On Fri, 16 Feb 2001, Bob Meyer wrote:
> Put the camera on a tripod. Sharpness is going to be
> a big enough issue without having to worry about
> camera shake.
Very true. Plus it's easier to manage everything when you don't have to
worry about holding the camera... sounds strange, but at least with macro
shots it's very true. After everything else is perfect, you just shoot the
picture... no aiming, no anything anymore. Set the camera ready
(aperture, speed, focus, flash), then wait for the people to get ready,
and then just shoot (and bracket exposure if not entirely sure).
> Spot (or partial) meter. You don't want a dark or
> light background (or reflective--even worse)
> background biasing your exposure. Use FEL if your
> body has it, or bracket.
There will be so many people, that I don't think there is any use in
trying to do spot metering. Evaluative or center weighted should be ok for
that many people. And yes, bracket your exposure! But you need to think
about this a bit as you are shooting with flashes... is flash bracketing
enough?
About the people... I'd arrange them a bit sideways. Not straight ahead
with shoulders to shoulders.
> You absolutely need to visit the location prior to the
Yes. Do this. You will not be sorry. If you don't... you will regret it
when you try to do the shoot.
> event, to figure out where you can arrange the
> subjects. Measure a few people standing side by side,
> and esimate how much room you'll need. Figure out
> where you'll have to stand to cover that much space,
> and where you can put your lights.
[skip]
> Back to equipment: when you're visiting the location
> beforehand, figure out what focal length you'll need
> to shoot (stay as close to the middle ranges of the
> zoom range as you can).
This is also a good advice. And try not to use very wide angles as you
might get some distortions... of course you might need to use a very wide
angle depending on the situation.
> Use DEP mode to figure out
> what aperture you'll need for adequate DOF. Shoot a
And then if possible (exposure, flash?) stop down from that a bit too just
to be sure to get enough of DOF (not just adequate).
> within the frame, and check out the evenness of the
> lighting. And make sure the remote flashes are
> triggered in the position you want to place them.
And take some photos while you are there. Figure everything out before
hand, before the checking the place so that you don't have to try to
remember everything that you need to test. Have a well thought out list of
what you are going to do, then do it, get the results and see what is the
best way to do things at the real event. Also check the eveness of the
lighting from the pictures (shooting the scene without all the people
might help you position the flashes so that they really do cover
everybody). And the flash vs. ambient exposure.
> Don't have the subjects get in position until you've
> got everything else set up. Make sure you have an
> assitant who can help get peoples attention, tell them
> where to go, etc.
This again is very good advice.
About the films, some have suggested Portra 400 and even ISO 800 film. I
think that the 800 film is out for this kind of thing - you just don't get
enough resolution. I'd rather try the Portra 160. But even though you are
shooting from a tripod and using 2 flashes (try to borrow some more...),
if that is too slow (as you should also use smaller aperture, at least f8
- without knowing the situation) then go for the Portra 400. The film
speed is something that you need to check at the location also before the
happening.
Good luck!! I'm sure that with good planning you can get good photos out
of it - even if they are not the best and can not rival large format
photos.
Best regards,
Hugo.
************************************************************
** Hugo Gävert **
** [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.hut.fi/~hugo **
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