Advice on taking photos in a school gym

[corco66]

Hi all - first time posting here, although I have been lurking and learning a lot. Thanks DPS! On Wednesday I will be photographing our annual "Grandparents & Special Friends" visiting day at our elementary school and I am particularly interested in any advice you might have for me.

The situation is this: A cavernous gym complex with no natural light, huge overhead flourescent lights so strong that the blonde wood floor often seems washed out. The children are ages 4 -14 and will be performing songs and skits in front of me. Due to limited space I will be mostly limited to taking photos from a seated position on the floor and will probably be directly in front of them. My equipment is as follows:

Canon Rebel T2i
Canon Prime Lens 18-55mm
Canon Zoom Lens 55-250mm
Canon Macro Lens 50 mm

I don't plan on using a flash but other than that I am open to any and all suggestions! I'm mostly concerned with capturing their faces and not the space around them.

Thanks in advance,
Corco66

[OsmosisStudios]

Rent a 24-70 f/2.8.

[corco66]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Rent a 24-70 f/2.8.

Sadly, I don't have the time or the budget to do that OsmosisStudios. Anyone else have suggestions?

[RichardTaylor]

OsmosisStudios

+1

and also I would suggest a Canon 135 F2 or 200 F2.8 as it will give you a bit more reach.

I would initially shoot at a high ISO (1600 at least) and aperture priory with the lens wide open and take what ever shutter speed you can get.
If you find you have more than enough light I would reduce the aperture, and then the ISO to suit.
I would try to keep my shutter speed at least to 1/100 (if shooting with the 24-70 at the long end) and 1/200 (if shooting with the 135) and 1/300 (If shooting with the 200mm) to stop blur caused by camera shake. Be sure to use the lens hoods.


Edit:
What's the maximum aperture of the 50mm macro?
If it is F2.8 then use that if it has enough reach.

Otherwise use either of your other 2 lenses wide open and have the IS on and use the same principals as my words above and take what ever shutter speed you can get.
Because if the IS you will be able to shoot at slower shutter speeds (like 1/20 etc) but keep in mind at these slow shutter speed subject motion may be a problem so I would try to make it 1/50 at least (with the 18-55) and 1/100 with the 55--250..

[corco66]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

OsmosisStudios

+1

and also I would suggest a Canon 135 F2 or 200 F2.8 as it will give you a bit more reach.

I would initially shoot at a high ISO (1600 at least) and aperture priory with the lens wide open and take what ever shutter speed you can get.
If you find you have more than enough light I would reduce the aperture, and then the ISO to suit.
I would try to keep my shutter speed at least to 1/100 (if shooting with the 24-70 at the long end) and 1/200 (if shooting with the 135) and 1/300 (If shooting with the 200mm) to stop blur caused by camera shake. Be sure to use the lens hoods.


Edit:
What's the maximum aperture of the 50mm macro?
If it is F2.8 then use that if it has enough reach.

Otherwise use either of your other 2 lenses wide open and have the IS on and use the same principals as my words above and take what ever shutter speed you can get.
Because if the IS you will be able to shoot at slower shutter speeds (like 1/20 etc) but keep in mind at these slow shutter speed subject motion may be a problem so I would try to make it 1/50 at least (with the 18-55) and 1/100 with the 55--250..

Thank you Richard & Osmosis for the lens recommendations. Will have to wait until after the holidays to even consider a new purchase. For the record my 50 mm is a F1.8. Richard - I will try what you have suggested above and truly appreciate your willingness to re-visit my question! Thanks to you both for being so kind and prompt!

[carlyfan]

Originally Posted by corco66

Canon Rebel T2i
Canon Prime Lens 18-55mm
Canon Zoom Lens 55-250mm
Canon Macro Lens 50 mm

Did you mean 18-55 zoom, 55-250 macro, and 50 prime? Prime lenses are ones with fixed focal lengths; you can not zoom.

I have an 18-55 and a 50, and would personally go with the 50. The large aperture is good for indoors because you can get faster shutter speeds. I don't know much about the 55-250. What is the maximum aperture on that one? That would let you get in closer, so if you can get the shutter speed high enough, that would probably be a good choice. Also you can probably get away with a higher ISO with your camera. Mine is the Rebel XT, and gets really noisy with anything over 400.

The white balance will probably be tricky, so shoot in RAW or RAW+JPEG if possible.

One more thing, don't forget about the Grandparents. I'm sure you could get some great pictures of the expressions on their faces as the watch their grandchildren.

I hope this helps, and I hope it goes great for you on Wednesday!

Lisa

[corco66]

Originally Posted by carlyfan

Did you mean 18-55 zoom, 55-250 macro, and 50 prime? Prime lenses are ones with fixed focal lengths; you can not zoom.

I have an 18-55 and a 50, and would personally go with the 50. The large aperture is good for indoors because you can get faster shutter speeds. I don't know much about the 55-250. What is the maximum aperture on that one? That would let you get in closer, so if you can get the shutter speed high enough, that would probably be a good choice. Also you can probably get away with a higher ISO with your camera. Mine is the Rebel XT, and gets really noisy with anything over 400.

The white balance will probably be tricky, so shoot in RAW or RAW+JPEG if possible.

One more thing, don't forget about the Grandparents. I'm sure you could get some great pictures of the expressions on their faces as the watch their grandchildren.

I hope this helps, and I hope it goes great for you on Wednesday!

Lisa

Lisa - I suppose I should have said KIT lens instead of prime for the 18-55. I was taught that prime could mean one of two things either your definition or as the primary lens. My bad. Thank you for the advice on the 18-55 vs 50. I will test this tomorrow at the rehearsal. On another note, I will be shooting the grandparents with their grandchildren in another setting that has natural light and more options than the gym provides. My major concern is capturing the student performances in that less than ideal gym setting. Thanks too for the good wishes.

[carlyfan]

Originally Posted by corco66

Lisa - I suppose I should have said KIT lens instead of prime for the 18-55. I was taught that prime could mean one of two things either your definition or as the primary lens. My bad.

I could totally be wrong too. I am by no means a pro. I have only ever heard of prime lenses referring to fixed focal lengths, but it could have two meanings.

You're very welcome!