Comments on: How To Photograph Large Groups in the Studio http://www.studioonashoestring.com/607/how-to-photograph-large-groups-in-the-studio/ Photography tips and techniques for the cash-challenged Mon, 23 May 2011 16:37:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: deborahwolfe http://www.studioonashoestring.com/607/how-to-photograph-large-groups-in-the-studio/comment-page-1/#comment-126 deborahwolfe Thu, 13 May 2010 16:28:23 +0000 http://www.studioonashoestring.com/?p=607#comment-126 Hi George. Balancing lighting for disparate skin tones can be an issue. Your first instinct was correct, in that rearranging people in relation to distance from light heads is a good first step. You must also pay attention to shadows and where they are falling. It also helps to have at least four light heads when photographing larger groups, irregardless of skin tones. I keep my modeling lights on and pay close attention to shadows. If anyone's face is in shadow, I will either move them OR reposition a light. Of course, in post processing it is SO much easier now in the digital age to simply dodge and/or burn to further even out skin tone exposures. There are several ways skin tone can be adjusted in Photoshop and that would be a entire blog post on its own. Good luck and happy shooting. Hi George. Balancing lighting for disparate skin tones can be an issue. Your first instinct was correct, in that rearranging people in relation to distance from light heads is a good first step. You must also pay attention to shadows and where they are falling. It also helps to have at least four light heads when photographing larger groups, irregardless of skin tones. I keep my modeling lights on and pay close attention to shadows. If anyone’s face is in shadow, I will either move them OR reposition a light.

Of course, in post processing it is SO much easier now in the digital age to simply dodge and/or burn to further even out skin tone exposures. There are several ways skin tone can be adjusted in Photoshop and that would be a entire blog post on its own.

Good luck and happy shooting.

]]> By: George Dudley http://www.studioonashoestring.com/607/how-to-photograph-large-groups-in-the-studio/comment-page-1/#comment-125 George Dudley Wed, 12 May 2010 16:00:15 +0000 http://www.studioonashoestring.com/?p=607#comment-125 I often have to take photos of diverse groups of people. It is common for a groups to have a dark skinned African-American and a light skin caucasion. Balancing the exposure in such diversity has been difficult. (I was even once accused of being racist because I insisted that an African-American, who wanted to be in the rear, to move to the front. A simple "it will make for a better picture" wasn't good enough, and I had to explain the exposure problem.) Any suggestions for balancing light on photos of people with diverse skin tones? I often have to take photos of diverse groups of people. It is common for a groups to have a dark skinned African-American and a light skin caucasion. Balancing the exposure in such diversity has been difficult. (I was even once accused of being racist because I insisted that an African-American, who wanted to be in the rear, to move to the front. A simple “it will make for a better picture” wasn’t good enough, and I had to explain the exposure problem.) Any suggestions for balancing light on photos of people with diverse skin tones?

]]> By: Patricia http://www.studioonashoestring.com/607/how-to-photograph-large-groups-in-the-studio/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Patricia Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:06:15 +0000 http://www.studioonashoestring.com/?p=607#comment-13 Great stuff, love all the color,,and you may have missed your calling, keep the great pics coming Great stuff, love all the color,,and you may have missed your calling,
keep the great pics coming

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