Large Groups

[Hawkcode]

Hi,

I'd like to know how you guys shoot large groups, exposure wise.

Do you use a defuser on your flash?

What iso, aperture and shutter speed do you use?

I just had a large family group at a 50th wedding anniversary and I Kept my Fong defuser on but I found I had to bump my iso up to 1600.

Also for doing a reception, what settings do you have your camera set to? I was trying to keep my flash exposure 2 shops above the room light. I found I bumped up my iso here too.

I'm just getting back into this and was curious.

I'm using a Canon Mark III with the 580 Flash.

Thanks

Rich

[Mike Keller]

How large a group? At weddings I use an SB800 on camera and an SB600 on a stand, I can do a dozen people that way just fine at ISO400. I'll hand hold down to 1/30 for some ambient, or might use a tripod, depends on the room. I will not bump up a large group past ISO400, large group = large print. Edit: I'm using a Nikon D2x.

I shot my parents-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary gathering with a Cirkut camera, but I don't think you meant something like that.

[DougAxford]

I'd take any diffuser off for any group shot for sure. Just a hindrance.

Most pros now are shooting reception candids at 3200 with the new cameras and using no flash or even video lights that are the same color temp as the indoor lights.

[ed_eng]

I just shot a group of 50 with 5 SB800 no cover at F8 @1/30sec with ISO 800 with Nikon D300 Work just great. All lights in a line just above height of Camera. Normally I would use a few studio power pack but was surprise at the last minute to shoot group. Will use these small lights in the future more.
Ed

[Albert Yanowich Jr.]

White Lightning 3200 with Vagabond portable power supply.

Pick a group!

Sample Groups Photo Gallery by Albert Yanowich Jr. at pbase.com

Albert Yanowich Jr.

[Mike_Guilbault]

Great looking groups Albert!! Indoors, for groups like that, I use two Photogenic 600ws units into umbrellas. Outdoors - ambient light as much as possible with a Quantum Q-Flash for a little fill (sometimes very little).

[Albert Yanowich Jr.]

Originally Posted by Mike_Guilbault

Great looking groups Albert!! Indoors, for groups like that, I use two Photogenic 600ws units into umbrellas. Outdoors - ambient light as much as possible with a Quantum Q-Flash for a little fill (sometimes very little).

Thanks Mike!

I like to place my ambient (sun) behind the group whenever possible and get it about 1 stop lower than my subject EV. Quantums and even the Metz 60-CT4's I used to use just don't have enough juice for a group shot.
The 3200 (Whitelightning) affords me enough power to diffuse if I want (or power down) or give it full power in case of really long shadows (20 min from sunset) as in this example:
"Sample 48" photo - Albert Yanowich Jr. photos at pbase.com

Albert

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