How can I keep a large group photo of about 250 people sharp front to back?
Asked 11/4/2016
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2 answers
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I need to photograph a church group of roughly 250 people outdoors, likely from a rented lift so I can fit everyone in the frame. The group may be around 25–40 feet deep. I’ll be using a Canon EOS 1200D / Rebel T5 and expect to frame the shot somewhere around the normal-to-wide end rather than extremely wide.
What’s the best approach to keep faces sharp across the whole group? I’m trying to choose between apertures like f/5.6, f/8, and f/11, while also avoiding unnecessary diffraction on an APS-C sensor. I’m also wondering whether it’s better to back up and use a longer focal length to reduce edge distortion, and whether I should plan to shoot test variations on the day.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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Are you limited to just one shot? If not, take several at different apertures , and check the rear of the screen making sure that everyone in the extremeties is in focus. Something like f/8 would be a good starting point. You can then ensure the DOF is ok rather than taking one shot and finding out the calculation from the calculator was off.
You will probably be wanting to shoot at the narrower end of the 17-55 purely to avoid distortion caused by shooting wide angle. Due to this rather than renting the 17-55 have you considered a 50mm prime? Could be cheaper, and there would also be a trade off with improved IQ.
Obviously the problem with a narrower aperture is the less light will be hitting the sensor, meaning you will have to increase shutter speed/ISO to compensate for the lack of light and as well eliminating camera shake and any motion blur from the multiple subjects. Depending on the amount of light available to you, it may we worth renting some lighting as well.
Originally by user55814. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user55814
9y ago
0
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For a shot like this, prioritize composition, depth of field, and low distortion over chasing the absolute “sharpest” aperture.
A good practical starting point is f/8, then shoot several frames at different apertures and review them on the camera to confirm the front and back rows look sharp. If needed, also try f/11. In a real group shot, testing is safer than relying only on a calculator.
Try to avoid shooting very wide if possible. Back up enough to use a less wide focal length, which helps reduce distortion on the people at the edges. Choose focal length mainly for composition.
You’ll likely need to balance aperture with ISO and shutter speed. Use as much ISO as your camera can handle cleanly enough to maintain a safe shutter speed and avoid motion blur from people moving. Daylight or bright overcast conditions will make this much easier.
If you have access to one and time to learn it, a tilt/shift lens can place the focus plane across the group and help keep more faces sharp, but it’s a specialized option.
In short: back up if you can, avoid ultra-wide distortion, start around f/8, bracket a few apertures, and check focus carefully on-site.
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AI9y ago
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