E-Shoot - multiplicity

Here's an idea I've had for a while to do (I've seen other execute it excellently too), which is based on multiple shots of a scene.

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Nice, but why the tilt?

oops, I'll fix that in lightroom.

I like the idea a lot. But I think this is a bad location to execute the idea. It looks kinda like a police line up. A scene with some depth would work better I think. A semi close up head shot of the 2. And as a surprise to the viewer... over one shoulder they are at a picnic table as well.... and over the other shoulder they are playing frisbee, over to the side he is opening the car door for her... You get the idea.

Mark1, that is something I will bear in mind for the future. I agree with you, that would be by far more effective than a flat -ish line up that I have created here. My first attempts, so the next one will be more effective!

There are a few technical challenges which I need to work on, when doing this outdoors:

Lighting needs to be consistent with shadows in the right places- otherwise the image lacks credibility (for me at least)

Depth of field needs to be consistent throughout, as well the focus point. To avoid the image looking plain wrong.

Although not a hard shot to execute, it does have a number of subtleties that give the image credibility!

You do need to find the proper DOF that is true. However the entire image does not have to be tack sharp for this to work. They only need to be recognizable as the same people. And when they are up close and wearing the same clothes your brain takes over and makes up its own details. And since this is already a composition of multiple shots. The shot of them up close can be its own "setting" then overlayed over the others. This will eliminate the focus shift problem.

Macro shooters shoot multiple images and then stack them to increase depth of field. There is no reason you cant do the same with this shot. If you start with a base shot with your focus on the background or center of interest in the scene sans people, then only mask in the subjects, each in sharp focus regardless of depth you get a fairly pleasing result.

Thanks for the tips chaps. I'll re-try this this week with another couple and see if I can make an improvement.

i like the background.

i don't like the tilt or the fact that you are not perpendicular to the wall. Your camera needs to be square to the wall. It doesn't appear to be. Looks like you were turned slightly to your left.

And try to vary up the poses a little more next time. they are all very similar.

overall, i like the picture.

Fair comment! I will bear in mind for the next shoot!

oooh... neat idea, thanx for sharing, going to steal it for my next session.

On the 5th couple from the left you can see through his head.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #9727315
On the 5th couple from the left you can see through his head.

there's only 5 couples.

good catch. i didn't see that the first time looking.

I love this kind of shot! I agree with much of the advice you've gotten, but still like this--what did the couple think? Is there anywhere I can find the steps to making a photo like this?

cool beans