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I Shoot Large Group Shots With A Telephoto Lens (14 Pics)
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I Shoot Large Group Shots With A Telephoto Lens (14 Pics)

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I am often laughed at and even ridiculed when people find out that I shoot large group shots with a telephoto lens.

I have to agree with most of them that it does look a little ridiculous and is a lot of extra trouble because I have to be so far away and it can be easy to accidentally get someone out of focus.

But for me, it’s totally worth it. Let me explain.

Ever since I started photography back in 2015, I’ve always wanted that really soft and creamy bokeh (blur) in the foreground and background of my images leaving my subject/subjects tack sharp creating a dreamy image. It’s become a big part of my style. Even though not everyone prefers this style, I love it!

When I started doing group shots I wanted to still have that look. Typically you would want to use a wider lens so you would be closer to your subjects, but you won’t have that dreamy blur that I like so much.

I decided, why not shoot like I normally would, with a telephoto lens like 135mm or 200mm?

The downside to using these lenses like this is that you have to be laughably far away. You also have to keep everyone very close together so nobody is out of focus.

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The upside, gorgeous dreamy bokeh, and unique group photos.

Learn how to do this yourself in the videos below.

Also, if you like my style of photography, check out my free photography course on my website.

More info: philliphaumesser.com | Instagram | twitter.com | youtube.com | Facebook

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/400 ISO160

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f2 ART 1/500 ISO1250

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/500 ISO640

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Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/1600 ISO160

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/500 ISO200

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Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f2 ART 1/1000 ISO320

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f2 ART 1/500 ISO100

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Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f2 ART 1/500 ISO125

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/500 ISO160

Sony a7iv Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/500 ISO125

Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f2.5 ART 1/400 ISO400

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Sony a7iii Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/800 ISO100

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Sony a7iv Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART 1/500 ISO160

Nikkor 200mm f2.0 manual focus lens from 1977

How to get everyone in focus in group shots with a narrow aperture?

How Far Away From Your Subjects Were You?

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Phillip Haumesser

Phillip Haumesser

Author, Community member

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Hello, my name is Phillip Haumesser, I am an award winning self taught natural light photographer. My passion is capturing the magic and curiosity of my children in their everyday lives.

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Phillip Haumesser

Phillip Haumesser

Author, Community member

Hello, my name is Phillip Haumesser, I am an award winning self taught natural light photographer. My passion is capturing the magic and curiosity of my children in their everyday lives.

Diana Lopetaitė

Diana Lopetaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

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Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

Read less »

Diana Lopetaitė

Diana Lopetaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

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