Help!! Family of 20 wants a pic

[jagphoto]

I have never shot so many people at one time, so please tell me what I might need to get to make this good. They want a BW pic for their parents 50th wedding anniversary, and they want to shoot at the park in Coles Crossing. Does anyone have suggestions for equipment I might need to rent? The shoot will be at 6pm because people are coming in from out of town.

Thanks,
Lisa

[kimberley]

Ive shot there many times great place to shoot.......Ive used my 50mm or my 70-200.

Good luck

[JPalmer]

a tall ladder

[CalebSimpson]

Originally Posted by JPalmer

a tall ladder

and strobes! the sun is going to be very strong about eye level at that point in time. you may want to shoot backlit and stop down your exposure and let the strobes do the work.

[jagphoto]

Thanks for all the info!!

[engstrom]

How big of a print do they want and what kind of camera do you have?

[jagphoto]

Originally Posted by engstrom

How big of a print do they want and what kind of camera do you have?

John, they are looking for a BW around 16 X 20 print for their parents 50th wedding anniversary. I have a Canon XT.

Thanks,
Lisa

[engstrom]

Lisa, your camera will definately be able to produce a very nice 16 x 20. I'd do what Caleb suggested and look into renting some strobes.

[jagphoto]

Originally Posted by engstrom

Lisa, your camera will definately be able to produce a very nice 16 x 20. I'd do what Caleb suggested and look into renting some strobes.

Thanks John,
What is the name of the place again? I looked it up online, but I'm not having any luck.

[jagphoto]

Just thought I might ask if anyone wants, or could come out to help a little????

[Cope]

Originally Posted by jagphoto

Thanks John,
What is the name of the place again? I looked it up online, but I'm not having any luck.

Check with Houston Camera Exchange. If they don't rent, they can tell you who does. One issue may be power at the location.

[Silvernic]

Originally Posted by JPalmer

a tall ladder

Why a Ladder???

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Silvernic

Why a Ladder???

Because it's better with big groups to get some sort of 'stack' going on in the picture,
otherwise you have two rows of 10 people, which is a pretty boring photo.

If you can get above them, you can stack the heads, without them having to perform some
sort of complex pyramid from cheerleader tryouts ;)


Doesn't have to be a ladder, if you can shoot down on them from a balcony or something, but
a difference in height from you to them can be really helpful. Either that or pose them on some sort of staircase or something, maybe.


Basically, it's a composition thing and how you want to arrange them. Good luck though, 20
is a large group to try and get everyone with their eyes open at the same time - best to take
a few extra frames.

I once did a shoot with 150 people - had to blend a few frames in photoshop to get everyone looking/ eyes open/ not weird expressions.

[sbp]

more then one photo of each setting in-case some one close his/her eyes.
Also use stand if possible. I have taken photo of 36 people and client has enlarge to 30x24 using 20D regular 18-55 lense.

Make sure you can see eveyone in your viewfinder clearly if not don't be shy to tell them to move around.

[JPalmer]

have you ever seen a photographer on a ladder?....it's comic relief and the crowd of 20 will be laughing...which makes for a great photo.

aaaaand what gordon said too.