Group Photo Tip: Create Windows

One of the most challenging things for photographers to photograph is large groups.

Communication is key to getting the best photo where you can see everyone’s face.

[NIKON Z 6, Sigma 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, Mode = Manual, ISO 200, 1/200, ƒ/8, (35mm = 24)]

One of the best possible solutions is risers. They are often called CHORAL RISERS.

Even using these risers doesn’t solve the problems with people’s heads blocking the people behind them in a photo.

No matter how often I work to get things just right, there are always a couple of folks who move and think they are OK from their perspective.

The two guys on the back row here think they are OK since they can “see” me. It would help if you had each row create enough space between people that the distance between their heads creates a “Window” space for the people in the row behind them to stand.

[Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4, ISO 100, ƒ/9, 1/80 – (2) Alienbees B1600 for fill]

Staggering people works, but telling the people on a row to help create a “Window” and have the 2nd row put their heads into those “Windows” can speed up lining people up for a group photo.

If you don’t have risers, create more space between people.

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