What FL would you choose for outdoor family portraits?

Hey all,

What focal length would you choose for outdoor family photos (4-6 people) most often (obviously you would potentially use multiple, but we're talking most frequently here) and why?  I have used my 85mm some for outdoor family photos, but I find the working distance to be a little too much, whereas the 85mm is pretty perfect for just one person.

As you say, an 85mm might be a little long for family portraits, especially if you use the self-timer and need to scamper into position! This is one of the few times where I would recommend a 50mm.

BAK wrote:

I'd probably start by thinking about how I would like the portrait to look.

Would I like the 4 - 6 people side by side, standing by the fence, leaning on the top rail, with the shorter family members peeking between the rails?

That's pretty wide; a horizontal shot.

Or would I like grandma and grandpa sitting side by each on a park bench. Son and daughter in law standing behind the bench. Two grandchildren sitting on grandparents laps.

That's pretty narrow; a vertical shot.

Or, perhaps, there are family members hanging upside down from a tree branch.

Before you pick a lens, or the focal length of a zoom, think like a real photographer.

What's the shot you want?

What equipment do you have, or can you borrow, that lets you get the shot?

And most good photographers have several ideas, although Karsh seemed to nail a lot of shots with one pose and a couple of sheets of film.

So what are the other shots you want?

An 18-55mm Canon kit lens, or, a newer 18 - 135mm Canon kit lens, are wonderful family portrait lenses because they match a wide range of ideas, visions and concepts.

BAK

Lots of good ideas, thanks.  I should have specified full frame and I do have a 24-105 that I use often taking pictures of families.  Biggest issue is that it's at it's sharpest at more like f5.6, and I would probably prefer to have the shots taken in the f2.8 to f4.5 range if possible.  So I'm thinking I will use that lens as the zoom, have the 85mm handy and also another prime.

Generally for that I would just stick with my 24-70 2.8, as it sounds like you are talking informal style shots, family get togethers etc, always find the zoom works well for those situations.

It depends on a lot of factors, honestly.  I voted 50mm and I stand by it being my most often used focal length for these types of things.  I have shot 135 f2 wide open for one before, it all just depends upon the look you want to get and the room you have available.  I've shot 35mm for some as well, but I wouldn't generally want to go wider than that, for sure.

diness wrote:

BAK wrote:

I'd probably start by thinking about how I would like the portrait to look.

Would I like the 4 - 6 people side by side, standing by the fence, leaning on the top rail, with the shorter family members peeking between the rails?

That's pretty wide; a horizontal shot.

Or would I like grandma and grandpa sitting side by each on a park bench. Son and daughter in law standing behind the bench. Two grandchildren sitting on grandparents laps.

That's pretty narrow; a vertical shot.

Or, perhaps, there are family members hanging upside down from a tree branch.

Before you pick a lens, or the focal length of a zoom, think like a real photographer.

What's the shot you want?

What equipment do you have, or can you borrow, that lets you get the shot?

And most good photographers have several ideas, although Karsh seemed to nail a lot of shots with one pose and a couple of sheets of film.

So what are the other shots you want?

An 18-55mm Canon kit lens, or, a newer 18 - 135mm Canon kit lens, are wonderful family portrait lenses because they match a wide range of ideas, visions and concepts.

BAK

Lots of good ideas, thanks. I should have specified full frame and I do have a 24-105 that I use often taking pictures of families. Biggest issue is that it's at it's sharpest at more like f5.6, and I would probably prefer to have the shots taken in the f2.8 to f4.5 range if possible. So I'm thinking I will use that lens as the zoom, have the 85mm handy and also another prime.

With groups, unless thy're all in a line (which is unlikely to be that interesting!) you'll need more DOF than you'll get at f4.5 anyway, so you probably already have the ideal lens in your 24-105 - especially as you really don't need great sharpness for portraits unless you're using perfect models with perfect make-up. Just stay clear of the edges at 24mm wide open and you'll be fine.