Shooting a Mass

Well, today was an interesting one.  I was asked my one of former co-workers from The Laurinburg Exchange, Matt Smith, if I could lend my photography skills and help with this year's graduating class as the seniors were wanted to pose and form "2012" on Pate Stadium's field. 
I thought this could be a simple task, but after the first attempt, I knew we were up for a challenge lol.  When I arrived for the first shoot, the persons who laid out the outline in the field only formed a "12" which was obviously too small to fit 300+ students into, so that wasn't a  successful shot of course.
 After such issues, Matt, I and his Publications class came up with several ideas that would make the shot a better one.  We asked the field drafters to center the "2012" outline and spread it wider so when shooting from my 45-47 degree angle (the top of the bleachers), it would be more obvious that we're shooting this formed number.
WELL, you can't always get what you wish for lol.  Not only were we not center, but again the 2012 was not spread out so the distinction in the 2's was evident.  So, we had to try and improvise and take the shot, while 300+ seniors were unable to sit still lol.  All in all, it still was fun and hopefully next year's planning can be better.  Maybe they'll resort to what we used to do and shoot everyone standing or sitting in the bleachers.  That would have been the wiser shot and more controllable one.

Thanks to the Matt, the principals, faculty & staff for their help, patience and constant hustle to keep the students attentive and in their positions!  Hats off to you all ...lol... I have even more respect for teachers now! 

Here's a before and after of the shots:

Before:

For the edit, I took the "S" out because it wasn't centered, and tried to enhance the grass to make it greener.  I also enhanced the red.  

I still think it's a little hard to make out the "2012" but it looks okay :)

After: