Neve used any of Gary Fongs products so can't speak from experience but personally if possible i would set up a speedlite off camera in a 60" umbrella and fly it over camera position. F2.8 does seem shallow but it also depends on your distance and focal length. You can cover a group shot at F4 with a wide lens and if you back off a little.
He seems to have the 35mm L there (f/1.4). f/2.8 is 2 stops down (which is usually at optimal resolution).
He also said that he's about 20 ft away. Using a 35mm at 20 ft. away with f/2.8 means he has an on-focus distance from about 15 ft-35 ft. If what his statement about the subjects being 20 ft away is correct, he has around 3-5 ft. of focus between his subjects. Considering there's only one row, f/2.8 should be sufficient. I would have used another 1/3 down for safety though.
you need to be shooting F5.6 if you have a F2.8 Lens.. you should be able to get a nice even focus on small groups.. however big groups should need at least F8 then you wont have a problem
@springerencarta Almost no body shoots with F8 at a group ESPECIALLY indoor with limited light. Unless you have external flashes surrounding the group.
@jackies35 Each person in a group will be probably be at a slightly different distance, so your f/stop must have enough depth of field (DOF) to keep them all sharp. Some cameras let you set the DOF, and most SLR's today have a DOF preview button. Lacking those, you could use the smallest aperture that allows a proper exposure. You can take test shots to find an appropriate f/stop, but remember DOF will change with f/stop, lens length and distance from the subject, so you have to be consistent.
@gcukurova He's shooting at f/2.8 and ISO 800 (which, contrary to what he says, is NOT noiseless) because he loses so much light using the Lightsphere that way.
Bounce flash should be angled so that it bounces toward subjects not straight up back to you the photographer, think of it as shooting pool.
mannymack 2 months ago
Neve used any of Gary Fongs products so can't speak from experience but personally if possible i would set up a speedlite off camera in a 60" umbrella and fly it over camera position. F2.8 does seem shallow but it also depends on your distance and focal length. You can cover a group shot at F4 with a wide lens and if you back off a little.
rickjbradbury 3 months ago
shooting groups of people at f2.8?
extacci 7 months ago 9
@extacci why not? As he back away, I'm sure all his focus points are on target. The 5d mk ii that he is using has 45 af points if i'm not wrong.
chinaman168 3 months ago
@chinaman168 you get a shallow depth of field when using an aperture of 2.8. I'm pretty sure that some of the faces are not in focus.
extacci 3 months ago
what if u use the Gary Fong origami?
i want to buy those lightsphere but I think it looks strange, like a tupperware. haha
DVL1507 8 months ago
He seems to have the 35mm L there (f/1.4). f/2.8 is 2 stops down (which is usually at optimal resolution).
He also said that he's about 20 ft away. Using a 35mm at 20 ft. away with f/2.8 means he has an on-focus distance from about 15 ft-35 ft. If what his statement about the subjects being 20 ft away is correct, he has around 3-5 ft. of focus between his subjects. Considering there's only one row, f/2.8 should be sufficient. I would have used another 1/3 down for safety though.
elau89 11 months ago
you need to be shooting F5.6 if you have a F2.8 Lens.. you should be able to get a nice even focus on small groups.. however big groups should need at least F8 then you wont have a problem
springerencarta 1 year ago 3
@springerencarta Almost no body shoots with F8 at a group ESPECIALLY indoor with limited light. Unless you have external flashes surrounding the group.
chinaman168 3 months ago
Thank you so much for this information. I am learning as I go.
I love practicing with kids. Wish me luck! Thanks again.
jackies35 1 year ago
you are shooting a group that size at f/2.8? How come?
gcukurova 1 year ago
@gcukurova Hey! What setting should he use? f/4? f/5.6?
I am shooting group shoots in a couple of weeks. Thanks!
jackies35 1 year ago
@jackies35 Each person in a group will be probably be at a slightly different distance, so your f/stop must have enough depth of field (DOF) to keep them all sharp. Some cameras let you set the DOF, and most SLR's today have a DOF preview button. Lacking those, you could use the smallest aperture that allows a proper exposure. You can take test shots to find an appropriate f/stop, but remember DOF will change with f/stop, lens length and distance from the subject, so you have to be consistent.
barbarydoll 1 year ago
@gcukurova He's shooting at f/2.8 and ISO 800 (which, contrary to what he says, is NOT noiseless) because he loses so much light using the Lightsphere that way.
188moon 1 year ago
nice demonstration thanks!
kzrick188 1 year ago