Newbie new year's party shoot question

[kuul13]

A quick first timer party shoot question. I am suppose to shoot some new year's party pictures of people with local celebrities. Since this is the first time for me I want to know couple of things:
I am shooting indoors at night with available lights (in a hall). I have my Nikon D80, 50mm 1.8G and 18-135mm plus a sigma flash light(external). Seeing the performance of 18-135mm at night I am scared of using it but then I will loose full body shots of the guests. With 50mm I will get better results, good focus and half body shots.


I want to know in these type of events what shooting style should I use - full body or only upper body shots? How do you manage to keep both guests and organizers happy with your pictures. What do you think, which lens should I use today or juggle both (which would be a pain considering the time spent).


Any help and tips would be appreciated...!!! Thanks in advance.

[doctorjames]

well for starters it should be your 'client' that you are asking these questions of, not of course which lens to use, but what they want shot.

Did they really just say 'come and shoot the evening for us'?.....

[SwissJon]

I'm absolutely amazed at the number of people that come along with the same questions.

I've got an entry level camera, a slow lens and a 50mm prime and no flash and I need to know everything you know because it's starting in 2 hours. How do I shoot like a pro?

We get the same for parties and weddings.. The answer is fairly simple.. You can't.

In your case, perhaps it's a bit less drastic because you've go a flash.. So use it with your 18-135 and do the best you can..

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by doctorjames

well for starters it should be your 'client' that you are asking these questions of, not of course which lens to use, but what they want shot.

Did they really just say 'come and shoot the evening for us'?.....

They asked to come and shoot the guess on entrance and then with the local celebrity.

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I'm absolutely amazed at the number of people that come along with the same questions.

I've got an entry level camera, a slow lens and a 50mm prime and no flash and I need to know everything you know because it's starting in 2 hours. How do I shoot like a pro?

We get the same for parties and weddings.. The answer is fairly simple.. You can't.

In your case, perhaps it's a bit less drastic because you've go a flash.. So use it with your 18-135 and do the best you can..

I know how we newbies are. But thanks for your prompt response and the suggestion. I will do my best with 18-135mm.

[Bruce A]

Good luck Sri - Use Jon's suggestion, I'm sure you'll do fine.

[SwissJon]

Bounce the flash off the ceiling, don't point it directly at their faces..

I'd suggest a torso shot would be best, depending on how close they get. People tend lo squint at full body shots to see the faces, so if you can get them close enough to the celeb.

[doctorjames]

Ive looked through your photos on flickr, and was pleasantly surprised.

You seem to have an idea what makes for a good shot, especially candid shots of people.

I would try and run with that as best you can, try not to make the photography tonight formal, and avoid too many posed shots, if of course your brief allows for that.

I would get there now, and work out where how/where to shoot. Make sure you have plenty of batteries for your flash charges, and make sure you know how to use it/set it up.

If you havent shot with flash before, get some practice in, quickly.

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

Good luck Sri - Use Jon's suggestion, I'm sure you'll do fine.

Bruce sorry for such a late response.. bbt I appreciate your wishes and am glad that I got good responses in time. Though the shoot was neither great nor bad. It was a great learning experience.

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Bounce the flash off the ceiling, don't point it directly at their faces..

I'd suggest a torso shot would be best, depending on how close they get. People tend lo squint at full body shots to see the faces, so if you can get them close enough to the celeb.

Thanks Jon, your suggestion worked well for me.. 18-135mm, torso shots and flash. But only thing that I need to learn is lighting. bouncing the flash off the ceiling was tough, may be I was doing it for the first time and results were too underexposed shots. I think the lighting there was not photographer friendly. I will get y own lights for next event for sure. So many things to learn, I hope next shoot would be better.

Originally Posted by doctorjames

Ive looked through your photos on flickr, and was pleasantly surprised.

You seem to have an idea what makes for a good shot, especially candid shots of people.

I would try and run with that as best you can, try not to make the photography tonight formal, and avoid too many posed shots, if of course your brief allows for that.

I would get there now, and work out where how/where to shoot. Make sure you have plenty of batteries for your flash charges, and make sure you know how to use it/set it up.

If you havent shot with flash before, get some practice in, quickly.

James, really appreciate your lovely words. The shoot was not very impressive due to bad lighting and the backdrop. A good learning experience, that made me create my own DIY backdrop with lighting system. I am uploading some pictures now for critique to see how can I better my shoot.