Help with a family photo

Hey Folks, I have come for a little advice. With holiday get togethers come family pictures. Next weekend I will be having some family over for a late X-mas things. With this, I have been asked to get a family picture done. We haven't had one done in a long time. There will be six adults and two kiddos. I am trying to figure out the best way to get this done. I am not wanting to do it in front of a tree or anythings, as I want it to be a picture that will be nice all year round. I will probably shoot it in my basement. I have kind of low ceilings at about 7'8". I have a roll of white seamless, two umbrellas, a 24" Qbox, a cheetah boom and a 45" reflector. I am shooting with a 5D2 with prob a 24-105. I have two speedlites, 580EX and a 580EXII and also have access to a third. Just trying to figure out how to get a nice pic with what I have. I can get a picture of the space that it is going to be taken in a bit, but just dont have time right now. just not sure what I should do for a background and stuff like that. IF anyone might have some suggestions, I would be appreciative. I understand the concepts of lights, just have a hard time putting them together sometimes. I am getting there, just slowly. Thanks in advance. If you have any examples that would be great.

Edit: SOme pics of the basement

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Will there be people wearing glasses? If so then you will need to be mindfull of the reflection that can occur if the lighting isn't placed properly.

I shot a couple of family pics for my wifes family back in 2011 using two umbrellas and YN560 flashes. It was a nightmare as I was working with a low ceiling and not much clear space around me to move where I wanted myself or my lighting placed.

The umbrellas were placed in front (about 5") and just to the outside of the group in each photo. I would like to have placed the umbrellas higher than eye level to the people in the back row to cut down on the reflection of the flash in their glasses but due to the low ceiling I did the best I could. Also be mindful about shadows caused by the group in front and to the left and right of center. Again that's why I went with the setup I did for the greatest/widest dispersal of light to the group as a whole.

Others may have another way of working around a scenario such as yours like bouncing the flash off the ceiling or walls but in a pinch and having never done anything like this before it's what I came up with in a pinch.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Hey Thorrulz, thanks for taking the time to post. Sorry that I have not gotten back to you. Those are some fine examples. I was thinking about moving the couch or love seat over to the seamless. The biggest thing that I am worried about is the background. I just dont want it to be too distracting. Thanks again.

You have large, blank walls that you can use for a background. Don't bother with the seamless.
Use the armchair and position it in front of a wall, with room behind the chair. One or two adults in the chair, a kid on each armrest, the rest of the adults standing behind and seated (in separate chairs) beside the chair. Have the shorter people stand and the tall people sit.

One flash unit on the camera, pointed straight up, with the wide panel deployed to create a large hotspot on the ceiling. Setup a second flash on a stand to one side of the camera but keep it fairly close, at camera height, also pointed straight up with the wide panel deployed.

If using the Canon Wireless Flash system to fire the second flash, use a 1:1 ratio or put them both in Manual mode at 1/2 power. The idea is to create a large hot spot on the ceiling, somewhat off-center, which becomes the apparent light source.

Be sure to get everything set up and metered before you bring in the subjects. To ensure enough DOF, set your aperture at f/8 and crank up the ISO as needed for exposure. If you're going to be in the shot, take a few test shots with the 10 second timer on the camera.

Take the shot early, before the young-uns either get hyped up on sugary snacks or tired and cranky (and before they spill food on their clothes). Bribe them with cookies for good behavior.

Good luck!

Sometimes you have to accept a background that is less than ideal.
This was done in a private dining room at a hotel. Large group dictated location and higher camera angle.
Lighting was two speedlites through umbrellas one on each side of camera feathered out just a bit to minimize hotspot in the middle from overlap. Both on manual about 1/4 power. My initial objective was to include room light for evenness. As it turned out the two umbrellas over powered the ambient.

^ 40 eyes, all open (more or less), all looking at the camera, and no fingers in kids' noses.

That's the very definition of a successful group shot right there.

This is why I generally recommend a KEEP IT SIMPLE approach to lighting any group shot. You'll need to focus your energy toward the subjects and trying to get their cooperation.

Curtis N wrote in post #15444458
^ 40 eyes, all open (more or less), all looking at the camera, and no fingers in kids' noses.

That's the very definition of a successful group shot right there.

This is why I generally recommend a KEEP IT SIMPLE approach to lighting any group shot. You'll need to focus your energy toward the subjects and trying to get their cooperation.

I should have mentioned that I use a cable release. Wired here, but generally a wireless. That permits me to look at the group, make sure fingers are in the right place, and most importantly interact with the group. Generally that means doing something animated and maybe goofy to get the kids attention. It helps get the adults smiling too.

And, as you know Curtis, there are lots of images in the digital darkroom that won't see the light of day because there are eyes closed and fingers in the wrong place.

I generally take five shots when I do a group portrait, and I still often have to swap faces w/ Photoshop to get all eyes open in a single image.

here's my share with only 430ex ii on-board the top of my camera with Demb Diffuser.

filipino?

yes.... pinoy.

Curtis N wrote in post #15445058
I generally take five shots when I do a group portrait, and I still often have to swap faces w/ Photoshop to get all eyes open in a single image.

Yep.
And when there are kids I take a few more. I think there were 12 or so of this group.

Well, it was done.. Didn't turn out as good as I would have wanted, but it works for what is wanted. I know the two shadows behind the lights are awful, but I have someone doing the fix for me. I don't know a damn thing about Photoshop. It is on my list.

After reading the response by CirtisN, I realize that I may have gone about this the wrong way. And after thinking about it a little more, I dont really know why I did it this way. I used my 60D with my Siggy 17-50 2.8. I had two umbrellas, one right and left, both with a 580EX at 1/2 power with 603c triggers. I was shooting manual at about 1/200 7.1 ISO 400. but had the umbrellas setup to be reflective with the black cover on. Both were up higher to keep the glasses from getting reflections. But because of the directionality of the reflective umbrellas, I have REALLY bad shadows on the walls. I also noticed some specular highlights that I am not fond of. Maybe I will get a chance for a re-do in the morning.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may try again, fixing some of my mistakes.