Need help for photographing night events, parades, etc.

[Mawe]

Hi guys.. I'm an amateur photoblogger who constantly goes out and shoots events for my blog, at all times of the day.

There is a festival coming next month here in my area, and one of the highlights of this festival will be a night parade through the streets. There will be street performers dancing, etc. so I need to know how to do these kind of events and get better shots. I will show you what I mean:



This shot was taken last year using a cheap Samsung S760. ISO was 800, I think. This year, I will be using a Canon EOS 1000D, with its 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit Lens. Not the best DSLR, I know, but definitely better than my old point-and-shoot.

Any help would be really appreciated, guys. Thanks!

[wilswong]

As with any street performance especially at night the key problem would be lighting (or the lack of it). So it is quite important to have an external flash instead of relying on the pop up flash that comes with the camera.

The reason is very simple. The external flash is way more powerful than the one you have on your camera. It is a purchase most necessary for any photographer.

The other 'better' solution is to find an angle and a place where there are stage lights illuminating the performers and boost the ISO to 1250 and above. I personally would not go beyond 1600 though the new bodies today like the Canon 1000D does wonder with very little sensor noise. This way you do not have the flash effect (one patch of white light) in your photo.

If possible, at least invest in a 50mm prime lens at F1.8. it is cheap and sharp and for the focal length, it is 80mm in 35mm film equivalent. A good zoom range for performances. The lens will allow more light to enter the camera and hence requires little or no flash at all.

Some of the photos I took during some street performance by using a 200mm F2.8 Sigma Lens with Nikon D200.

[JeffSmith]

WOW! That lady on the ship is stunning, excellent capture, wilswong. I see what you mean about positioning yourself to get the best background lighting; nice work!

TFS, Jeff

[wulf]

I agree with wilswong's advice. I would also suggest framing images fairly wide. The chances are that you can't stop and carefully frame the action before it moves on. A wider angle of capture does mean you are likely to need some trimming but gives more options on how to frame the final result.

With more experience, you might be able to get the shots you want without having to allow for cropping (wilswong - was that the case with yours?) but it would certainly have helped to have a bit more wiggle room with the photo in Mawe's post.

Wulf

[atulsc]

Thanks guys, taht's a great advice. Last month i went to Universal studios and Disneland and i messed up almost all the shows at night time. Just yesterday i baught 50mm and SB600, it looks like i'm in buisness now...... as far as the gear is concerned :P

[wilswong]

Wulf,

As for me, since I am on the 70-200/2.8 zoom, did not crop my photos that much. Just some 'wayward' crowd heads that needs to be cropped off.

I do agree it is nice to go wide and then crop because of the action. Unless one is a seasoned action/sports photographer, going wide will save some heartache.

But it would be better if one can anticipate what the action is going to be and have continuous shutter on (imagine doing panning).

If I can avoid crop, I would do so. If zoom can't reach, will walk.

[wilswong]

Try to shoot at F2.8 settings without the flash on. No matter what the atmosphere lighting does wonders rather than the harsh flash light.

[Mawe]

thanks lots, guys.. I got some great advice here!

[CatcherT]

Im not 100% sure but I would venture to say that wilswong is a very good photograher that waits patiently for the right angle, and the right light, to me thats obvious in the photos he's displayed.

[Raoul Isidro]

For close up action like the one you posted as sample, you need to invest on a Canon 580 EX II speedlight, and remember to flip the wide angle adapter out and over the lens. Beyond 20 feet, it's useless to use flash on a crowd like this as it will only make the foreground stark white!
Cheers!