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Focus On Lighting Photos Focus on the Fundamentals.pdf

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When photographing large<br />

groups, where some people are<br />

<strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> ground, some seated, and<br />

perhaps several rows of people<br />

standing (<strong>on</strong> risers or stairs), we’d<br />

prefer to shoot from a higher<br />

viewpoint. By placing <strong>the</strong> camera<br />

at <strong>the</strong> same angle as <strong>the</strong> rows of<br />

heads create (by looking at <strong>the</strong><br />

group from <strong>the</strong> side), it means<br />

134<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>On</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Lighting</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Photos</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

that we can use a fairly small<br />

f-stop (and need less lighting<br />

power) and yet all <strong>the</strong> faces will<br />

be in focus. This approach has<br />

<strong>the</strong> added benefit that all <strong>the</strong><br />

heads will be <strong>the</strong> same size. If<br />

<strong>the</strong> camera is simply pointed<br />

at a large group from standing<br />

level, <strong>the</strong> faces in <strong>the</strong> fr<strong>on</strong>t will<br />

be larger than those in <strong>the</strong> back.<br />

Hey, this makes sense because by<br />

shooting straight <strong>on</strong>, <strong>the</strong> people<br />

at <strong>the</strong> back are indeed far<strong>the</strong>r<br />

away and <strong>the</strong>refore smaller. So<br />

if you know ahead of time that<br />

you’ll be shooting a large group,<br />

be prepared to bring a ladder! If<br />

it’s a surprise to you, <strong>the</strong>n at least<br />

try to stand <strong>on</strong> a chair or find<br />

high ground.

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