Taking group photos that stand out in a crowd
Taking group photos can be a challenge. We have all seen family group photos where at least one person is looking away from the camera, or has their eyes closed, or a silly expression on their face haven't we?
Or how about the static, wooden shot of a group of people all lined up, looking bored and obviously wishing the photo session was over?
It need not be like this! Taking group photos can be fun for photographer and subjects alike. The tips below should help you get better photos next time you are asked to point your digital camera at a group of people.
So what are the reasons behind photographing groups of people?
Well, of course there are the traditional group shots taken outside the church when a couple tie the knot. You may not be the official photographer but you won't want to miss the opportunity to snap everyone in their finery.
And then there are other family occasions when we all get together, birthdays, vacations, Christmas etc. Or how about when there is a new addition to the family? A chance to get baby, parents, grandparents and even great grandparents in one picture should never be passed up.
Moving outside the family circle, there are sports teams, school classes, drama groups or even friends that would love a record of their achievements or a special event they shared.
If you are the person behind the camera in this circumstances what can you do to ensure a successful outcome? How can you get the best pictures whilst keeping everyone happy and co-operative?
Read on for some tips and ideas to make taking group photos fun and successful.
1. Preparation
Have you ever been embarrassed, after getting everyone in position, to then find out that your camera batteries have run out? Guaranteed to frustrate your subjects if they have to wait while you do something you should have done earlier!
2. Choose the location
Give some thought to why everyone is gathered together before you decide where to take your shots. Is it a wedding? Well positioning the happy couple and their guests with the church in the background is an obvious choice.
But would a cricket team look right in front on the same church? Of course it wouldn't! They would look much more at home with the club house behind them or the cricket pitch.
A class of students would look equally at home outside the school building or in a classroom environment. Think about which would suit the purpose of the shot best. Its also a good idea to be mindful of the weather when taking group photos outside. If its cold, you are more likely to get grimaces and chattering teeth than smiles!
While we are discussing locations keep an eye on that background. We've all seen shots where a telegraph pole or tree seems to be growing out of the top of someone's head haven't we?
Also try not to include anything in the background that could cause unwanted reflections or glare. Windows, metallic objects or water can all cause problems if the sun shines on them just as you press the shutter.
3. Posing the group
With many people in the picture you won't get the chance to pose each one individually, but you can gently direct them. When taking group photos it is common to position the taller people at the back so that everyone is visible.
But you don't have to stick with this. Be creative!
Sit some of the 6 footers on a chair or even the floor. Let the youngsters tower over their parents by standing behind the seated adults.
Or you could even get the children to kneel down behind the grown ups and peer through the forest of legs.
Something a bit different will get a second glance when you show off the pictures later, and the subjects might even find the photo session fun, rather than boring. Fun photo sessions equals better expressions in the shots. A win-win situation.
If it is appropriate give the group some props to hold or lean on. It gives them something to do and helps them relax. Your cricket team could hold their bats, or the cup they have just won. In the family photo of the four generations the baby will probably be a perfect prop!
Now a group could consist of just two or three people or it might mean the whole cast of a pantomime!
The more people you try to get in one photo the more chance that someone will let the group down by frowning, blinking or looking away from the camera at the exact moment you take the picture!
So take more than one shot. It can be a good idea to set you camera in continuous shooting mode so that when you press the shutter you take a number of shots before taking the camera away from your face.
The first shot may result in stiff, forced smiles, but once they think the picture is in the bag, the group are likely to relax a bit and the follow up shots might be much better. However, if you then have to reframe the shot and snap again you may be too late! Get more than one shot before they start moving away.
I always try to avoid flash when taking group photos as it is obvious when the shot has been taken. Also, if you are photographing large groups, the chances are that the flash won't light them all evenly anyway.
4. Talking of lighting
Try to avoid standing with the sun directly behind you. As the subjects look at the camera they will squint as the sun gets in their eyes.
If it is a bright sunny day try to stand the group in some natural shade or have the sun slightly to one side.
Soft, even lighting will give the best results. It avoids one person causing a shadow on the person next to him. It is also less likely to cause hot spots on people wearing glasses.
5. Use different focal lengths
Use your zoom lens to get shots from different focal lengths. Stand close and set the zoom to a wide angle to ensure you get everyone in the shot.
Or stand a long way away and use the longer end of your zoom to compress the distance and make everyone seem to be on the same plane.
You could even elevate yourself and take a picture of the group from above! Try standing on a ladder or on a natural hillock and looking down on the group, using that wide angle again. Depending on the focal length of your lens the picture may be distorted making the faces look larger in the shot and their bodies and legs smaller. An interesting effect as long as it isn't taken to extremes.
I hope these tips help you when you are next taking group photos. Have fun!
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