How would you do 24 kid's portraits in 5 minutes?

[Wayne R. Scott]

I was asked to photograph the local elementary school's drama club players just before their evening performance. I was given 10 minutes to set up, photo each child individually, do a group shot of the entire cast and be off the stage for the curtain call.

How would you go about doing this type of shoot? What would you use for equipment?

Wayne

 

[back alley]

i would thank them for the offer and decline.

that's insane pressure.

joe

 

[sbug]

I'd agree with Joe. Otherwise, hire lots of assistants.

 

[MinorTones]

Either set up a date where you have more time, or do something those "picture factories" do.

Set up a small background with lighting and a seat. Set your camera on a tripod. Get them lined up like an assembly line.

Have the subject sit pose him/her in a simple pose to direct and perform. Shoot three frames to make sure the eyes are open, and they have a decent expression.

Move on to the next one. Get yourself set up and you will be fine.

If you can make sure the subject and yourself are somewhat alone, out of sight of the other kids, because those other kids can be a real distraction. I worked for Lifetouch for about a month(yeah it sucked) and that pretty much how we did things.

It becomes an assembly line with no feeling, but in the time you have been given that is all the customer can expect imo. You will do a good job though have confidence.

-Mitch

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Thanks guys, but you are too late. I have already done the shoot.

I used a Leica M2 with a Canon 50mm f1.8, one mono light on stand with no reflector and hand held the Leica. I watched for closed eyes at the time of flash and if they were closed I took another shot. (Happened 3 times) I could never have seen the closed eyes with a SLR. I used a CV 35mm f2.5 for the group shot.
Wayne

 

[back alley]

even at 30 seconds apeice it would take 12 minutes.

 

[BrianShaw]

I've written three different respinses and just deleted all of my thoughts... now htat I've thought it through, here's what I'd do if I were you.

1. Insist that this can only be done prior to the performance (at a dress rehearsal if the kids are to be photographed in costume) with more time allocated to the photo session.

or

2. Turn down the opportunity.

As described, it sounds like a "suicide mission".

EDIT: Wayne... you're the man! Did you get all 24 kids plus the group shot in the 10 minutes???

 

[back alley]

ok, so tell us how ya done it...

😉

 

[FrankS]

Those conditions would be pushing it if it were professional actors. This is an elementary school drama club for _____'s sake! Clearly they aren't respecting you and your service. I'd do it for them, but not with those constraints.

 

[MinorTones]

I'm sure they will be very happy with those shots. I was taking a different approach in my post, but you did something I think the folks who hired you will like more than what I was suggesting.

-Mitch

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I'm sure they will be very happy with those shots. I was taking a different approach in my post, but you did something I think the folks who hired you will like more than what I was suggesting.

-Mitch

Mitch,

You were on the right track and I would have done it your way if I had been given more time.

Wayne

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

EDIT: Wayne... you're the man! Did you get all 24 kids plus the group shot in the 10 minutes???

Yes Brian I did get all of the shots. It turned into a game for the kids as they would run into the set, strike a pose and I would take the shot and the next kid would run in at the flash. Maybe 5 to 10 seconds per shot. Not great art, but real expressions of the kids.

Wayne

 

[popstar]

Ah, Wayne, you were just setting us up weren't you by asking what we'd do and then completing the assignment while we post responses?! 😉

Seriously, considering what you had to work with the photos you posted look good. Not enviable circumstances, but you did what was needed to get the job done. Nobody can complain you didn't put forth your best effort.

Nice job!

 

[MinorTones]

Drama kids are natural hams and the fact that you made it into a game for them both really helped your situation.

VOGUE!

-Mitch

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Ah, Wayne, you were just setting us up weren't you by asking what we'd do and then completing the assignment while we post responses?! 😉

Seriously, considering what you had to work with the photos you posted look good. Not enviable circumstances, but you did what was needed to get the job done. Nobody can complain you didn't put forth your best effort.

Nice job!

My wife volunteered me for the job. It went something like this:

She, "Do you have any film for your cameras?"

Me, "Why of course I have film!"

She, "Good, because I told Cheryl (the Drama Coach) that you would photograph all of the kids in their costumes before the play."

Me, "Ummm, when is this play?"

She, "Tonight, 35 minutes from now."

Me, "ARRRRRGGHHHHHH!"

Here are a few more:

Wayne

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Here's the group shot:

Wayne

 

[rogue_designer]

8x10 camera - big softbox

two group shots - one as you have it, and one where they are all standing a few feet apart so you can scan them out seperately (eliminating the need for individual shots)

😀

Nice work under the conditions. Good thing that casual was the order of the day for the individual shots - posing them in such a short amount of time would have required more foul language than ought to be spoken at an elementary school.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

8x10 camera - big softbox

two group shots - one as you have it, and one where they are all standing a few feet apart so you can scan them out seperately (eliminating the need for individual shots)

😀

.

Funny you should mention the 8x10. I am doing the drama coach's extended family portraits on Thanksgiving and I am hauling out the Kodak 2D for some of the group shots and a few individual portraits. I have a Vitax soft focus lens I have been wanting to try out. Hopefully I get more than 10 minutes for the family shoot!!

F32 and be there;................. 20 minutes early!!

Wayne

 

[Xmas]

Wane

Insist on front seat centre stage and both curtain side, use fast film and your 1.4mm 50mm or f2 85mm. Shoot candids available light.

Parents will really like the photo call style shots, you may too.

Noel

 

[thafred]

I´d borrow my good friends F4 and shoot those 24 kids in 4.8sec

get in line everybody ... smile ...tatatatatatatata
😀