DigaPixBlog

Formal group photographs present the problem of getting all the subjects to look their best at exactly the same time.  The larger the group the more chances someone will have their eyes closed or exhibited an unappealing posture.  So when shooting three or more people in a formal setting I would suggest that you take multiple exposures because you won’t see the problems until the image is blown up.

This group of three men is arranged in a very imaginative way.  One of the foreground subjects overlaps the man at the far wall giving them a physical connection even though there is a separation by depth.  By placing one of the subjects at the distant wall it not only gives depth to the composition but a bit story to the photograph.  The fellow on the left is separate and alone looking off in a different direction from the other two men.  The use of the gold background behind the primary subject draws our attention to him.

There are a couple of observations I would like to make.  The two subjects on the right, while in posed positions look comfortable and relaxed while the person on the left comes across as uncomfortable and a little out of place in the way he is standing with his hands at his side.  The photographer was standing below the subjects and this caused the columns, particularly the one on the right, to keystone and appears to be leaning into the scene.  One final thing I would like to make the photographer aware of.  The image appears to be out of focus.  This could be a softening filter but it would be more acceptable if the image were sharper.

   Click on Image 

     Marked Up 

Share This