GROUPS.
The taking of groups out-of-doors is, since the intro duction of dry plates, a very easy branch of photography.
If the number of persons to be taken be small—two to half a dozen—an attempt should be made to group them with some purpose or intention. The ordinary method is to attempt the representation of a group in ordinary conversation. More ambitious subjects to attempt the representation of are such as may be im when the members of a family receive a letter from one who is abroad ; or when a book or a paper is read to a set of young people or children who are each occupied in some especial employment ; or a card-party may be represented, and so on. Out of certain of these subjects very perfect pictures have been produced, but great artistic taste is necessary to do this.
Where the group consists of a large number the attempt to pose each individual may be at once put on one side, and the only thing to look to is to so arrange the members that all may be as much in focus as possible. To do this it is best to place them in a semicircle, or something approaching it, so that the end figures may be nearer the camera than the centre ones. There may be a row reclining on the ground, immediately behind them a row sitting on chairs or other seats, and behind these again a row standing up.
Groups in an ordinary room are never easy. If more than two or three persons are included they are very difficult, because it is impossible to get all in focus without using a small stop in the lens. When this is done the exposure is much lengthened, whilst the likeli hood of a number of persons remaining still is manifestly much less than when there is only one.
It is unnecessary to add much on the method of operating, as almost all necessary information is to be found in the instructions on taking single portraits indoors and in taking groups out-of-doors. Even the professional photographer is not likely to have a head rest for every member of a group, far less is the amateur. Such positions should therefore be selected as it is easy to retain during some space of time. If it be found that any one individual is a bad sitter he may have the bene fit of the head-rest.
Out-of-doors the same remarks apply to backgrounds for groups as for portraits. Indoors the same back ground which serves for a sitting or standing figure may do for a group of two or three. For a number a special background is required, or, failing that, the walls of the room are made use of.