Andre Goforth <goforth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Ian,
>
>You should see the heads in the 3rd and 4th rows! And then those standing
>up a set of stairs were tiny. It is like going from a soccer ball to a
>tennis ball! I don't know if they teach this stuff in photography school
>but I haven't seen any rules of thumb in regard to shooting groups in
>how-to-photo books. Maybe in how to do wedding photo books? Anybody got a
>reference that would be helpful? I'm suppose to shoot another such group
>shot in a month and this time I will try to use a 35mm, if I can get
>everybody in it!
>
Actually, this *is* taught in photo school, at least it was taught to me.
The key difference is we learned to use a ladder, mount the camera as high
as you could (or dared!) and then tilt the front standard down. Looks like
a job for the 24mm shift to me :-).
A tad more seriously, even with a fixed (non-PC) lens, it is to your
advantage to gain some elevation. Even a few feet will help. Also, for
group shots you want to use the longest length you possible can given the
constraints of shooting space. I've been known to move a table against a
wall and stand on it, with my head inches from the ceiling, for large
groups. Again, within the constraints of available space, its generally
better to limit a row to around eight people and add a rown if need be,
rather than make the row(s) longer. The long row is what tends to force the
photographer to a wider angle lens selection. Usually a mix of standing,
sitting and/or kneeling and sitting of the floor will accomodate a pretty
large group. Stairs are *very* handy, especially for a wedding party group
including family members. Such a group can easily number 30-40 in a large
service. Three or four steps are all you need. If you don't have steps
handy, improvise.
John P
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