How to shoot a softball team (RFH)

[AzRich]

RFH- Request for help :)

I did a quick search for 'group' to see if anyone has posted this and didn't see it.

A friend of mine has requested a team shot of about 13 people. From the team shots I've seen, most have the sun at their backs off to one side. I'm assuming a flash was used for fill light. I have 2 SB800s, but never used them at the same time.

Any help out there? The shot is scheduled for monday. Gasp.

Thanx in advance,

[Gil]

I may have some contributing ideas since I did childrens softbal team shots and individual shots 11 years ago.
We had a huge canopy tent where we could fit up to 16 big kids. This tent/canopy had no sides. Only a white top which was propped higher than original manufacturer designed it to allow extra head room. We then woud place 6 players on their kneww on front (standing, not sitting on their knees) and the other 8 players behind them straddling the legs of the players on their knees and the two coaces one on each side.
We could see straight out of the canopy so it would give the impresion that there ware not confined but we had the advantage of the tent top to soften the light and prevent blow outs of light. We shot with a flash spot metering fopr the subject and fill light 1/2 stop under. It worked pretty darn well. years later I had a similar request for group shots where I did it on my own. I also had some back light which created a huge problem glaring and washing out detail in the top of heads and shoulders. I wish I have had at least two beach umbrellas to stratigicly position them behind the subjects not seen and avoid hars back light.
I hope I was able to make some contribution.
One more thing. the camera lens was positioned between the the bottom and top row of heads. Which with adults would be about 4 feet from the ground. never shoot with too much wide angle to avoid drastic head scale size difference, I rather back uo than go too wide if possible.



Best Regards,


gil

[BadpicKev]

why cany you just spin them around so the sun is at your back?

[AzRich]

Thanx Gil, your experience will help me. I'll position the camera around the head height as you suggested. I shouldn't have to go too wide, it's only 13 people. I'll probably use the 17-55.

Kev- I don't know why, but it just seems most outside people shots like this have the sun off to one side, and at their back. Maybe it's to get people to open their eyes more. Also there may be harsh shadows otherwise. I'll do a few bracketed exposures.

[rhbourbonnais]

One trick is to position the sun at the back, so that people aren't squinting and then use fill flash to illuminate their faces.

Robin

[AzRich]

One trick is to position the sun at the back, so that people aren't squinting and then use fill flash to illuminate their faces.

Robin

Thanx Robin,

I figured that was why I always see them with the sun at their backs, or off to the sides. The shoot went well, and I'm happy with the conversions. This is one instance where perfectly clear in Bibble worked REALLY well.

Thanx all for the help. A little flash puts the sparkle in their eyes too.