Lighting for Group Shot

dbruno

I have a group shot of 12 people coming up. I was planning to use two 43" reflective umbrellas with Speedlights set to either side of me. For some reason, I'm starting to doubt my use of umbrellas (it's in my head, not sure why). I have a 36" octa soft box, and was wondering if this would be enough light using a bare-bulb Godox AD200. Any thoughts?

Thanks - Dave

Neil vN

I'd say that you should stay with the two umbrellas. They would give you larger light sources than the octabox. 

dbruno

Thanks, Neil. I was getting ready to set the octabox up and use my meter to measure the light levels 5 feet to either side. I'll take your advice and leave this experiment for "when I have more time".

CanonJay

Two umbrella's handle everything!

dbruno

OK, Jay, you can't get away that easily! How big were the umbrellas, what did you have for lighting, and how much post processing?

Nice result, BTW.

Dave

CanonJay

Hi Dave,

Too funny. I used two Battery powered  Interfit S1's on stands with standard "glow" brand umbrellas. Fuji X series cameras and executive parking:) 

-Jay

CanonJay

Have no clue why the previous photo didn't rotate but that was just prior to setting up. Here is a straight out of camera jpg. I shoot raw + jpg. for comparison. I was shooting on a ladder between the two lights. They are directly to the left and right of me. Hope that helps. 

dbruno

Thanks, Jay. Really good straight out of the camera!

Trev

Nice work Jay. Damn, that's one big-arsed crowd if you had to put them onto a 'class' form with all the names...

Trev

CanonJay

Thanks Trev. The hardest part of course is getting everyone lined up. No particular order. Just squeeze in and cross your fingers. I had to add benches that were lined up on the side for the first row to be seated. All in All I am happy with how it turned out. When you deal with this many people its hard to contain their excitement. No forms. These were added to graduation packages for when they received their diplomas. so basically they will purchase the picture of themselves getting handed a diploma and a group shot all uploaded to a site for viewing and buying. 

-Jay

Neil vN

That looks very good, especially for such a crowd.  Well done! 

CanonJay

Thanks Neil! Much appreciated.