Lighting small groups vs. individuals

[Curtis Cunningham]

I'm learning about the ratios etc. for lighting individual portraiture, but do the same rules apply to group portraits (i.e. families)? Is the lighting "flatter" for groups, or do you just have to be more careful of where you pose individuals within a group shot (to avoid person #1's shadow from covering person #2 for example)?

[David_Buzzard]

You definitely want to the have the lighting coming from more in front than the side. Flatter and wider is the trick. You not only have to worry about shadows, but keeping the same amount of light on all the subjects.

[Dennis_Vied]

I saw this link in a recent post, but I can't remember which thread it was on, and I couldn't find it in a quick scan, so at the risk of redundancy, I'll repost it here. I found it had many good ideas.

Ask the 'ole pro' about photography

He has some very interesting ideas about group portraits.

[Curtis Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Dennis_Vied

I saw this link in a recent post, but I can't remember which thread it was on, and I couldn't find it in a quick scan, so at the risk of redundancy, I'll repost it here. I found it had many good ideas.

Ask the 'ole pro' about photography

He has some very interesting ideas about group portraits.

Thanks Dennis. I actually was wondering about this link as well. Doug Kerr had responded to a previous post I had made and had included the very link you just gave. I hadn't had time to read it yet, and so thought I'd see what others thought...

[DougAxford]

Oh my, that's ancient stuff. Even when I was starting out in the mid 70's, this was considered old.

That being said, classical portraiture is something we all should know and be able to shoot if needed. I just don't think it is what sells today. I remember going to many seminars, some of which were Zeltsman and you do indeed pick up little things from each one. Rocky Gunn even showed me how to pose hands once. Fond memories.

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