Expert: Don Wood - 3/27/2006

Question
Hi Don.
I have a question. I have a Nikon D70s and have been doing portraits for about 3 months now. I have had one group that was 4 people. But I am starting to book more families now. My question is how do you ge everyone completely in focus? Is there a secret to it? I have been doing single portraits and family portraits intimadate me alittle. Oh I have the kit lens that came with the camera (18-70mm 3.5-4.5) and the 50mm 1.4 lens. Which do you reccomend using?

Thanks so much for taking the time..

Beth

Answer
Determine which lens yields the best resolution, the zoom or the 1.4. Then use the lens that is indicated. If they are equal in resolution, then use it according to the space you're photographing in. Ex. you're in a small room, then you may wish to use a wide-angle particularly if you're trying to capture the whole family.
To ensure that everybody will be in focus, focus on the middle row of a group. Use a flash that will insure that you have enough light to photograph at the f8 or f11 aperture. There is a law of thirds here, it says that somewhere in a group there is a point which ensures that everyone is in focus. Usually it it 1/3 in front, and 2/3 in back. I have taken some large groups in my career the largest had 125 people in it. I chose to look down on the assembly from the 2nd floor balcony, some of the group in the first three rows were kneeling, the rest standing. It turned out very well.
I wish you luck. But I do wish to recommend that you do this on a part-time, evening or weekend, basis until such a time as when you can pay your bills and live your lifestyle solely on the photo income. Sooner or later you will find that portraits get shoved to the back burner during a depression when money is tight. As long as you practically give the pix away, you will continue to be busy, but you may have problems with paying your bills. This is the field that I have been involved with, in a small town, for 35 years. It's either feast or famine, you have too much work to do in the time alloted for your work, or you're twiddling your thumbs wondering if you'll ever get any money in let alone get enough to pay your bills. When I was using film, by December my Christmas season was over other than delivering the pictures. Then I had a dry season until mid-March when I'd get queries about wedding pictures, class reunions, etc.
I'd shoot possibly 12-15 reunions during the summer, ccollecting for the at the time of the shooting. Don't take a a promise of payment upon delivery, they can conveniently forget the promise made to impress the classmates and you're stuck with the product. There is nothing you can do with a print which someone has ordered and then chooses not to take it.
Thanks for asking, if I can help further, let me know in this venue. Good Luck!
Don