equipment question

So I know this is kinda pointless to ask now but Im going to be doing photos for my girlfriends family next summer. They are getting all of their family together to take pictures and then have a reunion...

As far as the photos go, they will be all outdoors. What kind of equipment should I have with me?

Lighting? External Flash? New lenses?

Help me out please....

Thanks,
Dave

Personally, I would look into some off camera lighting using cheapish speedlights and wireless triggers. These will probably give you the best bang for you buck.

Something along the lines of one or two Nikon SB-25s or 28s. Some lighting stands and some sort of triggers. You could start with a set of the cactus triggers to see if it works out for you and then move up to something like Pocket Wizards.

Only after that would I move to a lens, maybe replacing your 18-55 with a faster aperture lens like the Tamron 17-55 f\2.8 or maybe a 70-200 f4, though the wide would probably be better for a larger family portrait.

Anyways, just some suggestions, it really comes down to what works for you .

canonnoob wrote in post #6121040
So I know this is kinda pointless to ask now but Im going to be doing photos for my girlfriends family next summer. They are getting all of their family together to take pictures and then have a reunion...

As far as the photos go, they will be all outdoors. What kind of equipment should I have with me?

Lighting? External Flash? New lenses?

Help me out please....

Thanks,
Dave

i'd want a lens like the 17-55 IS and a 430ex speedlight. read up on flash photography and practice alot and you will will make some beautiful pictures .

ed rader

Thanks for the idea guys... keep em comin...

Depends on the setting. Unless you really want an excuse to buy more stuff, if there's a large enough area with open shade the only thing you'll need is a flash for a kicker. A tripod would be useful so you can direct them (so nobody's hidden behind anyone else). If it's a really large group, take a series of overlapping portrait-orientation shots and make a panorama.

But finding a place where they can all be visible is the biggest issue; I've done groups of up to 125-150 in a variety of settings and with a variety of gear. Aside from lighting, the biggest problem has always been where to put them so I could see everyone.

i see... jon thanks you always there to help when i need ya

(Big) Tripod would be usefull anyway: You might want to swap out a head maybe, in case someone has closed eyes for instance.

If the light is right, there's no need for a flash.

Stop down for sufficient DoF, take quite a few frames, and have everything set up before the group arrives... Keeping focussed to the matter at hand (having a picture taken) seems to be hard for a big group for more then about a few minutes or so

i'm sorry, but second time i've seen this today, what is a cactus trigger?

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