Taking Group Photos With Your 50mm Lens (5 Keys To Nailing The Shot)

[@PhotographyGoals]

🎓 Learn the 3 ingredients that make up every great photo in this free video training - bit.ly/3JX8gNv

[@b991228]

One tip on taking a large group picture is that it will take more time and shots than a single portrait. Be aware only one of the subjects incorrectly posed or out of focus can wreck the shot. Shoot a lot and take care that all subjects are properly positioned and posed. Give yourself plenty of captures so you can choose the best. It doesn’t hurt to warn the group that it may take a bit longer but if everyone cooperates it will go quickly. Charm them into submission.

[@pembridgehouse]

I only had a 50mm lens when I first started weddings as an amateur with a film slr..I used to use an aperture of F5.6 or F8.All your tips are good. One thing I always do with sizeable group photos is to get people to look at each other and interact a bit for a more natural and fun look. Also they are not so conscious of you and less likely to shut their eyes.Thanks Geoff

[@PhotographyGoals]

Good advice! I do the same with groups. Always good to mix up the posing to give a few options.

[@meljenkins1016]

I do a lot of high school reunions using a 10 foot wide dark grey backdrop, two 400 watt strobe lights, Canon 5D Mk IV, Sigma 50mm F/1.4, Sekonic light meter & a ExpoDisc. With everyhting set up, I shoot at ISO 400, Shutter 1/125 & F/10. A single person or a group always comes out in focus at these settings and that's my setting all night long.

[@denniscrommett]

Echoing some other comments here, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate how straightforward and succinct this video is! It's really going to help me tomorrow when I have to take some group portraits for the first time. I also appreciated how you said your clients didn't know if you had APS-C or full frame, and that it's all about taking great photos. Such a good message in a gear-obsessed world! Thanks.

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks Dennis! I hope your shoot went well. Feel free to reply below and let me know how it went.

[@kesavachandran6313]

Beautifully explained 👍👍.Now I realize the faults I have been making with my 50 mm.Really useful 👏👏👏

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad I could help! The 50mm is very versatile.

[@LauraGonzalez-qg9ys]

Thanks for a no-nonsense, straightforward, practical explanation. Just today, I thought about taking a 50mm out tomorrow. The 35 will better suit my purposes after all!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@rrmerlin3402]

Straight to the point on the basics that really count........Thank you

[@C4d009]

Yes blud! Super informative video. Shooting a wedding reception soon, with my 5d Mk 4 + sigma 50mm and canon 70-200mm. Thank you. 👻💡👻

[@PhotographyGoals]

Good luck!

[@smaganas]

First video I've seen that tells you to bring the corners in. Everyone tells you to keep the line straight for focus. Gamechanger 👍🏻

[@PhotographyGoals]

Yep! Just don't overdo it. It's usually a very subtle arc that may not even be noticeable in the photo.

[@AlergicToSnow]

This is only important for a quite big group.

[@PhotographyGoals]

@@AlergicToSnow The bigger the group the more important, but you do see the effects with maybe 5 or 6 people shoulder to shoulder. It is slight, but can help you get sharp faces if you need a wide aperture.

[@ghvxgaming]

I have literally never heard this before now. So either this is crap or everyone else failed to mention it. Same for the part about more being in focus behind the focal plane than in front. First time ever hearing this and I have watched hundreds of videos from professionals.

[@PhotographyGoals]

@@ghvxgaming I can't speak to which videos you've watched but just google "is the focal plane curved." It is a slight curve but I can assure you it is curved. It varies from lens to lens (macros, for example, have extra elements in it to flatten the focal plane). It becomes an bigger issue when shooting larger groups with shorter focal lengths.
As for the the focal point, ust check any accurate depth of field calculator (I prefer PhotoPills). You'll see that for any given combination of aperture, distance to subject, and focal length...there will be more depth of field past the focal point than in front of the focal point. That's why it is common for many landcape photographers to use the quick method of focusing 1/3 of the way into the scene (I am sure many RUclips videos have recommended that shorthand method to maximize DoF).
Glad to hear you heard it here first though. 👍

[@smackdaddy9802]

Thank you for making my day.

[@PhotographyGoals]

That comment made my day, thanks!

[@SlowmotionCandy]

I am very upset because I had a recent family shoot... I am an experienced photographer, but these results in particular got me confused. I believe I did everythig right, but still, I managed to get some people blurry. The lens is a 35mm 1.4 lens... I shot at f4, speed 1/160, focused in the middle row, I used a tripod... so, it doesn't make sense to me. Now, the curved focal plane could be an explanation (since they were in a straight line) or, maybe a faulty lens.
Your video is very well explained. Thank you.

[@jonoy4375]

If for one one row with many people (such as 10+ ) where left end to right end cover 80% of the image, then F4.0 seems still too wide.

[@sanjaygattani6577]

These tips are helpful. It would help if you would also share how far you were standing from the subject when you were taking the pictures.

[@HannaVaiklo]

thank You very much for the advice. Going to use these tips tomorrow during big family photoshoot :)

[@PhotographyGoals]

Awesome! Thanks for watching Hanna. Come back and let us know how the shoot went.

[@RaivoLaanemets]

Thank you! I wish there was a similar guide for videographers. I sometimes have to film dance videos of groups and I still have no idea where to set the focus and how narrow to go with F-stop. I have found that unlike with photos, it's not necessary to get everyone into the focus to get artistically good result. Neither have to be everyone fully in the frame all the time. I'm more bothered with noise from cheap led lights at higher ISO settings. Regarding the focal length, I have the same 50mm view since I prefer to use 25mm on a MFT camera with crop factor of 2. The largest aperture would be 1.4 (2.8 full frame equivalent) but there are MFT lenses that are faster (do I need them?).

[@johnatterbury6676]

Great video, particularly the explaination of the focal plane. Thank you for doing so!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks for watching. Not many realize the focal plane is curved.

[@LuckyDutch2011]

Very helpful and straightforward. Been using most of these approaches the few times I did have to take group photos (typically wildlife and landscape photography). The advice on crop sensor cameras was very helpful as I am shooting with a D500 (mainly for wildlife). Not sure whether you mentioned it, but it doesn't hurt checking and rechecking settings during the shoot, check your photos on the screen of your camera, and make some changes to your settings within a series (play with aperture, focal length, shutter speed) if the group "allows". Again, thanks for the great video.

[@PhotographyGoals]

This is true. I definitely recommend checking your shot (especially focus) as often as the subject will allow. Zoom in to 100% because that small screen doesn't show focus that well.

[@natashaa1129]

Loved this video wealth of information to the point. Needed this information 🎉😊

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ArcticRc]

You say in larger group photos to stand in a so called soft circle. But i guess still need to focus on the ones on the sides then since they are closest to the camera. Im new to this by the way.

[@SonDialer]

Great video. This the one I was searching for

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad to hear!

[@joshruanes]

very precise, this vid deserves more views.

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Recee43]

Not sure if anyone else does this with a DSLR. If your in the focus plane, ( Your F-stop needs to be in range or greater depending how much blur you want) use your zoom to zoom right in and manually focus your adjustment knob on your lens to narrow it down to the point of interest (Circle of Confusion /CoC). This only works in live view, but once on point you can switch views and 100% of your shots will still be in clear focus if no major adjustments were made, 1/3'rds rule in effect. Focus peaking could be explored also. Adjusting the Contrast in post editing slightly gives me a more overall definer look as well but depends on your style. Yes it takes more than a second to do this but its worth it for me. Curious if this helps anyone or not.

[@PhotographyGoals]

That sounds similar to how I would focus for a landscape shot where the camera is on a tripod and the scene isn't moving. It gets more tricky with people who could move.

[@shukhratbiggie931]

It was very helpful my maaan!! Thank you!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it helped!

[@longkedah]

Thanks info sir. best 50mm can apply all photos.potrait, family and group.

[@gabrieltorres2975]

Awesome video, not a lot of talk. Straight to the point..

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks Gabriel!

[@minurawijesena2401]

Been searching for this video all day! Thank you so much :)

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks! More coming soon, I promise. Working on new videos now.

[@Neanderthal_yardy]

Incredibly helpful! Thanks boss 👍🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@johnsonmaullon4504]

Thank you

[@PhotographyGoals]

You're welcome!

[@mattcero1]

I think this guy has the best ratio of thumbs up and down that I've seen. Great video!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate all the thumbs up!

[@petermcginty3636]

Great video. Thank you. 🎉🎉

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks for watching!

[@djdijok]

Thank you for your kind share

[@scottsater]

Wonderful video! Great helpful tips. This summer I have several family sessions, and I now own the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art lens. I'm wanting to use that lens, but definitely want to adhere to the dynamics that you discuss. Well done! Thank-you :)!!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks Scott! Yes, that is a great lens but for group shots I would be careful about using it at f/1.4

[@MargoDiPatri]

The F2 on that last photo. How were you able to get everyone in such great focus with such a wide aperture setting?

[@stefan33uk]

He was probably standing quite far back, which would increase DOF to several feet

[@PhotographyGoals]

Exactly correct!

[@bethdams1]

I NEEDED this, thanks so much 👏🏻

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks for watching, Beth! I appreciate the comment.
And I checked out your channel...you have a beautiful voice! I hope your channel grows and more people get to hear it!

[@petrusgandamana]

Yes... your explanation is really helpful, thank you

[@cristianarias2062]

It was very helpful, thanks.

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks for watching, be sure to subscribe...more coming soon!

[@kultyurgeym]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful

[@TheresSergio]

Great explanation ! Thanks very much

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks! Glad I could help. Feel free to let me know what other aspects of photography you'd be interested to see covered in future videos.

[@madalitsophiri7457]

This Tutorial Is Very Helpful👌👌

[@colinmelhuish1254]

What a great walk through. So helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@sks4hpd]

Excellent tips thanks

[@sampeters5101]

when that is literally the only lens i have lol...thanks man

[@PhotographyGoals]

It's a great lens to have as your only one. I started my portrait business with a 50mm f/1.8 and a crop sensor camera.

[@arunraj9411]

Great video, nicely explained.....you earned a subscriber 👏🏻👏🏻😍😍

[@PhotographyGoals]

Welcome aboard!

[@Vall3ntyn0]

Thank you very much for your advice.

[@Royh224]

Quick question what type of focus do you use for a group photo? I have a Sony camera and it has a different focus modes which one would be the best to use for a group photo? Thank you for the video!!

[@PhotographyGoals]

I don't have much experience with the Sony autofocus system, but I am pretty sure their "eye autofocus" allows you to switch which person's eyes you are focusing on. If that is the case then I think the eye autofocus is the way to go on almost any portrait photo. Just make sure you pick a person in the front row for a two row group of the middle row when there are more than two rows.

[@kathrynabbruzzese5007]

Very informative, thank you SO much

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

Exactly the advice and info I was looking for thanks.

[@terjebrattelid7574]

Thanks from a Mets fan!

[@PhotographyGoals]

Much appreciated! Mets fans always welcome here.

[@Molaleni]

I'm yet convinced about setting the party on a curve so the folks at the ends are closer. Isn't the sensor, which is flat the thing that matters more? Please let's discuss!

[@raamangupta3277]

Great learning. Thanks.

[@CHILLINWITH_LUKE_KEV]

Excellent video…I got the exact info I needed. I hit like and subscribe.

[@silviocaravelli3567]

Thanks! Very informative.

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ssdigitalssuresh9697]

Good morning sir....this video helps me more in right time....sir one doubt...for group photos of students taking...what is the height and width of stand or stool size sir

[@fernandovaldez1170]

Nicely explained... Thanks....

[@castro.ri_]

Muy buen vídeo amigo, directo al grano y muy útil 🌟

[@binurabinomal3926]

Nice explain thank you soo much

[@PhotographyGoals]

Most welcome! Thanks for watching. More to come so don't forget to subscribe.

[@JimmyGrant74]

Excellent video - great advice. Thank you

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raelarise1]

This was so useful and thanks for sharing your tips.

[@riideysgochannel6567]

Thanks for the info 50mm👍

[@speedypickup]

At 3:55 you showed an illustration regarding how focal plane works. I was always told, though I had not proved it for myself, but I was always told that the focal plane is like a piece of paper - a flat plane, not curved, as you illustrated. I personally lean the direction you stated, that it would be curved. But have you heard of that illustration from other photographs, that the focal plane is flat like a piece of paper?

[@PhotographyGoals]

Most instruction tries to simplify it to make it easier to understand (but that leaves out some nuance)

[@BlackfeetCommunityCollege]

So helpful! Thanks!

[@roseentz8459]

Love this page!! Would it hurt to shoot a group of 16 with F8-F11 with a 50mm lens, outdoors? Would that not give me greater assurance of everyone being in focus? Park setting, maybe two rows focusing on middle front? Family is interested in people not necessarily bokeh

[@PhotographyGoals]

That would certainly work. If you were about 25 feet away shooing a 50mm on a full frame camera at f/8 you’d get an in focus area of 76 feet!
So even if you opened up the aperture more than f/8 more you should still have plenty of focus depth to work with.

[@roseentz8459]

@@PhotographyGoals I can’t wrap my head around the distance away factor. It’s all to mathematical for me! I don’t get it😜

[@povertytaretv]

Thank
You

[@klalawmpuia2001]

clear and to the point, thanks

[@old4004]

Thanks for the tips. Did you shoot the outdoors groups with just natural light or with fill flash?

[@PhotographyGoals]

I prefer to use a little fill flash whenever possible. It helps to fill the shadows and control the ambient light a little. However, with bigger groups, it can be hard to get the lighting even without multiple flashes. So when I can, I'll shoot it with and without and use the better one. As long as the group is cooperative, more shots is always better because it will give you more options to choose from.

[@dhretimanmallick2586]

Very informative, thanks 👍

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AHMEDHAMINE]

absolutely helpful thanks you mate ❤️

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad it helped

[@BrianHallmond]

Good tips, thanks! 😁

[@THEROOK2007]

Great tips ! 👍🏾

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks! Working on some more content like this, make sure you're subscribed...

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thank you!

[@martinlawrence8427]

Great tips!

[@houshangaghassy8578]

Love your video because in short time ,have a lot info without jumping from one subject to another .How bout make video for wide angle and give us some tip.

[@gerihenry2261]

Super helpful and so well explained, thank you so much! Planning to have a drop-in photo session on Halloween Day for anyone interested in getting their photo taken, what kind of lens and lighting set-up would you recommend for large groups in a small studio, if there are any? Sincere thanks.

[@kihu14]

Very useful, thanks

[@drtnrao57]

Good video.

[@Thajoshiboy]

Thank you so much!!

[@raymika2804]

What aperture would you recommend if there's 2 or 3 rows 20 or people shooting outside?

[@PhotographyGoals]

With that many people and rows, don’t worry about getting a blurry background. Use f/8 or f/10 to make sure you have enough depth of focus. If you’re unsure, try the depth of field calculator in the Photo Pills App to calculate it.

[@smaganas]

great video!!

[@tmhart43]

In the shot with the dancers which person were you focused on?

[@PhotographyGoals]

The one in the front, but I made sure I used an aperture that gave me enough depth of field no matter who I focused on (because I didn't need to blur the background)

[@gideonmega4672]

Perfect ‼️

[@PhotographyGoals]

Thanks! I don't know if I would say perfect but I won't argue with you.

[@ginasalang9378]

Thank you! Great tips. I appreciate how you explain and provide the settings logic. I subscribed! Can you cover whether groups can be shot with a 70-200 2.8? Thank you!

[@Chris_007_]

I watched a few videos where people do use 70-200 lenses but they do say they aren't the ideal lenses for group portraits. You certainly can do it though.

[@hurleygreen927]

GREAT VIDEO! Were you shooting in Manual Mode or Aperture Priority?

[@PhotographyGoals]

Almost always manual. I think it’s actually easier to shoot manual and gives you more control.

[@hurleygreen927]

GOOD ANSWER! :)

[@PhotographyGoals]

@@hurleygreen927 I always teach beginners to start with manual. Priority modes cause more confusion than help. It's a topic I am thinking of making a video about.

[@hurleygreen927]

@@PhotographyGoals
Good call! As a photojournalist here in Chicago, I shoot mostly manual but also shoot Aperture Priority with outdoor portraits! :)

[@akshots_tz]

thankyou

[@PhotographyGoals]

Glad the video helped!

[@Anika.25]

Awesome 👏

[@NIBUSVISUALCREATIONS]

Nice tips

[@timasbell108]

Great video! Are you using a flash to fill?

[@PhotographyGoals]

I use off-camera flash in the majority of my portrait shots. For larger groups it tends to be more fill than a key light, though...like you said.

[@fuweiqu1810]

how about focus mode?
wide,zone or small point?

[@mileneaubert2580]

Hello, I would like to know if the flashes have the same strength or should one be stronger than the other, thank you very much!

[@jamesscharnitz7640]

What autofocus settings do you use for group shots?

[@90krishika]

I’ve found it very difficult to keep
Everyone in focus in f2, like you showed the fall family picture in this video.
Do you think f2 always work? Did you use flash/beauty dish for that photo ?

[@PhotographyGoals]

In that case, I was shooting with a 50mm lens and standing 20-30 feet away, which gave me a depth of field somewhere between 6-12 feet, which is plenty for this shot. If you get closer, then you are dealing with a shallower depth of field. If you want to experiment with different depths of field, check out the Photo Pills app, it is very helpful with that.

[@jonoy4375]

This F2.0 is a nice photo at large. The key is all people standing in one line on focal plane. However, as the group span is so wide, if zoom in to check individual face, the faces on both sides might be not sharp enough ~ just may guess.

[@saintwolfcrypto]

Does this same thought apply to video? Have a 3-5 person podcast I'm recording in a living room type setting (seating is curved). Sony zv-e10 apsc with Sony 16mm 2.8 lens. Thanks!!

[@sadeqsegaraga8766]

Did you shoot single focus mode or wide?

[@PhotographyGoals]

These were with a DSLR so I typically used single point focus for portraits. But with the new mirrorless cameras, the Eye AF feature is so easy to use its basically cheating.

[@Mb-vs3lw]

What autofocus setting do you use, or do you shoot manual focus?

[@PhotographyGoals]

Almost never manual focus when shooting people. For most of the shots in this video, I used single point focus and moved it to where I needed it. With a lot of the current mirrorless cameras, I am loving the eye autofocus. I just move it to the eyes of the people in the front row and as long as your aperture is not too wide, it works great.

[@rv7161]

How about the focus modes?

[@1209jayt]

Very well explained! What AF mode do you use for a group shot? Thanks.

[@petsnaturetv1690]

2 or 2.8

[@1209jayt]

@@petsnaturetv1690 thanks 🙏

[@joshuagharis9017]

Like Unmesh from piximperfect, I love the curves for focal plane

[@PhotographyGoals]

Yep, just be careful as the curve is very slight. But can be important as the groups get larger.

[@michaelfloyd718]

I usually shoot my groups with my 16 28 Tokina up to about 20 to 25 people, and my 12 24 Sigma for more than 25 people, typically Church or homecoming shots.
Where do you position yourself to have a fifty capture thus many people ?

[@creativejuicesproductionsl8167]

What ISO are you using?

[@PhotographyGoals]

For portraits, I typically use the base ISO (especially when using flash).

[@jack11777]

WHY WITHOUT FOCUS RANGE????

[@therookiefisherman5234]

I love the tips, but why are the photos not sharp?

[@PhotographyGoals]

You might be seeing the effect of RUclips compressing the video. The actual files were plenty sharp.