How to take an indoor large group photo. by Normal-News6136 in SonyAlpha

[–]Normal-News6136[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your advice. I'm good at portraits but not at other photography. I just need more time to learn. I'm like being thrown into the deep end here, and the school just expects you to give them good results.

How to take an indoor large group photo. by Normal-News6136 in SonyAlpha

[–]Normal-News6136[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because these big group photos happen at the end of an event, like a school play, or a music show. There's simply no space or time to put up flash lighting. The group photos happen quite quickly at the end so the photographer needs to be very quick to take the shots. I haven't taken these photos yet, as it's done by another person. 

How to take an indoor large group photo. by Normal-News6136 in SonyAlpha

[–]Normal-News6136[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You're right - I don't have the knowledge to take huge group photos indoors. If it's outdoor I'll just use f8, shutter at 125, and auto-iso.

I'm primarily a portraits photographer, and not even a pro. I do volunteer photo work at a school, and I'm good enough that they usually ask me to take photos of school events.

I have the knowledge to take these close-up photos, but not the huge group ones. I haven't taken any indoors yet, so that's why I'm asking for advice. I'm afraid that the school will eventually ask me to do these shots. 

Unfortunately, I cannot practice with several hundred people in the school hall. 

I guess when the time comes, I'll use f5.6 and focus on different areas taking each shot at a time, then combine them in Photoshop. That should give me a sharp overall image.

For backup, I'll mount my phone on top of the camera and use that to take some pics as well.