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<blockquote data-quote="Revet" data-source="post: 221411" data-attributes="member: 17612">My mom's 90th birthday party is Thanksgiving weekend and the family has given the group photo task to me.&nbsp; It will indoors in a restaurants party room. The picture will have about 50 to 60 people in it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here is what I will be using, a Nikon D3100, two speedlights (nikon 600 and 700), a remote shutter release, and 3 tripods.&nbsp; I do have diffusion domes for both flashes.&nbsp; The lens will be a Tamron 18-270 zoom of which I plan to stay at 100 or less mm.First, I will shoot it in manual so I would like a rough idea of a starting point for an f stop to give me enough range to get everyone in focus (I would guess somewhere from 8 to 11 to get everyone).&nbsp; Also a starting point for a shutter speed would be helpful&nbsp; (1/125??)&nbsp; I plan to focus (spot) on someone's face about a third of the way back.Here is where I get lost.&nbsp; I plan to use the two speedlights on remote mode at 45 degree angles to the group and trigger them with my on-camera flash.&nbsp; I should be able to bounce them off the ceiling to soften the light.&nbsp; If I bounce them, should I still use the diffusion domes?&nbsp; or should I bounce with the card out to highlight the eyes?? or maybe use the diffusion domes without bouncing??&nbsp; &nbsp; I will be triggering both flashes with my on-camera flash but since the D3100 does not have a commander function, does the whole TTL and Creative Lighting thing-a-ma-jig still work???? Does it work if the diffusion dome is on when used in this way?&nbsp; or should I just set them up in manual mode??&nbsp;&nbsp; HELP!!!I understand that I will have to do a final flash compensation after a few tests shots but I could really use some advice here since my family can get impatient quickly if I am farting around a lot!!!!&nbsp; Especially if consuming mass quantities of beverages!!!!!Please don't tell me to purchase that nice Nikon trigger system that allows me to use TTL on a 3100 for about $300.&nbsp; I am saving for an upgraded body but just can't swing it yet&nbsp; (the family should chip in for me!!!!!)</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Revet, post: 221411, member: 17612"] My mom's 90th birthday party is Thanksgiving weekend and the family has given the group photo task to me. It will indoors in a restaurants party room. The picture will have about 50 to 60 people in it. Here is what I will be using, a Nikon D3100, two speedlights (nikon 600 and 700), a remote shutter release, and 3 tripods. I do have diffusion domes for both flashes. The lens will be a Tamron 18-270 zoom of which I plan to stay at 100 or less mm. First, I will shoot it in manual so I would like a rough idea of a starting point for an f stop to give me enough range to get everyone in focus (I would guess somewhere from 8 to 11 to get everyone). Also a starting point for a shutter speed would be helpful (1/125??) I plan to focus (spot) on someone's face about a third of the way back. Here is where I get lost. I plan to use the two speedlights on remote mode at 45 degree angles to the group and trigger them with my on-camera flash. I should be able to bounce them off the ceiling to soften the light. If I bounce them, should I still use the diffusion domes? or should I bounce with the card out to highlight the eyes?? or maybe use the diffusion domes without bouncing?? I will be triggering both flashes with my on-camera flash but since the D3100 does not have a commander function, does the whole TTL and Creative Lighting thing-a-ma-jig still work???? Does it work if the diffusion dome is on when used in this way? or should I just set them up in manual mode?? HELP!!! I understand that I will have to do a final flash compensation after a few tests shots but I could really use some advice here since my family can get impatient quickly if I am farting around a lot!!!! Especially if consuming mass quantities of beverages!!!!! Please don't tell me to purchase that nice Nikon trigger system that allows me to use TTL on a 3100 for about $300. I am saving for an upgraded body but just can't swing it yet (the family should chip in for me!!!!!) [/QUOTE]

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