photographing groups of students

[crisco]

Hello,

I am new to this website and i have a question to throw out there. I have a school contract with a local school. the principal has decided he wants to do something more creative with a very large group of students (90-110)! We thought of taking pictures of the classes separately and then photoshopping them together. So here is where my question comes in. Where can i find samples of this technique? We are looking for something a little more casual than the typical group picture, something candid and fun. Like some students standing, sitting, leaning on each other, arms around each other. HELP! I really want to make this happen but I can't figure out how to make it work.

Thank you in advance for any great responses

[CaptainTom]

get up on the roof of the school and make sure you have a bullhorn to direct them with. Get it organized very heavily at first and then gradually (if possible) let them get more creative and crazy on their own. Watch out for flashers and other "ruiners of images"...

[toverman]

Last week, I got on the roof of an elementary school and shot photos of all 500 students at one time. With that many, it was mostly about getting them all to look in my direction and having the sides (top, bottom, left and right) even. With my group, the point wasn't being able to pick out individuals, but the collective body wearing the same T-shirts for a schoolwide project. With fewer kids, you might be able to do things like spell out the initials of the school, or do oddball shapes relating to the school (mascot, etc.). If they're game and you have a good place, you might even get them all to lay on the ground.

As much as I don't like people saying "cheese" while I'm taking a photo, the word "cheese" said in unison while I was firing away let me know that I had their attention.

Good luck!

[carrbowl]

We knew a fireman and although the fireman himself had to take the photo, we directed all the people, and he got up in the crane and shot the photo...you could spell the school...like the initials, or create the logo or something similar

[B23da]

yeah Renae has the right idea.

[tri]

create multiple levels of kids please!