What's the most important piece of equipment for a group photo?

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DCReed

New member
I'll second "a sense of humor". Tough to keep everyone "up" and smiling while people get arranged, equipment gets tuned, etc. I've found myself doing something akin to stand-up to keep them all amused.

With kids (teams, etc.) I find it also helps to let them do a goofy shot early on to get them to relax. Eyes crossed, tongues out, pulling someone's hair.

As for eyes closed: piece of cake. Have them all close their eyes and open them on 3. Wait a second, then shoot.
 
I mean, besides the camera, what is something you just can't do without?
I just shot a group of 100 and here's my own answer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/3934376089/

I'd still be interested in hearing what y'all have to say, though.
I had a ladder, 3 Speedlights, and 2 tripods. I did NOT use a tripod for the camera, though, as I didn't want to lash it to the ladder to get it high enough and I was not going to try to run into the picture. People hate that...
Oh yeah. And a whistle.
I pumped +2.0 into the two side flashes, but might have made out better with more...
 
Infinite patience! I know, it's not technically a piece of equipment, right? For short people like me, a higher vantage point helps, so I'll say a ladder of some sort. I do like your answer though. That would help too.
 
Second most important is batteries and media.

A camera is no good without a memory card or film... of course batteries are necessary too unless you have a Nikon FM2 which can give a 1/200th shutter speed mechanically.

Tripod is third on the list and then the attention of the audience.

For this part, I've always done multiple exposures so that I can fix blinking eyes, missing smiles, turned heads, open mouths and other stupid things mass gatherings will produce in post production.

The whistle works for dogs and police but seldom gets the undivided attention of the masses - for that, I prefer explosives.

Just kidding - but got your attention though... I saw that !!!
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lol , my family had a gathering a week or so back and i had to yell out from them to smile and pay attention , though some of the really little kids would still not look at me no matter what. A whistle is a good idea
 
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