First Gig it's a 60th Anniv. in a Dark Room ..Help! Need Tips!

[lash_2003]

I own a Nikon D60 and I started doing photography simply because I enjoyed doing it. After awhile I had enough people persuade me to attempt to do it professionally. I have no professional traning all I have is an artistic eye. I'm also very good at editing photos(taking images out, changing lights and textures, adding effects, etc.) My best friends mother has asked me to take the pictures of her parent's 60th anniversary. I only asked for $100 because it is my first gig and I need the photos for a portfolio. I also said I would give her a cd with the pictures on them so she could print them out(they have a LARGE family) Also; It will be in a dance hall and there will be a dance so I'm expecting a majority of the party to be dark. Any tips on how to make sure the pics look great(mind you I'm still learning apeture, shutter speed,etc)? And as far as pictures go how much do I focus on taking pictures of guest? Any tips I would greatly appreciate!

[zona5101]

Seems to me this would be shot photojournalist style...meaning mostly candids of people interacting, smiles, dancing, having fun. I am sure there will be a few more formal moments such as speeches and toasts that you'll need to know about...so ask what the plans are.
Bounce flash will probably be your best lighting choice.

[Mike367]

Read this: http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-pho...hy-techniques/

[lash_2003]

Thank you for the advice.

[Biomech]

Definately get a flash. And as you;re only charging $100 tell them you'll take a big order and go and get them printed in one go. Then add a bit to the cost per print.

[GreggObst]

I would go and check out the dance hall before hand and see if they have a foyer or vestibule area outside the dance hall and throughout the night, try pulling individuals, couples and small groups out into the foyer area and finding a non-busy background area that you can use as a background for portraits. The lighting is sure to be better out there and you may have the opportunity to use some bounce flash if the walls are light colored. With the combination of candids in the hall and the portraits out in the foyer area, you should have a a good mix of shots to present to them.

[lash_2003]

I wish I had the option of bounce flash. I recently just moved to a new city and I haven't found a job yet so unfortunatley I do not have the income to purchase new accesories for my camera. It simply comes down to me and my D-60 and the lense it came with. But thank you for all the wonderful tips.

[Mike367]

I think without an external flash you are dead. I haven't used this, but from the review it seems it will do the job, though a little under powered. Way better than the pop-up. Amazon has it for about $73.

Yongnuo YN-467 Speedlite Review (Canon / Nikon Flash) | Speedlights.net

Maybe you can rent or borrow an SB 900 or similar unit.

[lonni]

If you cant get a hold of a decent flash make a difuser for your on camera flash, ask a camera or developing store for an old transparent white film canister, cut a hole in the side and stick it over the flash. It will be a bit of an improvementm but wont be as good as a speedlight etc, but it will help take out the harshness of teh flash, you cant edit that out.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by lash_2003

I wish I had the option of bounce flash. I recently just moved to a new city and I haven't found a job yet so unfortunatley I do not have the income to purchase new accesories for my camera. It simply comes down to me and my D-60 and the lense it came with. But thank you for all the wonderful tips.

See if you can rent a Speedlite and/or a faster lens. If not locally, you could try an online site like borrowlenses.com (though I have not used them myself so this is not a recommendation). On-camera flash looks terrible, and shooting in a dimly lit room without flash (my specialty) requires fast lenses, at least f/2.8.