AboutDon Wood Expertise I have been a professional photographer for 26 years. Wedding, portraits, passports, copies, groups pix, reunions, etc. Specialty in photography of large groups. I also have worked in newspaper photography for most of my photographic years. I have built and maintained a b/w darkroom, and a color darkroom.
Experience I have been a professional photographer for 35 years. I am transitioning to digital photography so I might be able to help in that field. I'm retired now but am still able to be helpful in the field. I have built a b/w, color darkroom, worked in a color lab, worked in the newspaper field both in darkroom and as a shooter.
Question What setting should my camera be on to take a picture with over 600 people in it? I have a Nikon D80. My friend will be taking this picture with my camera. She is going to be on the school roof and shooting down to the basketball court. I am very nervous about the location and where she is going to have to stand to get this picture taken. I want to make sure my camera is set on the right settings for her. I usually keep my camera on the auto setting. She told me that she is going to need to use my lens that is 55 to 200. Should the ISO be on Auto too, or should I change it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
Answer I think you will be ok with the settings on automatic. You will have a fairly flat depth of field, the wide angle of the lens should work. You can pack the people in since they will be looking up at the roof and thus not occupying the space that if you were on the ground they would take. Just be sure to tell the people that they should be seeing the photographer with both eyes. If they are seeing him/her with just one, they are probably being hidden partly by the tall person in front. I would also use a tripod just to make sure that everybody is shown. If you have access to a bullhorn I would most definitely use it. You could probably do without if your voice is loud enough to convey directions. I would examine the field to determine when is the best time to take the picture. You want the field illuminated evenly, not a splotchy field of light and dark areas. You will probably want to set the camera to the finest definition you can get, assuming it's a digital camera. If it isn't a digital camera then follow the same directions. Good luck, let me know how my advice worked for you. Just repost your comment in this forum. Someone else may have the same problem. Thanks.
Don
