New Help Planning a Group Photo

[LenDog]

I'm preparing to do something I've never tried to do well before, a Group photo shot. This is unpaid, co-workers, not a professional job, and I could use some advice in preparing.

The photo will be outdoors and the group will be 15 adults. I expect the group will be front lit, facing East in the morning, and against a relatively plain background (a building, watching out for windows and other distractions). I will also be in the photo, so I'm using the timer and recruiting some help to "press the shutter". I'll train the help.

I'm looking for a high quality 8x10 result.

This is my gear:
Sony @330 DSLR
Tamron 17-50mm Lens
Kit 70-200mm Lens
Tripod (will be used)
CPL (if needed?)

My questions are:
- Which lens of the 2 is the best for this shoot, and recommended focal length?
- How should my tripod be positioned, eye level, higher or lower?
- On the off chance that this will be a sunny day in Germany, should I consider using the CPL?
- I'm looking for tack sharp, any advice on camera placement versus focal length to acheive the best hyperfocal distance?
- There will not be steps or anything else to vary the height of the group, recommendations on posing would be greatly appreciated. It's a Military unit, so some formality in the posing is acceptable, to consider in your recommendations.
- Should I take photos from different perspectives, and if so please recommend perspectives.
- How much space should I leave in the framing in order to crop for an 8x10?

Anything else you can think of that I didn't ask, please feel free to add.

Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by LenDog

- Which lens of the 2 is the best for this shoot, and recommended focal length?

Your Tamron 17-70, most likely. 70-200 is far too long for what you want, unless you want the tripod set up about 40 yards away

Originally Posted by LenDog

- How should my tripod be positioned, eye level, higher or lower?

Usually about mid-torso (just below the sternum). This helps with perspective.

Originally Posted by LenDog

- On the off chance that this will be a sunny day in Germany, should I consider using the CPL?

What for? SInce youre avoiding windows (no glass) and there won't be anything shiny, there's no need

Originally Posted by LenDog

- I'm looking for tack sharp, any advice on camera placement versus focal length to acheive the best hyperfocal distance?

Hyperfocal distance has nothing to do with it. You'll want to focus on the people, not for the entire scene.

Originally Posted by LenDog

- There will not be steps or anything else to vary the height of the group, recommendations on posing would be greatly appreciated. It's a Military unit, so some formality in the posing is acceptable, to consider in your recommendations.

Tall in back, short in front. You may have to get something for people to stand on, even if it's only a few inches high.

Originally Posted by LenDog

- Should I take photos from different perspectives, and if so please recommend perspectives.

Like different angles? Not likely needed. Unless youre trying to be creative (and give your coworkers a headache), dont bother.

Originally Posted by LenDog

- How much space should I leave in the framing in order to crop for an 8x10?

Remember than an 8x10 is considerably more square. Give yourself a fair bit of room, about 1/5th of the frame on either side. If you have gridlines on the focusing screen enabled, then a bit closer to centre than halfway between the edge and the first gridline. When in doubt, zoom out.