Group Portraits
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Transcript of Group Portraits
Group Portraits
How to - Tips & Tricks
By Mike Giovinazzo
© All rights Reserved
Getting Started
People don’t like to be kept waiting so think ahead about some of the following aspects of your photo: ◦ scope out the location of your shot before hand◦ think ahead about how you will pose people and
frame your shot◦ make sure your camera and flash are ready and
on, plus batteries are charged … ◦ make sure everyone you want in the shot knows
you want them a few minutes ahead of time
Prepare
Location provides context◦ Eg shot of a sporting team on their playing field
Consider distractions ◦ Choose a position where your group will fit, ◦ Where there is enough light for the shot ◦ Few distractions in the background◦ Avoid setting up in front of a window:
flash might reflect back
Location Selection
Avoid the problems of not everyone looking just right
Consider continuous shooting mode ◦ Find first shot is often no good but that the one or
two directly after it often give a group that looks a little less posed and more relaxed.
Mix up the framing of your shots a little ◦ Zoom: use wide focal length and some tighter
Take Multiple Shots
Fill the frame◦ Try to get as close as you can
(without cutting some members out of course)◦ The closer you can get the more detail you’ll have
in their faces – something that really lifts a shot a lot.
BUT … allow for standard crop ratios◦ 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 or 8 x 10
Get in Close
4 x 6 5 x 7.5 8 x 12
Tripods communicate you’re serious
Can help you get their attention
Gives you more freedom to be involved in the creation of the posing of your subjects.
Permits for a cable release … less closed eyes
Use a Tripod
Especially with large groups an assistant can be very handy to get the group organized
Also incredibly handy if you are taking multiple group shots
Can ensure you have everyone needed in each shot.
Can intervene to place hair, straighten ties, adjust a gown …
Consider an Assistant
Posing Details
Photographers can lose control by not communicating with their subjects◦ let them know what you want them to do◦ tell them that they look great and ◦ how much longer you’ll need them ◦ motivate them to smile and be engaged◦ keep people feeling relaxed and having fun
‘If you can see the camera it can see you’. ◦ Very useful for mirrors
Take Control
The first simple step toward improving your family portraits is to have people TURN.◦ They say “Cameras add 10 pounds” … where the
subject's body is straight on One shoulder closer to the camera than the
other, creates a more interesting image, and makes your subjects look slimmer.◦ the subject's head is no longer squared off with the
shoulders. With the subject's body is angled, they must
turn their head to look at the camera ◦ result is a more appealing
Make Angles
When you're posing a group for a family portrait, try to arrange the heads of your subjects so that they form triangles.
Geometric shapes like triangles create photos that have more visual appeal.
Placing your family into a tight-knit triangle also brings the group together, which creates less empty "dead" space between each person's body.
Have more than three family members?◦ Just create sub-groups of triangles until you've got
everyone properly arranged.
Think Triangles
Start with one person/couple as the base or middle of the pyramid
Arrange the rest around the base to form a large triangular shape. ◦ Use chairs, step stools or other props to help you
naturally create a triangular shape.◦ Direct contact such as hands on shoulders conveys
closeness.
With on camera flash, people in the back rows need to be a FULL head taller than people in front
Consider a Pyramid
So simple … have them tilt their heads together.◦ The mere act of tilting heads ensures that every
person's body is not straight up and down. It also creates an immediate feeling of
intimacy.◦ Helps make them part of the group
Heads just a fraction of an inch closer, makes family portrait comes together◦ doesn't look like a group of strangers all standing
next to each other
Tilt Heads
Make your family portraits more engaging and interesting by having some people sit and others stand
Keeping in mind the triangles ◦ find natural locations - park bench, large boulder
Works well for photos of grandparents and kids◦ Grandparents can sit down and be comfortable
while the children can be wrangled into position around them
◦ Should offer a nice juxtaposition of age and youth
Sit and Stand
Hands create all sorts of problems when you're trying to pose for family portraits.◦ Most people can't decide what to do with them◦ Hands can add a lot of visual clutter
The simplest solution then is to have people put their hands in positions that effectively hide them from view.◦ Have men fold their arms◦ Women can place them in their laps◦ Pockets are a great solution for kids of all ages◦ If showing: just see the edge; fingers extended
Hide Those Hands
Another way of reflecting the closeness of a parent and child is to have them look at each other or a common point◦ Direct eye contact conveys familiarity and bonding◦ Both looking at some common point conveys a
shared interest
Infants: schedule the shot for when the baby is normally sleeping. ◦ Have one adult hold the baby below chest level and
look down at the baby in a caring manner. ◦ Take shots at several different angles.
Posing One Adult and One Child
Groups may pose themselves naturally ◦ we’ve all done it before - Tall people will go to the back …
If event is centered around one or two people (wedding, birthday) make them the central focal point by putting them right in the middle of the group◦ Variation: everyone looking at the camera at the
person/couple Larger Groups
◦ Put taller members not only towards the back of the group but centered with shorter people on the edges of the group
◦ Do not make the group too ‘deep’ (keep everyone in focus)◦ Tell everyone to raise their chins a little – avoids double chins
Posing a Larger Groups
Lighting and Props
To get detail you need sufficient light◦ varies from situation to situation ◦ consider using a flash
especially if the main source of light is coming from behind the group.
On bright sunny day with the sun low:avoid positioning it directly behind you or you’ll end up with a collection of squinting faces in your shot.
Think about Lighting
Avoid having one person’s shadow fall onto important details of another person
Easiest option is to get the light to shine or bounce onto the faces of your subjects
If indoors using ambient or natural light, make sure the light is hitting everyone evenly◦ “Butterfly Lighting” is attractive
Keep studio lights a bit further away ◦ Help to make the light fall off is more even
Light the Whole Group Evenly
Aim for “Storybook Portraits.” ◦ A shared activity which can incorporate a book,
a favorite toy, etc. Have them all look at each other.
◦ For babies, have one family member get the baby’s attention and everyone else look at the baby.
Plan an event◦ E.g. Take families to the beach and bring along
some bread. Feeding the ducks becomes the perfect storybook alternative.
Let Them Tell You a Story
Props help subjects use their hands
They add a visual element
Can be used to tell a story
Useful ideas for families◦ Balloons, balls◦ Dolls, Toys, Books ◦ Scarfs, blankets◦ Stuffed animals◦ Bubbles
“Prop” up your images
Yes YOU should smile!
Have fun and enjoy the process of getting your shots
Relax
Thank You