Pain Points For Group Portraiture

We polled 252 photographers from the SLR Lounge Facebook Community and our Premium Member group to see what problems they were facing when taking group portraits. Here are the results:

  • 44% (112): Unique/Editorial Posing
  • 26% (66): Directing/Communicating & Commanding Attention
  • 12% (31): Lighting The Shot
  • 8% (19): Choosing A Background/Scene
  • 7% (18): Time Constraints
  • 2% (6): Technical (Camera Settings/Sharpness)

What are some of the challenges you have faced when photographing large groups?

Chapter One

  • 1.1 Wedding Workshop 7: Photographing Groups | Trailer
  • 1.2 Introduction: What Is Our Purpose & Our Goals In This Course?
  • 1.3 Pain Points For Group Portraiture
  • 1.4 Scouting & Prepping For Group Pictures
  • 1.5 Gear Guide For Group Portraits
  • 1.6 Assignment: Submit Your Best Group Portrait
  • 1.7 Chapter One Quiz

    • Chapter Two

  • 2.1 Being A Technical Artist vs. Being a Human Artist
  • 2.2 Presence & Charisma When Working With Groups
  • 2.3 Over vs. Under Communication
  • 2.4 Communication Supercut
  • 2.5 Assignment: What Communication Challenges Have You Faced?
  • 2.6 Chapter Two Quiz

    • Chapter Three

  • 3.1 Groups Equal All The Same Times Ten
  • 3.2 Foundation Posing
  • 3.3 Touchpoints
  • 3.4 Head Angle
  • 3.5 Overlap Vs. Spacing
  • 3.6 Mirroring Vs. Varied Hand Pose Placement
  • 3.7 One Setup, Multiple Expressions
  • 3.8 Visual Interest Guide
  • 3.9 Assignment: Spacing/Overlap In Group Posing
  • 3.10 Chapter Three Quiz

    • Chapter Four

  • 4.1 Symmetrical Posing: Pros Vs. Cons
  • 4.2 Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Symmetrical Posing
  • 4.3 Large Group Considerations
  • 4.4 Assignment: Large Group Portraits
  • 4.5 Chapter Four Quiz

    • Chapter Five

  • 5.1 Editorial Posing
  • 5.2 Simple Stey-By-Step Guide For Editorial Posing
  • 5.3 Large Group Editorial Considerations
  • 5.4 Assignment: Editorial Group Pose
  • 5.5 Chapter Five Quiz

    • Chapter Six

  • 6.1 Lighting Guides + Case Studies
  • 6.2 Stacking and Feathering for Even Light Coverage
  • 6.3 Single Light Feathering
  • 6.4 Overpower That Dappled Direct Garbage Sunlight
  • 6.5 Filling and Refining Natural Light, Part 1
  • 6.6 Filling and Refining Natural Light, Part 2
  • 6.7 Light Compositing for Effect and Large Groups
  • 6.8 Single Light Bounce for Large Groups
  • 6.9 Diffused Single Light for Large Groups
  • 6.10 Bounce to Refine Natural Light
  • 6.11 Makeshift Bounce without Ceiling Walls
  • 6.12 Assignment: Stacked or Single Light Feathering
  • 6.13 Chapter Six Quiz

    • Chapter Seven

  • 7.1 Journalism & Creativity - Forget the Technical & Look for the...
  • 7.2 Motion-Driven Concepts
  • 7.3 Tilt-Shift
  • 7.4 Using Depth And Layers
  • 7.5 The Collapse
  • 7.6 Wedding Party Cliches
  • 7.7 Assignment: Wedding Party Cliches
  • 7.8 Chapter Seven Quiz

    • Chapter Eight

  • 8.1 Constructive Critique For Group Portraits
  • 8.2 Assignment: Submit Group Portraits for Critique and Provide...

    • Chapter Nine

  • 9.1 General Post-Production Techniques For Group Portraiture
  • 9.2 Simple Light And Background Compositing
  • 9.3 Assignment: Create A Group Portrait Composite

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