After a quick search I didn't find anyone with advice on this large of a group. I am doing a non-profit shoot for a local basketball outreach program. The idea is to put all the teams together to get to large 20x30 prints made. The group size is 115 in a gym with a stage and some risers. Posing shouldn't be an issue, but lighting might be. I have some studio lights and SB800s as well as a 60" convertible umbrella. I can fire with pocket wizards to.

What I am thinking is taking the skill the amazing Zach Arias gave me and bring in the ambient light and enhance it with the 60". What about fall off? How far would the spread of a 60" be if I put it right behind me, the camera? Is this the right approach?

Matt--

My wife's high school reunion (20 years) was this past weekend and they did a big group photo with 100+ people on risers. The photographer had two strobes w/ reflectors (but no other modifiers) at each end of the group as well as a strobe (it looked like a 120j or something similar) on his camera at the middle of the group. And he was blasting away at an aperture smaller than f/11 to ensure everyone was in focus from front to back.



Of course, you wouldn't have to do it this way but simpler might be better. As David Hobby says, sometimes you hit for average.

My two cents--

Michael

I do a band competition with groups up to 300, and light them with 2 Powerlight 1250's, with just the stock parabolic on them, no diffusers. I stand on the stage in the amphitheater and use the terraced seating area for the bands. I drag the shutter as much as possible, shooting for as close to f11 as I can get, f16 if possible. It works. It ain't art, but it works.

So is it a two light set up usually? I can do that, but like you say simple would be nice. Good point on the high F-Stop usage. I also see myself taking several frames to make sure all eyes are open and looking at me. I would hate to spend time in PS moving heads. Thanks for the info guys!

I do about 4-5, then I tell them we're going to do a fun one. I tell them at the count of 5 they can do anything they want that doesn't harm anyone or embarrass the photographer. I get some cool stuff that always sells. But yeah, 2 light, because that keeps you from having shadows on faces. My lights are pretty close together, about 20 feet apart, and shooting almost straight out. Keep some of the light pattern overlapping in the middle and you'll be able to keep a pretty even exposure across the group.