Group Photos with the Lightsphere

by Gary Fong

Category:

Education

Tags:

• flash photography
• photography
• lighting
• diffuser
• diffusers
• digital camera
• camera
• cameras
• photography education

[extacci]

shooting groups of people at f2.8?

[springerencarta]

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

[mannymack]

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.

[rickjbradbury]

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.

[extacci]

@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.

[chinaman168]

@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]

@springerencarta Almost no body shoots with F8 at a group ESPECIALLY indoor with limited light. Unless you have external flashes surrounding the group.

[DVL1507]

what if u use the Gary Fong origami?

i want to buy those lightsphere but I think it looks strange, like a tupperware. haha

[elau89]

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.

[jackies35]

Thank you so much for this information. I am learning as I go.

I love practicing with kids. Wish me luck! Thanks again.