 4 kids outside in the shade. I get the least shadows by front lighting with a studio strobe at the camera location through a large shoot through umbrella. Sometimes 2 strobes. Also a back light. I know there's a simple positioning of the front light to equally light the second row who'll be standing behind the seated front row ? High would seem good but I don't want dark areas under chins that I have to PP.
Thanks

The further back you have the lights from the subjects, the less fall off there will be between the first and second row. You'll just have to have enough power to get the light output you need for your exposure.

moeronn wrote in post #13005365
The further back you have the lights from the subjects, the less fall off there will be between the first and second row. You'll just have to have enough power to get the light output you need for your exposure.

+1.

Are trying to deal with shadows cast by the people in the front row or are you having trouble with light fall-off leaving the people farther back looking darker?

If the problem is shadows, use 2 strobes and keep them away from the camera. Or you could try changing the posing/positioning of the people within the group.

It's light fall-off and I have my answer from gonzogolf and moeronn.
I have enough power.

Thanks guys

krb wrote in post #13005375
If the problem is shadows, use 2 strobes and keep them away from the camera.

In multi-row group shots, this just gives you twice as many shadows. And often the people in the second row are in the shadow of both lights, caused by the two people on either side of them in the front row.

One light, above the camera, is the best strategy for eliminating shadows in multi-row group portraits.

And as has been suggested, increasing the distance from the light to the group will reduce the fall-off from front to back.

Curtis N wrote in post #13005448
In multi-row group shots, this just gives you twice as many shadows. And often the people in the second row are in the shadow of both lights, caused by the two people on either side of them in the front row.

One light, above the camera, is the best strategy for eliminating shadows in multi-row group portraits.

And as has been suggested, increasing the distance from the light to the group will reduce the fall-off from front to back.

Thanks Curtis that's what I have found. The single light that is. I should have figured out the light falloff.

Feathering the light helps, in addition to increasing distance. Point the light at the back row, and let the fall off light the rows equally.

edge100 wrote in post #13005685
Feathering the light helps, in addition to increasing distance. Point the light at the back row, and let the fall off light the rows equally.

Thanks