BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Focus Problems (Blur)

Denny		Large Group Photos I am taking group pictures of anywhere from 12-300 kids. When I take the pictures of the kids with small numbers, 15-60, the images are fine. But when I get into the larger number, the faces of the kids seem not to be in focus. I am using a Canon D30 camera with a 15-35 2.8 lens and Canon 420EX flash. When set the camera to program and then take the picture. The program settings for the camera are normally around 5.6-8.0 and 80-160. Why are the faces blurry? Any suggestions?? To love this question, log in above July 03, 2002

Andy		That could be the cause of shallow depth-of-field. Try using the Aperture Priority setting and set it to at least 11 or 16. That will required a longer exposure time. If you are using an Image Stabilizing lens mounted on a tripod, make sure you turn off the Stabilizing feature (indicated in the manual). Or else you may get unpredictable result. Hope this helps. To love this comment, log in above July 04, 2002

Denny		How important is flash when taking large group pictures? To love this comment, log in above July 05, 2002

John A. Lind		Denny, What resolution setting are you using for your large group photographs? As group size increases, each face gets smaller to get everyone into the photograph. This means fewer pixels per face, and often it requires larger prints to make everyone recognizable. This issue isn't just a digital one, it's found with film too. With film, my experience has been photographing enormous groups the size you mentioned (upward of 300) is more easily done using medium format; a 645, 6x6 or 6x7. The reason is to get a higher resolution negative from which a higher resolution, larger print can be made, so each face has enough resolution on film and a print can be made large enough for all of them to be recognizable. Do a little math starting with the pixel for an entire image. The figure out how big the faces are and from that you should be able to determine what the average pixel dimensions are for each individual face. Regarding flash: Flash can do a number of things if used properly. It can provide catchlights in the eyes that bring them to life. It can also allow using a narrower aperture for greater depth of field than might be feasible without one. In conjunction with this, most of the exposure occurs with the flash duration, not the shutter speed, and reduces risk of blur from camera shake or subject motion. With enormous groups, use it carefully and sparingly. If a group has great depth to it, the front row can end up overexposed and the back row underexposed. The greater the depth of the group, the more the flash needs to be farther from the group. The purpose for this is keeping flash to group distance relatively large compared to group depth. -- John To love this comment, log in above July 05, 2002

Debra Weisheit		Hi All! Why are we turning off the image stabilizing feature on the lens? I love that feature, but can really say I've used it for huge groups, although it may come up in the future. I'm surprised by the suggestion and am quite curious as to the reasons for it. To love this comment, log in above July 11, 2002

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here Report this Thread