Bar Photography: Tips please!

[griffgo]

Hi I'm new to this forum and I'm really interested in bar photography. Unfortunately I don't have a wide angle lens or any fancy equipment. I'm a student photographer with a Nikon D40x with the 18-55 lens f/3.5-5.6G. If anyone has any suggestions, they are greatly greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
Griffin

[sk66]

best suggestion on a budget....
Get a 50mm 1.8 or faster...about $100.
Also, find some way of stabilizing the camera. A small tripod can be cumbersome and attract attention. A "T Plate" of 3/16-1/4" aluminum (or just a square) and a recessed screw on the bottom of the camera will act as a good tabletop "foot"....much less obvious.

[OsmosisStudios]

Depends on what youre shooting.

Live music at a pub? 50mm would be great, just make sure to stop down to f/2 or f/2.8 or so and raise the ISO.

Nightclubs? 50 will be too long: 35 might work best. Even then, though, you'll want some kind of external flash system: either of the Sb400 or 600

[Photoboothguy]

Depends on what you're doing. I freelance for a local paper, and take photographs of bartneders for them on a monthly basis.

Every bar is different, and you have to be able to adapt to the situation. I typically shoot with a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 (at f2.8), ISO400, 1/80th, and use a 580exII bounce off the ceiling or wall. If the ceiling or wall is dark, an omnibounce or Fong diffuser also works. The 50mm f1.4 is also a fine choice for bar work, and is a personal favorite of mine.

I'd definitely recommend getting an external flash. Without one, it's hard to get great images in dark bars, even with an f1.4 lens.