Group portraits advice please...

kelly1

Hello folks,

I badly need some advice on how best to do group photos. I'd much rather do invidual shots but I was asked to do this one.

Here's the result and frankly I think it's quite boring! First attempt btw and in my aunt's home...



I know it's not a good idea having everyone in a straight row but and I suppose I should have had the men standing at the back and the women in the front, maybe?

I also had to go quite wide with the zoom to get everyone in an keep this umbrellas out of view.

I would appreciate some suggestions on where to place lights etc. Should I really invest in some posing stools? I imagine it would be difficult to get the head hights right with ordinary stools.

Please help! Thanks.

mrboswell

First thing I notice is the shadows and the tight, high crop.

Maybe move the subjects out from the wall to help limit the shadows and just frame your shot a little lower to move the heads closer to the top of the frame.

kelly1

Thanks Mr. B. Yes, the shadows bugged me a bit. I wanted to moved them a bit forward but I was concerned that the edge of the paper roll would start to show. In fact I had to photoshop the edge because the curtain was showing.

Any thoughts on what focal length I'd want to be using?

Borderfox

This guy has some good advice on this, I actually like your shot. Its quirky in its setup and theres just something about it thats hard to put my finger on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_xU6IIGC7U

oshead

Your space is hardly appropriate (big enough) for getting the shot you're after. The posing stools are good and would help, but are quite expensive. Your subjects are quite old and may not be able to get into some of the poses and also may not be able to hold the pose for too long. Does the group shot have to be indoors or in a studio type session? How about an environmental type group shot where they could be seated and positioned better.

LeoB

Depending on the family I would try a few different set ups.

If you had a husband and wife sitting in front with the others standing behind

If they are all brothers and sisters I would try and have them all standing in a line with the youngest at front (the sun is defo effecting me)

I agre with Borderfox I like the shot, its different,and depending on how you frame it, a narrow frame it would look nice and I think they would be pleased with your image

kelly1

Thanks very much for the advice guys

I think the biggest mistake I made was not to have a pre-conceived idea beforehand. My dad lined up the chairs and I gave very little direction.

I think it could have been better if I'd used the existing furniture in the house and not used the gray backdrop.