This was extremely helpful Omar. Group shots can be really tough. You addressed so many questions I had, and questions I never thought of. Ideas for follow-up videos: -Fixing lens distortion in post on group photos. You touched on it here, and I’d like to know more in a computer tutorial. Such a relief to know there are some options to fix it in post if you’re forced to shoot at a wide focal length. -Lighting and flash setups for group photos. Thanks again for all you do to help photographers.
Agreed, Omar is such a talented & natural entertainer and comedian that I think some of these shots are better than anyone else could do. Except mayyybe if Jim Carrey took up wedding photography, Omar might have some competition there. 😆
Thank you Omar - One of your best videos in my opinion. Clear explanation, great coordination between word and image illustration, short duration at basically 8 minutes, and limited attempts are being too funny. Very well balanced. Thank you Sir.
I always hated these group photos, now I know why. I'd been making the mistake of shooting too wide. I saw this video a few hours before a gig this weekend and my group photo is no longer the weakest photo in my shoot. Thanks big O
Thanks, I always shoot groups at events & these are the most crucial photos because everyone wants the prints or jpegs. Nice refresher & great phone-jingle dance!!😆
Thank you for this very insightful video filled with great techniques and the reasons why. I've been a professional photographer for over 12 years and I study stuff on RUclips every single day - I have never seen anybody present this topic at all. This was very very helpful. Thank you my New Jersey neighbor from your Long Island friend.
Great video! I only clicked because it was you, Omar. These "best focal length" videos are usually kinda pointless. Your tips on when and HOW to use different focal lengths and your posing tips are very helpful. Thanks!
One tip that you mentioned was getting higher than the group. I did this recently by attaching the camera on top of a 9-foot light stand and triggering it remotely. Worked great! Thanks for sharing your skills in your engaging videos.
Perfect! Just what I needed...I'm shooting 35 families this coming weekend at a resort and then one pic of them all together!! I'm now bringing my 85mm 1.4 along with either my 70-200 or 120-300 2.8. Leaving the wide angle at home
Omar is my favorite RUclips photographer! Fellow jersey wedding photographer here and after second shooting since 2013 and my business on my own in 2018, I s to ll struggle at times to find someone who shows the shoots, the photos and what happens and makes me laugh and learn! Keep going Omar! I ant wait to see what comes next but after trying to learn groups and family photos more I come right here to learn. Cannot wait to for the wedding this weekend to try these
Everytime I watch Your videos it feel like a great meeting with a dear, goofy, but dear friend and than I see Your photos... Dammm You are talented! Those group shoots are amazing!
Gosh, once you pointed out about how zoom brings the background closer I remembered that geometry matters! I loved this video, especially the phone ring dance (I do one when my phone rings, too!) Thank you, Omar!
This was so helpful, Omar! I’m shooting my mothers wedding photos and I’ve been wondering how to do the group photo, perfect timing lol also I love these “situation” videos, they’re very literal and practical and I think you should do more
thanks a million, i have a high school JRTC photos to take and i was searching for some information on group photos. i have never shot groups larger than 10 people. the information is spot on. thanks.
Thank you for some GREAT tips that I have not heard elsewhere! I plan to try an 85mm for a very special shoot of my 2 grandparents with their 9 great-grandchildren. ❤ Not too big of a group so I'm feeling confident the 85 will be perfect!
Thank you for this! Second shooter for my first wedding and it's a big one so I know there will be large groups to photograph. This tip was so helpful!
Very helpful. A week ago, I was shooting an awards ceremony featuring architects, developers, community groups etc. We were in a 100 year old auditorium seating about 150 people. I used a 50mm to shoot each awardee, but some of them were groups of 8-9 people! Then, I had to shoot all of them on stage (30+) at once. Even with a 16mm, I had to get off the stage to get everyone in - holding the camera over my head to stay level with the stage. I was working that distortion slider a lot in post. Stacking people would have been good, but just not possible. So the photo is 2:1 aspect ratio. Wish I had seen the venue (and this video) before the event.
Why didn't I stumble upon this video a couple of weeks ago when I had to take a group shot at work and I was researching the subject? I'm your subscriber fer chrissake! An indoor group shot brings some challenges though since I only had an on-camera flash. I figured that I should be as far as possible but bouncing from the ceiling was limiting the distance I could go away. I also thought about getting a whiteboard behind me as a large bouncing surface. In the end I did just fine with 35mm and a ceiling bounce. The flash cycle speed was the crucial limit as there were balloons flying in the air.
Haha being in Carajoland to take a picture applies more to Wildlife Photography than to Portraits. That single sentence sold it to me, thanks for the laughs. Awesome video!
Thanks for the video. If I must shoot a group photo of less than 25 people, I will use a 50mm or 35mm or a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera. However, if I must shoot a large group photo, I prefer to use a medium or large format camera. My personal favorite is a 6x9cm medium format camera with a 65mm f/5.6 lens.
Thanks for sharing your tips on group shots. I would always use the widest lens in my bag, and now I am armed with a wider selection of lens to use and how to use them. Thanks again.
Super helpful. Right out of the blue I have been asked to photograph our old friend's wedding next week. I am a very amateur but enthusiastic landscape photographer so I'm clueless! This has pointed me in the right direction....Much appreciated and many thanks. Also made me laugh!
Awesome Mr G. ! Great educational advice on group shots. It's been awhile since anyone really gave usable photography information of actually taking pictures... I am so glad I watched your video and will recommend it to others. As always, keep up the good work and keep'em flying.
Wide lenses have their place. Like you find yourself with no room to back up and you are already hitting the wall behind you. But if you have the space, of course longer focal length is ideal
Interesting video, thank you Omar I got bit different /confusing reply for my question,ie: What is the best lens for portraits (close upper body shots) Appreciate your response in advance
Really good video thx been shooting 10+ years always used the 20 or 35 for groups. i have a wedding in 2 weekend going to pull out the 85 for the group shots this time, nerver even tryed a long lens maby its because Group shoots always stresses me out and hate doing them, thx for the stacking advice so basic but still overlooked I feel like a rookie lol
if you are good with photoshop you can also take several shots side by side and stitch them together. this lets your 50mm cover a wider area, without the distortion of a wide angle lens. you have to be good with photoshop though because you will get divergent lines that need to be fixed/hidden. especially with walls or other straight objects.
I had to laugh at your "carajo-land 2 blocks away" comment about longer focal lengths. That was hilarious. I was shooting photos for family gathering for New Years Eve recently and I was using a 85mm 1.8 that had me in "carajo-land" for most group photos and immediately identified with your comment 😂
This was awesome thanks! I really learned a ton! I just upgraded to a Nikon Z6ii with a 35mm & 85mm Z lenses. I don’t have any others yet! So this was great to hear I could should a group with an 85mm too. I loved learning how things are distorted and all the examples! Xoxoxo
Right on time! I've been thinking how I'm going to get my big family reunion photo next month with everybody: 50 people. I guess it's me on the roof with an 80mm macro. Still worried.
Guys. Beware in these comments. Spam bots have attacked. No one has won anything from me. I’m too cheap.
Oops too bad for you, hope you manage to get rid of it. Wish you all luck with everything 🤗👍
I’ve never won anything so I ignored it.
Buy maybe this is the universe telling you that I should win something
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This was extremely helpful Omar. Group shots can be really tough.
You addressed so many questions I had, and questions I never thought of.
Ideas for follow-up videos:
-Fixing lens distortion in post on group photos. You touched on it here, and I’d like to know more in a computer tutorial. Such a relief to know there are some options to fix it in post if you’re forced to shoot at a wide focal length.
-Lighting and flash setups for group photos.
Thanks again for all you do to help photographers.
Great video. Thank you. A lighting follow up would be much appreciated. Your clarity is so helpful.
These are some of the best group photos I've ever seen. Everyone is engaged and shows their character. Amazing.
Thank you!
Agreed, Omar is such a talented & natural entertainer and comedian that I think some of these shots are better than anyone else could do. Except mayyybe if Jim Carrey took up wedding photography, Omar might have some competition there. 😆
Thank you Omar - One of your best videos in my opinion. Clear explanation, great coordination between word and image illustration, short duration at basically 8 minutes, and limited attempts are being too funny. Very well balanced. Thank you Sir.
I always hated these group photos, now I know why. I'd been making the mistake of shooting too wide. I saw this video a few hours before a gig this weekend and my group photo is no longer the weakest photo in my shoot. Thanks big O
Thanks, I always shoot groups at events & these are the most crucial photos because everyone wants the prints or jpegs. Nice refresher & great phone-jingle dance!!😆
Thank you for this very insightful video filled with great techniques and the reasons why. I've been a professional photographer for over 12 years and I study stuff on RUclips every single day - I have never seen anybody present this topic at all.
This was very very helpful. Thank you my New Jersey neighbor from your Long Island friend.
Great video! I only clicked because it was you, Omar. These "best focal length" videos are usually kinda pointless. Your tips on when and HOW to use different focal lengths and your posing tips are very helpful. Thanks!
One tip that you mentioned was getting higher than the group. I did this recently by attaching the camera on top of a 9-foot light stand and triggering it remotely. Worked great! Thanks for sharing your skills in your engaging videos.
Perfect! Just what I needed...I'm shooting 35 families this coming weekend at a resort and then one pic of them all together!! I'm now bringing my 85mm 1.4 along with either my 70-200 or 120-300 2.8. Leaving the wide angle at home
Great advice Omar! Could perhaps have said more about the apertures you use with those stacked group shots!?
Omar is my favorite RUclips photographer! Fellow jersey wedding photographer here and after second shooting since 2013 and my business on my own in 2018, I s to ll struggle at times to find someone who shows the shoots, the photos and what happens and makes me laugh and learn! Keep going Omar! I ant wait to see what comes next but after trying to learn groups and family photos more I come right here to learn. Cannot wait to for the wedding this weekend to try these
That was really useful. I've been doing this kind of shooting since the 70's. It's nice to have a refresher. Thank you
Super helpful. Thank you. A lot of time people buy cameras to take photos of their family during events then often think wide lens is the way to go.
Outstanding, Omar! By far the best advice and examples on shooting group photos one will find on RUclips! Thank you so much, Omar!
Everytime I watch Your videos it feel like a great meeting with a dear, goofy, but dear friend and than I see Your photos... Dammm You are talented! Those group shoots are amazing!
😂😂😂 omg that lil dance took me out. You literally have me laughing every time 😂
Great tips! I really like how you were sensitive to children and the challenges there!
Gosh, once you pointed out about how zoom brings the background closer I remembered that geometry matters! I loved this video, especially the phone ring dance (I do one when my phone rings, too!) Thank you, Omar!
This was a perfect video for what I needed to know! Very clear with the examples and to the point!
Your sense of humor is top notch.
This was so helpful, Omar! I’m shooting my mothers wedding photos and I’ve been wondering how to do the group photo, perfect timing lol also I love these “situation” videos, they’re very literal and practical and I think you should do more
Brilliant and very relevant. As relevant as Andreas Feininger‘s photoschool that taught me analogue photography as a kid, many, many ages back.
thanks a million, i have a high school JRTC photos to take and i was searching for some information on group photos. i have never shot groups larger than 10 people. the information is spot on. thanks.
Thank you for some GREAT tips that I have not heard elsewhere! I plan to try an 85mm for a very special shoot of my 2 grandparents with their 9 great-grandchildren. ❤ Not too big of a group so I'm feeling confident the 85 will be perfect!
Great tutorial, Omar. Different views for different lenses..........thanks for pictures that show the difference.
Thank you for enlightening me peace
Thank you for this! Second shooter for my first wedding and it's a big one so I know there will be large groups to photograph. This tip was so helpful!
Very helpful. A week ago, I was shooting an awards ceremony featuring architects, developers, community groups etc. We were in a 100 year old auditorium seating about 150 people. I used a 50mm to shoot each awardee, but some of them were groups of 8-9 people! Then, I had to shoot all of them on stage (30+) at once. Even with a 16mm, I had to get off the stage to get everyone in - holding the camera over my head to stay level with the stage. I was working that distortion slider a lot in post. Stacking people would have been good, but just not possible. So the photo is 2:1 aspect ratio. Wish I had seen the venue (and this video) before the event.
What best with your videos is you always try to come with a photo example from everything you said.
Thank you very much...
That was a great rundown of group shots.
Thank you for such great tip Omar! As always; YOU ROCK ! 👍👍
Great advices, much more valuable than pixel-peeping of the latest lens 👍😊 thx for it
I knew all this, still I love to hear you telling me this your way and I actually learn it a better way. Thanks Omar for your positive videos.
The photo at 5:11 is amazing!
Great vid Omar! Each time I watch I catch something new. This vid is loaded with gems! Thanks 😊
Super helpful! Thanks for the tips on the bigger group shots
These are true professional tips. I appreciate that you shared those! Thank you for the video!
Excellent suggestions for groups… thanks so much.
Thank you for the tips and techniques and I straight away subscribed to your channel.
Why didn't I stumble upon this video a couple of weeks ago when I had to take a group shot at work and I was researching the subject? I'm your subscriber fer chrissake!
An indoor group shot brings some challenges though since I only had an on-camera flash. I figured that I should be as far as possible but bouncing from the ceiling was limiting the distance I could go away. I also thought about getting a whiteboard behind me as a large bouncing surface.
In the end I did just fine with 35mm and a ceiling bounce. The flash cycle speed was the crucial limit as there were balloons flying in the air.
the pic at 5:11 is AWESOME
big up!!
this was the most helpful video i have watched and i have been surfing youtube for hours. Thank you Thank you!!!
Haha being in Carajoland to take a picture applies more to Wildlife Photography than to Portraits. That single sentence sold it to me, thanks for the laughs. Awesome video!
Thanks for the video.
If I must shoot a group photo of less than 25 people, I will use a 50mm or 35mm or a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera.
However, if I must shoot a large group photo, I prefer to use a medium or large format camera. My personal favorite is a 6x9cm medium format camera with a 65mm f/5.6 lens.
Great video! Could you make another video about how to chose the optimal aperture for groups of different sizes too?
Thanks for sharing your tips on group shots. I would always use the widest lens in my bag, and now I am armed with a wider selection of lens to use and how to use them. Thanks again.
Huh, well this explains why so many school shots involved stacking. Thanks for the tips!
Super helpful. Right out of the blue I have been asked to photograph our old friend's wedding next week. I am a very amateur but enthusiastic landscape photographer so I'm clueless! This has pointed me in the right direction....Much appreciated and many thanks. Also made me laugh!
Omar, you always crack me up, love your humor and your energy😂❤️
Great. Will share with my large group ;)
Awesome Mr G. ! Great educational advice on group shots. It's been awhile since anyone really gave usable photography information of actually taking pictures...
I am so glad I watched your video and will recommend it to others. As always, keep up the good work and keep'em flying.
Thanks Sir.. It feels good to hear that using wide lenses are just mis conceptions.. Thanks A Lot.
Wide lenses have their place. Like you find yourself with no room to back up and you are already hitting the wall behind you. But if you have the space, of course longer focal length is ideal
Great, super helpful info. Thanks a lot for your time.
TEACH, MY BROTHER! Appreciate your info on best focal length for group portraits! Thanks
Thanks Omar, these tips will really help me the next time I face a group photo moment. 👍
Great video, learned some stuff just in time for my group shoot tomorrow. thanks.
You are the consummate professional! Thanks for the helpful advice as always,
wow thank you, its really a struggle to take super large groups
The school photo at min 7:07 blew my mind. I learned from this video. Thank you!
Great tips...never thought about getting this far away....always rocked my 23 1.4...guess next time i try the 56 or 85
Great video, very informative
Thanks, that was super helpful and really interesting!
Excellent, just found you and following now. I have the opportunity of photographing a large film festival event, so I will be using your advice.
incredibly helpful! you rock Omar
Great tips, Omar. Will apply them in my next family photos.
Thank you Omar. Very helpful.
How come nobody ever made a video about this. I’m sure most of us do group photo, and this video is very helpful. Thanks, Omar.
Thanks, Omar! One question though. Are the figures for APC-S or full frame?
Such great work and practical, insightful tips from an experienced pro! Thank you!
Exceptionally practical; thanks!
Thank you do much. This is great advice.
You make me so calm.
Interesting video, thank you Omar
I got bit different /confusing reply for my question,ie:
What is the best lens for portraits (close upper body shots)
Appreciate your response in advance
Next week I have to photograph 4 soccer teams at once, so this video was really helpful!
Really helpful advice! Thank you so much!
Really good video thx been shooting 10+ years always used the 20 or 35 for groups. i have a wedding in 2 weekend going to pull out the 85 for the group shots this time, nerver even tryed a long lens maby its because Group shoots always stresses me out and hate doing them, thx for the stacking advice so basic but still overlooked I feel like a rookie lol
Extremely helpful, Omar! I was planning to but 16-35 for large group photos.
Thanks!
great advice! that I only have 95mm tele lens in my p50 pro
Really helpful to me, Omar. Thanks
if you are good with photoshop you can also take several shots side by side and stitch them together. this lets your 50mm cover a wider area, without the distortion of a wide angle lens. you have to be good with photoshop though because you will get divergent lines that need to be fixed/hidden. especially with walls or other straight objects.
I had to laugh at your "carajo-land 2 blocks away" comment about longer focal lengths. That was hilarious. I was shooting photos for family gathering for New Years Eve recently and I was using a 85mm 1.8 that had me in "carajo-land" for most group photos and immediately identified with your comment 😂
Great helpful video! What exact tool in photoshop helped fix the wide lens distortin? Thanks.
Thank you, always some good tips for us!
This is absolutly gold!, thank you Omar!
Super helpful video Omar!
Really great tips! Thanks for the content!
Nice watch ! What was it ? Great helpful vid as well ..
This was awesome thanks! I really learned a ton! I just upgraded to a Nikon Z6ii with a 35mm & 85mm Z lenses. I don’t have any others yet! So this was great to hear I could should a group with an 85mm too. I loved learning how things are distorted and all the examples! Xoxoxo
Really helpful for us beginners! Thanks Omar.
Great video Omar 👍🏻
Tremendas ideas para fotografía de grupos!! Nice!!
"Scam likely, Virginia Beach" is calling you? lol...
Cool video, thanks for the tips & tricks, very helpful
Fantastic tips, much appreciated
Thank you!! Awesome tips!!
Thank you Omar 🥁🙌🏽
Right on time! I've been thinking how I'm going to get my big family reunion photo next month with everybody: 50 people. I guess it's me on the roof with an 80mm macro. Still worried.
great lesson, thank you
Agh, I needed this advice yesterday! I popped out my 17-28mm for a 75 person group shot and I am not that happy with it.
Great tips! Thank you!