Camera Labs

I have left this question a little late but am hoping you can help me out! I am shooting my sisters 18th birthday party tomorrow and need some quick tips on settings. I will be shooting group photos (probably between 2-15 people).

I will be using my 550d and 430ex ii. But have not decided on a lens. It is between my 18-55 and 50mm 1.4 . This brings me onto my questions. What aperture should I use to keep everyone in focus and who do I focus on (the person in the middle?). Also I heard that it is all to do with depth of field and that lining people up in one straight line is better than having multiple rows. Is this true? (This will decide what lens I use due to space and 50mm on a cropped sensor being quite zoomed in. If I need to line people up in one line I would need a wider angle lens).

Any help or tips would be amazing!
Thank You

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Hi James

As it's New Year's Eve and you're in the UK, presumably you will be in the warm indoors.

I'd therefore think that the 50mm f1.4 would be limiting for composition of group shots. I'd go with the 18-55 myself.

Regarding aperture, it all depends of your focal length and how 'layered' the people will be from front to back in the frame, but I'd stick with F5.6-F8 and fire away.

Enjoy and show your work off here afterwards...

And stick to at least 1/60th shutter speed...

And if there's a big group (and it's an 18th as well so they might be slightly merry), then it might be useful to either:

Get them to all close their eyes and open when you say so to take the shot.

Get them to say "HA HA HA" really loud when you're shooting - sounds silly but it works!

Thanks guys!
This has been very helpful. I was thinking of using the 18-55 as it would be easier. I would have to use at least 24mm for my flash to work. But thats ok. I am going to get everyone helping set up to stand in a group whilst I figure out my settings. I want to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible so might keep the aperture at about 5.6.

Thanks again

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

didn't know dubaiphil had multiple personalities

On topic, doesnt your flash work at 18mm? Seems strange as field of view is equivalent to 28-29mm. My flash works fine at 24mm with my lens set at 18mm.

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- Wout -
Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC0 midi ballhead
Lowepro CompuRover AW and Nova 200 AW

I think I dont understand what you mean, Wout?

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

About the multiple personalities? It was only dubaiphil reacting on his first post, and reacting with thanks guys seems a bit strange

_________________
- Wout -
Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC0 midi ballhead
Lowepro CompuRover AW and Nova 200 AW

That's alright - happy Phil didn't get offended

naughty Phil only comes out to play at night

HAHA sorry dubaiphil. The flash does work at 18mm. Don't know what I was thinking. . My photography starts in 10 minutes. Some people are getting there early. Thanks again for all the tips. I look forward to sharing some of the results.

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

The party went well last night managed to get some good photos, but haven't finished editing yet. I have a quick question. How do I convert a picture to black and white using Adobe Photoshop Elements 9? I am sure this is a simple task but have just got the program and haven't had much time to get used to it.
Thanks

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Found it by accident.
The feature works very well and I am happy with the ones I have done so far. I will upload my best pictures within the next couple of days.

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin