Group Portrait Help?

[amye]

Hey all! Here's some food for thought...

A friend of mine has asked me to take a group portrait of his organization's board of directors (about 20 people) for use in conjunction with a local film festival.

My first thought was that this will have to be done outdoors (late afternoon/early evening) -- using natural light, as I have absolutely NO CLUE what I'm doing with studio lights (not to mention the fact that I have no SPACE to shoot 20 people inside!)

But, the more I think about it, the more I want this to be different than just your typical "bowling pin" stacked group photo... it might be cool to do something using the movie theater seating (which would tie the photo back into the festival), but I would need lighting for that... ergh.

And If I take these outside, I'm really not sure the best way to creatively arrange 20 people...

Any thoughts??
amy

p.s. Also do you think I could get away with using the kit lens (would probably be ok outside) or should I stick with the 50mm? OR should I look into renting something else?? thanks :)

[amye]

ok-- I think I've found a solution.

I'm pretty sure the film festival location is going to let us use one of the theaters for the shot. (I'm just hoping that the illumination from the screen will be enough lighting)

will be kinda cool (i hope!)

[engstrom]

If at all possible I would reccomend renting a couple 550/580 flashes. Use one on the camera as the master and put two on stands pointing at the sides of the group. I don't think the light from the theater and screen will be enough. Plus, if you're between the screen and the group your shadow will be cast on the group.

But, given all that take what I say with a grain of salt because I'm not a portrait photographer, I don't play one on TV, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[amye]

Ahhhhh... good point!

Hadn't thought about the shadow... I will definitely look into renting a few flashes.

Thanks!!

[engstrom]

Amy, depending on when you are going to do the shoot I have a 580EX you could borrow. They're probably not too much to rent (my guess is around $20 or so) but you might not be able to find 2 or 3 for rent. Let me know when the shoot is if you want to borrow my flash.

[amye]

Hey John, Thank you so much for the offer! I'll probably take you up on it.

It will most likely be within the next couple of weeks, on a Saturday or Sunday morning (before the theater opens).

Thanks again! And I'll be in touch,
amy

[engstrom]

No problem. I'm going to be using it the weekend of Oct 1 & 2 but before or after that is OK with me.