Group Portrait Lighting & Depth of Field Calculator
Start with your own readings. Calculate the change, verify a frame, and save what works.
Group portrait solver
Plan row evenness, available space, and a depth-of-field starting point.
Plan even light and acceptable focus separately
A group needs both reasonably consistent illumination and enough depth of field. This solver checks each requirement using explicit geometry and sharpness assumptions, then helps you plan a test.
- Enter the group width and depth, camera-to-eye distances and the room available for your light.
- Choose a lighting tolerance and depth-of-field criterion. Review the light placement and aperture starting points separately.
- Meter the front and rear corners. Photograph the nearest and farthest eyes, inspect at the intended output size, and refine.
Doubling the source distance reduces point-source illumination by two stops. Moving a light farther from a group can reduce front-to-back variation, but requires more output and may make the source appear smaller.
Does this guarantee every face is sharp?
No. The model uses an ideal thin lens and a chosen circle of confusion. Motion, focus accuracy, lens performance and viewing size still matter.
Is group depth always the same as lighting depth?
No. This tool states its centered, front-light geometry. Side or elevated lights require actual source-to-subject distances and test readings.
By Dwayne of DNA Premium Portraits, Sacramento-area portrait photographer. See formulas, assumptions and equipment sources.
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