If you've ever browsed online in your friend's photo album of a group outing, there's always one or two people not focused on the camera. There's also a lot of other stuff going on in the background and “photo-bombing” is bound to occur. Photo-bombing is when you take a picture, and you don't realize there are people or actions going on in the background that “mess up” the shot unintentionally. This phenomenon has several sites dedicated to its comedic timing, but unless this wasn't your purpose, there are several ways to get your friends together to take great group shots.

Direct Your Group, But Let Them be Themselves

If you want to make sure that your group of friends or group that your photographing professionally keeps their focus, make sure they know what is happening at all times. Give them clues as to when to look directly at you or direct them according to their wishes and your timing. For instance, if they want to jump at the same time, give them a “count down” or other visual cue to let them know when its time to jump. If you don't, you could have half of your group jumping, and the rest of the group waiting to start. Make sure you have everyone's focus and they have given you instructions on what type of picture they want and everyone is aware and understands given clues, commands, and actions. This way, as stated before, everyone is on the same page and no one “messes up” the photo.

Use The Scenery To Make a More Interesting Shot

Most group photos that take place on a cruise ship, tourist locations or other locations would be boring if the observer can not tell where the photo was taken. Use your background and any visual clues you can to make for a more interesting shot and tell a story for your group's friends and family. If you are taking these shots for fun, this technique will wow your friends. Backgrounds add to the context of the photo and help tell a story.

Techniques and Camera Settings to Use

If you are shooting a large group or a small group, the setting that helps get the entire crowd into a shot is the aperture settings. Using aperture priority mode and smaller F-stops will give you a wider focus and shallow depth of field. For smaller groups, you could try correcting the f-stops to higher settings. When you take group photos, make sure you avoid direct sunlight. Not only can this produce unflattering shadows, but also affect how your group looks individually. Sunlight, makeup, and hair color do not always compliment one another and with a group of people, it could be difficult to flatter everyone's individual styles.

Creativity is Key

Making your group comfortable is the key to a great shot. Talk to them if you are a professional photographer. Get to know a little about their personalities and let them tell you what they want for the shot. If there are more outgoing personalities than shy personalities it may be easier to get a great “candid” group photo by letting them direct themselves and just giving a “cue”. Shyer people may be more difficult to work with and you may need to be ready to make suggestions.

To get a great group shot, you need to be aware of personalities, lighting and scenery. Some groups may have a designated person they deem as the “leader” or “decision maker” of the group, and others may not. You need to direct the crowd and mesh with their personalities to avoid conflict and get a good shot. Unless you are creating a professional “photo bomb” photo, you need to make sure everyone's in tune with the group and their surroundings.

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