30-35 group shot

I have checked out some of the group shot threads. I was hoping for some advice with best lens/lighting setup. Also should I be elevated to do the shot?
Scenario:

80th Birthday party in National Park OR Neighborhood Youth Center if rain, and looking like it might rain alllll day. Very much appreciate any help you can give.

I have

5D
40D
580 EX
580 EX II
Genesis 200
Alien B 800RB
brelly's
stands
PWII x 2
15
16-35 f2.8
24-70 f2.8
50 1.4
85 1.8
100 Macro
70-200

Have a read of this thread.

My suggestion is keep it simple - get the biggest light you have as high as you can, and shoot down from a latter underneath the light. Multiple lights causes shadows on faces in the back. Worst case - up a latter with the 16-35, F5.6, 1/100th, ISO800, 580EX II on ETTL with FEC+1.

tim wrote in post #5852572
Have a read of this thread.

My suggestion is keep it simple - get the biggest light you have as high as you can, and shoot down from a latter underneath the light. Multiple lights causes shadows on faces in the back. Worst case - up a latter with the 16-35, F5.6, 1/100th, ISO800, 580EX II on ETTL with FEC+1.

Thanks Tim,

I am so glad you responded. I saw your feedback in the other threads I searched before posting. If I shoot inside...I have Background stands that go as high as 12 feet. So I could put the Genesis 200 on that. So do you mean it should be right behind me? I like the link in that thread from Gardener and the arc formation. Ration something like 3 deep x 10 back? Do you think that means line the people up like this V or the opposite? Also, someone recommended a bracket, I have one. Should I use that in addition to the 200 to throw more light? I love the 16-35 for groups, but it can distort sometimes, I was thinking of using it on the 5d and the 50 on the 40d. How does that sound? Thanks much for the advice.

Get up as high as you can, and use the longest lens that fits the whole group in. Shoot the big strobe into an umbrella set to your immediately left or right, right beside you, or above you if you like. Don't bother with the hotshoe flash if you have a big strobe. When I take group shots the camera is usually about 12 feet off the ground, but if I can I go shoot from a balcony. Not sure what you mean about the formation, doing group shots is like herding cats especially since my groups are 60-360 people, getting everyone into the same area and looking in the same direction within a reasonable timeframe is a big enough achievement sometimes. Though once things went well and I was shooting from 2 stories up so I arranged the group in the shape of a heart.

tim wrote in post #5852638
Get up as high as you can, and use the longest lens that fits the whole group in. Shoot the big strobe into an umbrella set to your immediately left or right, right beside you, or above you if you like. Don't bother with the hotshoe flash if you have a big strobe. When I take group shots the camera is usually about 12 feet off the ground, but if I can I go shoot from a balcony. Not sure what you mean about the formation, doing group shots is like herding cats especially since my groups are 60-360 people, getting everyone into the same area and looking in the same direction within a reasonable timeframe is a big enough achievement sometimes. Though once things went well and I was shooting from 2 stories up so I arranged the group in the shape of a heart.

Thanks much. That is very helpful. Anyway you could post the heart shaped formation?

My only suggestion is to look through the wedding section, or through wedding photographers sites for ideas on group shots. You may find some different ways to pose everyone for something fun. Jeff Toogood, a former member here, has some really cool groups shots. A search on his name, or Toogy should find his posts. And there are others here as well, like Tim here. You have a 5D and 16-35 so you have a wide enough angle to be creative.

BobbyT wrote in post #5852724
My only suggestion is to look through the wedding section, or through wedding photographers sites for ideas on group shots. You may find some different ways to pose everyone for something fun. Jeff Toogood, a former member here, has some really cool groups shots. A search on his name, or Toogy should find his posts. And there are others here as well, like Tim here. You have a 5D and 16-35 so you have a wide enough angle to be creative.

Thanks BobbyT, I did tip through that section some and I love Toogy's groupings and will definitely try that. I just scouted the room she booked and it was like a dark cave so did some fast footwork and rebooked her at no additional paperwork or cost at another rec facility in the same grouping of buildings. The light is much better there and the light even reflects off the bright floor! I will try to post the different rooms.

Here are the 2 different rooms.

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Photodawg1 wrote in post #5852665
Thanks much. That is very helpful. Anyway you could post the heart shaped formation?

Fortunately it was still lying around on my web server, though it's not generally publicly accessible. Take a look here.

Oh that is sooo cool! Boy you are really high on that ladder. I just used a step ladder but I think it was enough. Will post something later.

How may rows? Are you sure f/5.6 will give enough DoF on a 5D?