Flash recommendations needed for golfing tournament & party

[bsneugebauer]

Hi,

I am helping out this weekend with a golf tournament and the after party where they are giving awards out at the club house. I have a Canon EOS XT Rebel with no additional flash. I would like to use continuous shooting while the tournament is going on, but realize I will be dealing with being in the trees and harsh shadows. Any recommendations on how I should set up my shots for this situation? Do you think my camera flash will be enough?

And as for the club house, I don't know if we'll be outside or inside for the most part, but during the time of the awards we'll mostly be inside and it's a dark room. If I were to borrow or go buy an external flash to set up on a tri-pod ( I have a tri-pod and hopefully it will work), any recommendations on what to ask to borrow or what to buy? If I buy, I want it to be quality but doesn't need to be the best, unless there results/functionality are better then anything else out there.

And last question, this is all last minute. If I buy online, any recommendations for where I should shop?

Thank you!
Brooke

[Oracheski]

Using a flash while people are golfing won't make you very popular. As in...at all.

It's impossible to tell you what you'd need for the after party and awards without seeing the room. A Speedlite or similar flash should be enough for it though.

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome.
Quite a little task in front of you.
For the outside shots, it would be good to know if you are going to be in one spot (a tee box) and the golfers will come to you...or if you are going to try and catch all the golfers on different tee boxes. In the first scenario, you have a bit more leverage in how the shot will be taken. For example you could have scouted out a spot that is in shade, a spot that doesn't have a lot of distracting elements in the background etc. Being in one spot would also allow you to set up a scrim or gobo to cut out the direct light. If on the other hand you don't have that flexibility and need to shoot in open daylight, you can use your flash to fill in the deep shadows. A pop up will work but you will probably want to dial down the output a bit so it looks more natural and less like a flash was used. Same goes if you elect to use an external flash. On your indoor deal, unless you are planning on a static "studio" type set up for portaits, skip the flash on a tripod...more likely you will be run and gun shooting candids, an external flash will be pretty much required. If you buy, buy a Canon flash that tilts and swivels so you can bounce flash...somethng like the 430 or 530...