Large group shot on the beach

Hi all,

 

I will be photographing my first wedding in December in New Zealand

for some friends of mine. They has asked me to photograph all the

guests in a large group shot after the ceremony/"mini-reception" --

everything will be fairly casual -- after the ceremony there will be

some drinks and mingling going on, and then formal photos will

start. I will shoot most of the wedding with 35mm SLRs (all film)

but I do have some medium format TLR's that I planned on using for

the groups and formals (the couple are aware of my equipment). I do

have one flash (SB-28) -- I already know people are going to

say "bring a back-up!" but at this stage that's not likely to

happen; besides, as far as I (don't) know, I can't use it on my

autocord. I'm in Canada, and will travelling to NZ -- I am very

limited in terms of the amount of equipment I can take, since most

of it will be carry-on onto the plane (which will include all the

film I need).

 

Anyway...here is some more information concerning the shot:

 

The beach faces west so if we're lucky we'll have a nice sunset but

at that time of year on the west coast of NZ it tends to rain a lot

(in which case the large group shot will not be an issue). At best

there will be sun (photos will probably occur between 430-530 pm) at

worst it will overcast and threatening to rain. I've only seen

pictures of the coast (which I'll post below)and I was thinking that

the only way this could possibly work is if:

 

1. the sun is shining

2. I can get the group to set themselves up using the natural slope

of the land (younger, fitter people near the top, older folks at

ground level) since there will be little or no chairs/benches (at

least, not that I know of). They will face the setting sun.

3. I get myself as high as possible with the sun (!) behind me and

take the photo with medium formal film and/or with the 35 and flash

(not that I think one flash could illuminate 100 people).

 

What do you think? Honestly, I don't think it can work, but I don't

want to give the idea up entirely without asking first. My other

thought on the situation was to break "the group" into smaller

groups (10-15 people) and shoot the B&G with each group of people

(the bride's brother will be assisting me the entire wedding, esp.

in terms of rounding up people). That's not exactly ideal either,

but other than not doing any group photos (other than family photos

for formals) I'm really out of ideas. This is something that I know

the B&G really want, but at the same time if I tell them good

reasons why it won't work, I'm sure they'll be fine with it

(although disappointed). Of course, a lot will depend on the weather

and me scouting the location properly once I'm there, but I'd like

to have a better idea of what I'm up against.

 

I've already learned so much from this forum but I would appreciate

any further advice people have for me. I have many other questions

(so bear with me) but I'm trying to tackle one problem at a time.

Thanks.<div></div>

If *no rain* is the condition, you can try using 'a tripod' and slow-sync flash for the large group shot. It should be able to mix the back-ground light and give the effect of fill-flash on the beach. You will want to expose for the 'people' and let the sun do its thing (because if you expose for the sun, the people will be more-like a silhouette in your images.)

 

 

 

If you are going by air, you may think of leaving behind the 2-1/4 unless you have a decent flash for the camera. Less weight and less to worry over.

The sun should be at their back not yours. If they face the sun they will squint and scrunch

up their faces. Plus, you'll throw a shadow into the shot.

 

Take a ladder with you and get up high shooting down on them. That way you can use a

slightly wider lens and get the DOF you'll need. I'd shoot with the 2/1.4 camera for stuff like

this. More detail for enlargement.

If you're going to all be there during sunset, there is a small window of time just after the sun actually sets that is marvelous for photography. There is still enough light for decent apertures and shutter speeds with fast film, nobody squints (because the sun has dropped just below the horizon), and you don't need flash fill (although it can't hurt). Biggest problem will be group management--getting everyone there at the right time. The setup you would use would be the one you describe in your post--since you won't be higher than ground level, there is no shadow (yours) to worry about, although I would bring a small ladder in case it helps even out the fact that the beach slopes downward. Otherwise, shooting in daylight, going the other direction would be better, as Marc describes above. If you can get real high and shoot down (from a sand dune or cliff?), you may be able to cut out a large part of the sky in the background, which would be the glare-y part to avoid, and if the sand is light in color, it will help provide some natural fill, although you will still need flash fill. If you shoot in daylight, you can use slower film, which will help if the shot is enlarged. As for your TLR, I gather it is a Minolta Autocord? I don't use Nikon gear but I think the SB flash has an auto thyristor function on it. If it does, you can use it with the Autocord in that mode or manual mode.

Forgot to say, if you have diffused sunlight, with clouds at the horizon and the sun behind them, you would be in great luck, because that would be ideal. Just use the diffused sun as a giant reflector/umbrella single light source. If you have clouds at the horizon and the sun "sets" behind the clouds, that would be the time to do the group shot, and not when the sun actually falls below the horizon.

Hi -- thanks for taking time out to respond! Marc and Gerald, my initial thought was, as you suggested, to set the group up with the sun behind everyone, and for small groups I think this is what I'll do, but I was just worried about the shadows that would be created without being able to use proper strobes to light such a large group. Nadine, thanks for the tip about the flash. I'm new to flash photography (definitely working on that before the wedding) -- I didn't realize I might be able to use the Nikon speedlight on the Autocord. Also, when you're talking about fast film, do you mean 400 or 800, or would you push even further than that?

 

Thanks again for the advice -- I really appreciate it!

I meant 400 speed film. With medium format, 400 speed film for the group shot would be decent enough to make an 11x14 or even 16x20 (pano for the album). Just don't underexpose, which gives a "grainy" feel to the photo. Unfortunately, I assume your Autocord has only the "normal" lens on it, so maybe look up DOF tables to figure out what possible widest aperture you can use to keep everyone in focus. And focus carefully. I personally use Portra 400NC. With 35mm film, you would still be able to make an 8x10, I would think, and maybe an 11x14 without having too much grain.