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Group Photography Guide Version: 120415

Group Photography Guide - WordPress.com… ·  · 2015-12-04Group Photography Guide ... Group Posing Formats pg. 1-4 Group Posing Guidelines pg. 4-8 Photography Guidelines: Outdoor

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Group Photography

Guide

Version: 120415

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Group Posing Formats pg. 1-4 Group Posing Guidelines pg. 4-8 Photography Guidelines: Outdoor pg. 8-9 Outdoor Group Photography Cheat Cards pg. 10 Photography Guidelines: Indoor pg. 11 Photography Guidelines: Chroma-Key pg. 12 Group Images & Cropping pg. 13-14 Group Posing Examples pg. 15-16

GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

IMPORTANT: GROUPS MUST BE POSED IN A RECTANGULAR-HORIZONTAL FORMAT. DOING SO WILL FILL THE FRAME WITH THE GROUP AND ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY DEAD SPACE. Dead Space: Empty or unused space within an image. It can also be referred to as “Wasted Space”. In relation to group photography, dead space does nothing for the overall image. IMPORTANT: The MORE dead space in a group image, the smaller the subjects will be. The LESS dead space in an image, the larger the subjects will be. Group Photography Goal: Eliminate as much dead space as possible, thus increasing and maximizing the size of the subjects in the image.

THREE GROUP POSING FORMATS:

1. Rectangular-Horizontal: This is the goal when executing group photography. This format will be the most effective in eliminating dead space.

2. Rectangular-Vertical: Avoid this format when executing group photography. Since all group products are horizontal only products, this format will automatically produce an excessive amount of dead space in the image.

3. Square: Avoid this format when executing group photography. This format could potentially produce an excessive amount of dead space in the image, regardless of whether framed vertically or horizontally. However, not quite as severe as when the “Rectangular-Vertical” format is utilized.

Rectangular-Horizontal Format:

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Rectangular-Vertical Format: Square Format:

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HOW TO ACHIEVE A TRUE “RECTANGULAR-HORIZONTAL” FORMAT:

1. Line subjects up from shortest to tallest. 2. Pose the shorter subjects in front and taller subjects in back. 3. When posing, keep the rectangle shape in mind. Pose the rows “wider” rather than

“taller”. (for example: this may mean having just 2 rows instead of 3 rows) 4. When dealing with younger/shorter subjects and taller coaches, kneel the coaches as

opposed to standing them.

5. Pose some of the coaches on the ends of the row if possible, instead of solely behind the row/in between subjects. This will “widen” the group and help achieve the “rectangular-Horizontal” format. (note: this may not always be possible in some cases)

6. Goal is to obtain a group pose where the composition is clean, consistent and symmetrical. Utilizing posing markers on the ground for the front row placement will greatly assist in this goal. (Must be removed before taking photo)

IMPORTANT: Be sure to leave enough room on the ends of the image so that nothing important is cut off in the event the customer orders a product with an 8x10 crop ratio. Utilizing the in-camera crop mask will greatly assist in achieving this goal.

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IMPORTANT: Be careful not to build the group TOO wide. This will produce an excessive amount of space on the top and bottom of the image.

GENERAL GROUP POSING GUIDELINES:

1. Staff accordingly:

The group photographer MAY need an assistant to help pose and assist in the general group station workflow. If working with a tight schedule, this could be crucial in staying on schedule and producing well composed group photos.

The group photographer MUST be able to take control of the group. Always staff the group station with someone who has a stronger personality. Someone who doesn’t have a problem giving orders and commanding attention. Not all photographers will be well suited for this position.

2. Utilize bullhorn or sound system if necessary when dealing with large groups (football, swim, etc)

3. Utilize TSS group posing “Cheat Cards” if necessary. These can be found on the BizHub

in the following location: BizHub/Library/Photography/Photography Cheat Cards

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4. Utilize posing benches and/or posing risers if possible:

The posing benches can be utilized on smaller groups as well as larger groups.

The posing risers are traditionally utilized with larger groups.

Utilizing posing benches and risers can create and provide a consistent, symmetrical look to your group photos.

Utilizing posing benches and risers can make posing groups much quicker, much easier and much more efficient.

Posing Benches and risers can be purchased from the following vendor: GPS Risers (www.gpsrisers.com)

Group Posing Guides (Cheat Cards)

Photography cheat cards can be found in the following location: BizHub/Library/Photography/Photography Cheat Cards

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A six foot, plastic, foldable picnic bench can also be used. This is a more cost effective alternative to the aluminum benches. They can be purchased from Walmart, and range in price from $29 to $49 dollars.

Posing Benches Posing Risers

Effective Use of Posing Benches and Posing Risers

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5. Avoid photographing groups at an “upward” angle/perspective.

This often times occurs with football teams when they are posed in the stands/bleachers and the photographer is at lower angle/perspective than the team.

When photographing a football team in the stands/bleachers, the angle/perspective MUST be close to “even” with the team. Failure to do so will result in a skewed perspective. The subjects in the back row will seem unusually small and/or you will be unable able to see them altogether.

NOTE: Photographing the group at a “downward” angle/perspective can produce a much more desirable result. This can be easily accomplished by utilizing a ladder or stepladder.

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6. Utilize a dedicated group camera station if possible.

This will increase the efficiency in which you will be able to photograph the groups.

This will also allow you to staff the group camera station with the most suitable group photographer. Not all photographers have the personality to photograph groups. It takes a strong personality to do so. Someone who is comfortable taking charge and giving orders.

PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDELINES: OUTDOOR

1. Compose the group with the sun behind or to one side. a. This will help minimize harsh lighting on the subjects. b. This will also minimize or eliminate the subjects squinting. c. Be very cautious when photographing in the direction of the sun. This could

potentially cause sun-flare if not done correctly. d. Sun-flare can cause an image to be unsellable/unusable. e. ALWAYS check for sun-flare before taking the picture. This can be difficult to see

if you are not used to looking for it. Take your hand and simply shade the top of the lens. If sun-flare is present, you will see a noticeable difference once the lens is shaded.

f. To eliminate sun-flare if present: Raise the camera and shoot at a downward angle. Also, shade the top of the lens to help eliminate any remaining sun-flare. Make sure that whatever you are using to shade the lens is NOT showing up in the image.

2. Use a lighting setup that is powerful enough to properly expose the group image.

a. An on-camera/dedicated flash will NOT be powerful enough to properly expose the group image. (such as an SB 800, SB900, SB910, etc)

b. The recommended flash for group photography is an Alien Bee B800, by Paul C. Buff Industries. This flash has a maximum light output of 320 Watt Seconds, and is powerful enough to properly expose most standard TSS groups (From 1 to 40 subjects). It is also recommended to use this flash in conjunction with the Vagabond portable battery system.

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c. The Alien Bee B800 is 4 to 5 times more powerful than the standard on-camera/dedicated flash, thus greatly increasing your ability to expose the group image properly.

d. No umbrella is needed/required when utilizing the Alien Bee B800, just the silver reflector.

e. Both the Alien Bee B800 and the Vagabond portable battery can be purchased from Paul C. Buff Industries: www.paulcbuff.com

3. Manual flash photography is recommended when photographing groups.

a. This gives you more control over the exposure process. b. This will also produce a more consistently exposed image. c. When utilizing manual flash photography, the distance between the flash and the front

row of the group MUST remain consistent. Failure to do so could result in an overexposed or an underexposed image.

d. The process to gain a properly exposed image utilizing manual flash photography is the same as when executing individual manual flash photography. For specifics, please refer to the “Outdoor Photography Guide” located on the BizHub: BizHub/Library/Photography/Manuals and Guides/Outdoor Photography Guide

i. Identify the Hot Spot ii. Meter the Hot Spot

iii. Control the Hot Spot iv. Compliment the Hot Spot

e. The flash is to be centered on the group as much as possible. This is usually right next to the camera, as the camera should also be placed directly in the center of the group.

4. Two lights are recommend for larger groups (41 subjects or more).

a. This will provide a more even exposure across the entire range of the image. b. Lights should be placed at even intervals. This will provide even lighting across the entire

group. c. The process to gain a properly exposed image utilizing manual flash photography with 2

lights, is the same as when executing individual manual flash photography with 1 light. For specifics, please refer to the “Outdoor Photography Guide” located on the BizHub: BizHub/Library/Photography/Manuals and Guides/Outdoor Photography Guide

i. Identify the Hot Spot ii. Meter the Hot Spot

iii. Control the Hot Spot iv. Compliment the Hot Spot

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OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY CHEAT CARDS

Photography cheat cards can be found in the following location: BizHub/Library/Photography/Photography Cheat Cards

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PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDELINES: INDOOR

1. Utilize the “Standard Group Photography” guidelines for most indoor group photos (Guidelines are the same both for standard photography and for chroma-key photography)

a. Shutter Speed: 125 b. ISO: 400 c. F/Stop: F/8 d. “Flash” White Balance e. 1 Light utilizing a minimum 60 inch white umbrella (with black backing) f. Bottom of umbrella is 5 to 6 feet from floor, angled down towards group g. Back row should be no closer than 4 feet from the background. This will help

minimize shadowing on the background h. Photographer is positioned 12 feet from the BACK row marker i. Light is positioned directly behind photographer

Photography cheat cards can be found in the following location: BizHub/Library/Photography/Photography Cheat Cards

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PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDELINES: CHROMA-KEY

1. Utilize the “Chroma-Key Group Photography” guidelines for all indoor chroma-key group photos. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the chroma-Key training manual.

a. Shutter Speed: 125 b. ISO: 400 c. F/Stop: F/8 d. “Flash” White Balance e. 1 Light utilizing a minimum 60 inch white umbrella (with black backing) f. Bottom of umbrella is 5 to 6 feet from floor, angled down towards group g. Back row should be no closer than 4 feet from the background. This will help

minimize shadowing on the background h. Photographer is positioned 12 feet from the BACK row marker i. Light is positioned directly behind photographer

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IMPORTANT: What Ratio Should Your Group Images be Cropped Too? 4x6 (2:3), 5x7 or 8x10 (4:5)? Group images can be cropped to any aforementioned ratio, AS LONG AS ENOUGH DEAD SPACE HAS BEEN “BUILT” INTO THE IMAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL CROP RATIOS (4x6, 5x7 & 8x10). If the group image is cropped to an 8x10 crop ratio: This crop ratio will work well for all products that have an 8x10 crop ratio. The group image will be cut off however on the “long” sides of the image if a product is ordered that contains a 4x6 or 5x7 crop ratio.

If the group image is cropped to an 5x7 crop ratio: This crop ratio will work well for all products that have a 5x7 crop ratio. The group image will be cut off however on the “short” sides of the image if a product is ordered that contains an 8x10 crop ratio. It will also be cut off slightly on the “long” sides of the image if a product is ordered that contains a 4x6 crop ratio.

GROUP IMAGES AND CROPPING:

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If the group image is cropped to a 4x6 crop ratio: This crop ratio will work well for all products that have a 4x6 crop ratio. The group image will be cut off however on the “short” sides of the image if a product is ordered that contains an 8x10 OR a 5x7 crop ratio.

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Group Posing Examples

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