Taking photos at a children's concert

[~AJ~]

Hey everyone. I'm currently doing a course using my mums EOS 400D and as much as I'd love to take it to The Wiggles concert to get shots of my son at his first concert, I don't want to risk anything happening to it, as I'm going on my own. So I'm just going to take my little P&S. It's a Canon A470 & I can't find the manual anywhere...

But I'm just wondering if anyone can suggest the best setting to have the camera on? I'll mainly be taking photos of DS as he dances to the music etc... as we're not right up close to the stage (we're not far back, but we're not right up the front either).

If anyone can help, that would be great!

[wulf]

Any idea what the lighting will be in the room? That will make a difference as to whether you are likely to get decent results although, not knowing much about the Canon A470, I can't comment on specific settings.

As a general observation, though, I probably wouldn't bother using the flash. You are likely to be too far away for it to have much effect but it will make the camera assume a well-lit subject and thus your son will probably come out underexposed.

Do any of your friends have more advanced photo gear - eg a DSLR with a fast lens? If so, it might be worth asking if they can take a few shots of your son to share with you.

Wulf

[~AJ~]

Thanks for that Wulf. Well, if we were up closer to the stage it would be lighter, but we're back a little bit - not that they have it as dark as what a concert for adults would be, but it still would be a bit darker I'm assuming. I've been watching the DVD of last years concert to try & work out how dark it is, but it's hard to tell really hehe....

I'm not going with anyone other than my lil man. He's my date for the day. It was such a spur of the moment thing, I didn't even think of seeing who else wanted to come with us - I just wanted to get the tickets as fast as I could so I had a good chance of getting good seats LOL!

I think I might put it on the indoor setting.... but I might actually play around with it while we're waiting for them to come on too - see which setting gives me the better shots.....

Thanks again!

[wulf]

Yes - if you get a chance to test then use it... although they may well have the lights down beforehand and then start using spotlights and so on during the performance. Being able to review the results on the LCD screen is a real boon - you can spot if you are getting bad results and hopefully dial into better settings, so make lots of use of that.

Of course, don't forget to enjoy the performance as well. I don't think I've got any pictures from performances I did as a kid but I've got the memories. Your son will probably benefit more from knowing that he has your attention than from seeing that you've got some great shots.

Wulf

[~AJ~]

Haha - don't worry... I plan to enjoy every moment! I love The Wiggles & have been waiting to have children just so I have an excuse to go & see them LOL!!!!! But I want to make sure I get some shots of his reaction to seeing them live, rather than on a DVD, so want to make sure I get some nice clear ones if I can.

Thanks again for your help. Like I said, if I was going with someone else, I'd take mum's DSLR with me, as then I'd have someone else to watch him while I took photos.... But as I'm on my own with an 18mth old to watch, I'd rather not risk loosing either, or breaking the camera hehe....