X100 group shot

Miskec wrote:

Hi all!

I was asked to take a few quick groupshots of kindergarten kids and their theachers. Total number of people in the photo will be no more than 15. I will be using only my x100 and i will shoot in the backyard. I am looking for usefull tips.

Time of day to shoot?

Any time that there is enough light, but without harsh contrast - definitely avoid midday sun or you're going to have deep shadows to sort in post, best to avoid this. An overcast sky with bright, but diffuse light would be ideal.

Shoot with sun in the background or not?

Unless you've got a good light source in foreground and/or you want to intentionally blow out the background, I would avoid this.

Shoud I stand on a stool or step to be slightly above them?

It might not be a bad idea to minimize shadows, but I'd probably want to keep any peripheral lines in the composition vertical.

Which F number to use?

It depends on subject distance, but I'd likely go f/5.6 - f/8 for the good sharpness and plenty of DOF.

If people stand in 4 rows, on which row do I focus?

If I was using AF, probably the second one (there is typically a bit more DOF behind the focus point than in front of it. To be safe, I'd almost certainly flip to MF mode with Focus Peaking on (I like Blue/Low) and dial in the maximum peaking indication for all your subjects (MF operates automatically wide open at f/2 for best critical focus indication, but will shoot at the desired f/5.6-f/8). Avoid standing in too close - better to be at a distance for greater DOF, and a more natural perspective. it's OK to leave a bit of space at the edges and crop a little, 23mm can look a little fishbowly if you're too close.

I think built in flash on x100 is too weak?

I really dislike the direct flash look and would likely avoid it even if it wasn't too weak. I'd much rather balance the light in post with a RAW file. I'm sure some folks will tell you to add some fill flash, but it almost never looks better, IMO. YMMV.

I am so worried every time I need to take a photo off a group so please help.

Don't worry about it, take a bunch of shots with a bit more and less exposure if you aren't sure. Short bursts are a good idea to (hopefully) get one with everyone's eyes all open at the same time (and the means to fix that if they aren't).

Thank you

No problemo, I'm no portrait expert by any stretch, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but it's what I'd do. Good luck.

Erik