Need help with large group photo...

[thestrangebrew1]

My daughter's swim coach asked if I could take some team pics because they haven't had a team photo in a few years and it's probably one of the largest teams they've had since the beginning.

The pool deck is shown below:

I have a few problems:

1. Approx. 80 people, toddlers to teens.
2. Time of day: 4pm. The sun would be on the upper left of the image, so palm tree shadows would be opposite of image.
3. What lens?
Options I own: 50 mm, 10-18mm, 24 mm pancake, 18-55mm (kit), 85mm, 55-255mm (kit)

My thoughts are that because the sun will be located to the west (left on this image) the best place to put the kids is at Option A in the image above so that their faces would be in the light and won't have shadows. I would be taking the pics from the opposite end of the pool of Option A. However, it's very tight and it would be a challenge getting all the kids to squeeze in tight enough.

Option B is to have them on the north end of the pool looking south at me. This would cause shadows on the left side of their faces due to the sun. Pro is that there is more room, and the distance between myself and the kids is slightly shorter.

Based on this, which orientation would you choose and with what lens above?

Other info: I'll most likely setup a tripod for the shoot, and I assume depending on the option chosen, I'll have to have a smaller aperture to get everyone in focus as possible.

So...thoughts/suggestions. Will be shooting in a week (they just approached me a few days ago and swim season ends in 2 weeks).

EDIT: I'll also most likely just print 8x10s at Costco, so I'll need to leave room for cropping. So most likely no panorama shots.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

No suggestions? lol. Am I over my head or thinking too much about this?

 

[turtile]

I would use the 50mm but I think that is all going to depend on the option due to distance unless you plan to go into the pool. I don't use wide angle lenses because of the distortion at the edges.

Optional A will give the best lighting but it might be too bright and force everyone to squint. Even option B will be trouble assuming the sun reflects off the water sideways into people's eyes.

 

[Red Squirrel]

One thing to consider is if they are facing the sun they will be squinting a lot.

I would go with option B but try to convince them to just do it at a different time so the shadows are not an issue.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Thanks guys. I decided I'm going to use both a 50mm and a 24mm on 2 different cameras. A friend of mine is going to let me borrow her camera for the shot. Unfortunately, I'll only have 1 tripod to take the pic. I'll be shooting Option A, with the sun in their face, but I'll have them close their eyes and tell them to open when I'm ready and shoot it then. We'll see how it turns out!

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Follow up. I think the shot was a success. Not all the kids showed up, but there was a good amount. The 50 mm worked out the best IMO. Here's the cropped shot. Print came out really well, Costco did a good job.

From what I can tell, only 2 kids failed to look my way and everyone else seems to have their eyes open and smiling. I think they'll dig it.

 

[Syborg1211]

Great job! Much better than I could have done. Groups are tough!

 

[luv2liv]

pretty good job!
for big group shots, i usually use the drone. arrange them in patterns. here's a simple 1