1 picture – 800 subjects
Group shots are most photographers’ worst nightmare: blinkers, hard to find large uncluttered backgrounds, difficult to light, hard to be creative and the attention span of a group can only be measured in nanoseconds. So what do you do when one of your best client asks you to do a groups shot of 800 people in a dark conference room (think, 1/30th at f2.8 and iso 3200)?
Well, you just breath in and out a few times and then start thinking, scouting, testing and working with the client to find a solution. I know I’m a bit geeky about technique and light, but that’s because I also know that this basic knowledge will allow you to find a solution for just about every problem. And I strongly believe that a good picture can be made anywhere, anytime, if you just look hard enough.
Here is a quickly shot video about how we handled the shot above:
And here’s the YouTube version.
I used to be one of those many photographers who started sweating and trembling when they words “group” and “picture” were mentioned in the same phrase. But these days I actually like the challenge of it.
A big thanks to the client for the perfect cooperation and to Ake and Stijn to be perfect assistants.
Very cool video. Nice to see how you got prepared for this groupshot.
More videos to the people.
/Daniel
Bert, as usual great stuff! It´s sooo helpfull to see and learn your simple techniques and approaches to great usefull stuff
Thanks and keep up the good work
Groet Vincent
http://www.holandaluz.com
Great video and tutorial.
thanks
Giampiero (Rome, Italy)
Very nice. Was fighting a little to adjust a groupshot recently so can’t agree more on the importance of :
1. preparation (failing to plan is…)
2. light feathering
3. the light meter.
Great job again Bert !
[...] Photographer Bert Stephani recently posted a great blurb on his blog, Confessions of a Photographer, about a large group shot (800+ people) in a poorly lit [...]
Wow, that’s awesome. Great job. I’m at work and don’t know if there is sound on the video, but I’m very curious about the bricks in the bag.
Nice post on it on strobist.com, too.
Hi there.
Just stopping by to welcome you and congratulate you for your wonderful work.
What i wouldn’t give to have a masterclass with you.
Cheers,
from Portugal
You handle things like a true professional photographer. Looks like thorough preparation really paid off.
Great photo, congratulations on figuring out the setup and the lighting. This really did seem like a challenge.
And I thought it was hard to keep the attention of a wedding party. Nice work!
I thought a family portrait of 15 was maddening. Great job.
Bert your work is always great! Keep it up
San Diego Photographers
Hi Bert,
Good job and i like our videos. Keep on the good work!!
In dutch:
GOED GEDAAN JONGEN!!
Saw the video. Looked like a lot of preparation, but I felt the photo lost some of the ambiance of the room. This might be a minor issue though, because at least the photo turned out well.
Hey Bert,
Your xpose.be/blog website seems to be down (’site is suspended’). Did I miss anything, or have you forgotten to pay for it?
Best!
Thx everyone
@Sndr: I’m having some problems with the hosting company but no time to fix them right now.
Wow, that’s great!
Like Sndr, I just found out your other website was suspended, winters are my “not reading blogs” periods so I was a bit shocked. Luckily you’re still on here..!
its is very information site
Remarkable job for two lights, hats off to you Bert!!
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Really liked your advice on this shoot, I couldn’t imagine shooting a group shot so big, but you showed how it’s done. The video was a nice touch too,