Dear newsletter friends,
During a time when everyone has a digital camera it's time that we set ourselves apart from what the amateurs are doing by creating fantastic compositions. One area in particular that I have found it easy to have the upper hand on the "uncle harry's" is in the area of groups. I have noticed that no matter how great the photojournalism is at a wedding, the clients keep ordering the groups! Let's discuss my thoughts for artistic group compositions and give you the top ten list for making group photography your specialty.
1. Have a plan. Using the circles in the diagram enclosed, we already know where the heads need to be placed for specific number of people we are photographing.
2. Bring posing stools. These pictures will never happen without adjustable stools.
3. Remember, people buy pictures based on two things, how does my body look and what is my expression. This reminds me to keep the heavy people in the back rows.
4. The need for speed. People will get tired of posing so we need to plan our work and work our plan, quickly.
5. Keep the lighting flat for big groups so there are no objectionable shadows. I never work with flash on camera for portrait work. I keep a flash unit just above the camera on a light stand, triggered by a remote sending unit.
6. For bigger groups always try to keep faces on the same plane so that front row does not appear twice as large as the back row. A higher camera position will help in this area. Don't forget your ladder.
7. Learn how to create large compositions using arm chairs. This gives you three rows of faces all on the same plane. Keep the slimmer women in the front row, and then add the slimmer, younger boys and girls on the arms, and stand the men in the back row. I always take the children and use them like cement to fill in areas that might otherwise be distracting.
8. Use a tripod. I always have the camera mounted to a tripod for two reasons. First, camera shake will ruin everything, however, more importantly, if I need to go in a make a slight change to the composition, I can step in and out of the group and when I return to the camera, I don't have to recompose.
9. Bring the people forward and keep the people in the middle to the front of the room and let the background be just that, the background. This will add depth to the indoor groups. Be sure and add a back light if necessary to separate the group from the back wall and remove shadows that might be evident from your main light.
10. Practice! Practice! Practice! Ask family members, or friends from church to come in for some free portraits. The more you practice, the more confidence you build.
Remember that it takes true skill to be photographer of groups. Using these guidelines go out and begin jump starting your business with some new families, creating family groups that will be sure to become heirlooms for generations.
Clay
During a time when everyone has a digital camera it's time that we set ourselves apart from what the amateurs are doing by creating fantastic compositions. One area in particular that I have found it easy to have the upper hand on the "uncle harry's" is in the area of groups. I have noticed that no matter how great the photojournalism is at a wedding, the clients keep ordering the groups! Let's discuss my thoughts for artistic group compositions and give you the top ten list for making group photography your specialty.
1. Have a plan. Using the circles in the diagram enclosed, we already know where the heads need to be placed for specific number of people we are photographing.
2. Bring posing stools. These pictures will never happen without adjustable stools.
3. Remember, people buy pictures based on two things, how does my body look and what is my expression. This reminds me to keep the heavy people in the back rows.
4. The need for speed. People will get tired of posing so we need to plan our work and work our plan, quickly.
5. Keep the lighting flat for big groups so there are no objectionable shadows. I never work with flash on camera for portrait work. I keep a flash unit just above the camera on a light stand, triggered by a remote sending unit.
6. For bigger groups always try to keep faces on the same plane so that front row does not appear twice as large as the back row. A higher camera position will help in this area. Don't forget your ladder.
7. Learn how to create large compositions using arm chairs. This gives you three rows of faces all on the same plane. Keep the slimmer women in the front row, and then add the slimmer, younger boys and girls on the arms, and stand the men in the back row. I always take the children and use them like cement to fill in areas that might otherwise be distracting.
8. Use a tripod. I always have the camera mounted to a tripod for two reasons. First, camera shake will ruin everything, however, more importantly, if I need to go in a make a slight change to the composition, I can step in and out of the group and when I return to the camera, I don't have to recompose.
9. Bring the people forward and keep the people in the middle to the front of the room and let the background be just that, the background. This will add depth to the indoor groups. Be sure and add a back light if necessary to separate the group from the back wall and remove shadows that might be evident from your main light.
10. Practice! Practice! Practice! Ask family members, or friends from church to come in for some free portraits. The more you practice, the more confidence you build.
Remember that it takes true skill to be photographer of groups. Using these guidelines go out and begin jump starting your business with some new families, creating family groups that will be sure to become heirlooms for generations.
Clay
