Hints and tips on what I did:
- Arrive
at your destination and check to see where the sun rises and
sets to maximise your window of opportunity of getting the right
light.
- Scout
out the area to find an interesting place to take the photos. I
found an old Kraal at the back of the lodge which was just
perfect.
- Wait
for the right time of the day. We took photos in the 'golden
hour' just before sunset and even then, we started out a little
late because the light faded quickly at that time of the day.
- Don't
take photos on the first day, let everyone relax first.
- You
may have to bribe people to get them away from their scrapping
or fishing for a group shot!
-
As the group is
walking to the destination get them to stop and face the camera.
This gives the group a random placement and the shot more
perspective.
Don't tell
people how to stand. Let them choose a spot randomly.
Just start shooting
as they arrive at the destination.
To get your subjects
to relax more, place the camera on a tripod and use the self
timer on the camera. By having the photographer run and jump
into the shot makes everyone smile more naturally.
Change the position
of the shot and have some people touching each other, some
standing, some sitting.
Line the group up
against or behind a wall for something a little different.
As the self timer
goes off get everyone to jump!
For fewer people, get
them to lie down on a slope so that the legs are falling away,
that way you focus on
the facial features.
Get the group (no
matter how stubborn!) to change positions.
This really brings
out a natural smile!
Let the group run
towards you!
HAVE FUN WITH YOUR NEXT GROUP SHOTS
