A Group Shot - Advice needed

[JAS_Photo]

I have this idea for a group shot of the kitchen staff on our grand staircase in the old end of the club.

Here is the staircase:



Here is the photo I envision:




But with better lighting. :(

Here is what I have: The Nikon D300 as commander, the SB900, the SB600, 7ft high light stands.

The SB900 is camera left and just in front of the camera pointed straight ahead and about 60 degrees up. The SB600 is camera right facing about 45 degrees and pointed straight ahead.

Exif data is:
Camera: Nikon D300
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 18 mm
Exposure: +1.06


Flashes are set TTL mode as I have never used the remote flash function before. Any suggestions to get more light up top? I want to do this same style photo in the fall when all the staff are back full time. One with the service staff and one with the chefs again. Thanks.

[scorpio_e]

I am FAR from an expert with groups but here is my take on this. You are using small flashes and asking a lot. I would tighten up the group so the light would not have to cover a large area. Light falls off fast....

Anyway to bring in more ambient.. Maybe add some reflectors...

Nice stair case.. I would give the cooks knives and cleavers *LOL*


Maybe pose the chefs back to back to bring the group in tighter..

Good luck

[JAS_Photo]

Oh! I did not see the reply. Lol, at the props suggestion. Yeah, it is a tough area to light with what I have. Not all of the chefs were actually present for this shot. I am going to be trying it again next month. I might try getting them closer together and focusing all the light on the group but I really want those bannisters and the leaded glass in there too!

[tirediron]

I think to really get what you want, the only answer is more light. Have you thought of renting a couple of studio strobes? My approach to this would be to have to ABs about 12' up (if you use enough gaffer's tape you can actually attach a light-stand to a step ladder, or so I've heard...) aimed slightly down; I'd try them with soft-boxes first. Then use either two more studio strobes or your two portables set about the eye-height of the person on the second step; one just off to camera left (or right) shooting into an umbrella, the other at about 45 deg on the opposite side dialed back mmmm.... 1 stop? (guessing).

[jlabel]

This area is big for small flashes, I think you should try using a big white cardboard to diffuse the light, also you must take care about DOF, take a wide angle lens and try something around f/11 f/16.

Make sure you take various pictures with focus on each one, so if comes to that you can replace faces.