Suggestions and tips needed-- Volunteer Photographer

[tekandthebaron]

Hi Everyone,

This is my second post (my first was an introduction) and I need some help. I'm a hobby photographer, with zero interest in becoming a professional. I am part of a local professional organization that is hosting a "Hospitality Suite" at an international trade show in October. I was volunteered to be the photographer, which I don't mind. The group I am working with knows that I am not a professional photographer, and they did not request any examples of my "work", so I am not very concerned about letting anyone down.

That being said, I do want to take the best photos possible at this event for personal recognition. This would be a great way for me to become known in my industry and could help in a future job search.

Any tips for shooting an indoor event, camera settings, composition, etc.? Any inexpensive equipment I should add to my meager collection?

Camera Body:
Nikon D60

Lenses:
Kit 18mm-55mm
Nikor 60mm micro (AF-S)

Accessories:
Nikon Speedlight (I think it's model # SB-600, I don't have it with me to check)
Some sort of tripod, I couldn't tell you make or model though.

Really, that's about all I have. I will have a co-worker with me, so if I need assistance with something I will have help.

I've been reading through the forums and articles on DPS, and it's been really helpful. I should have some opportunities (and I can make some opportunities) to practice before the event. I have a general idea of how the manual settings work, however I'm not yet great with them.

I hope I am not asking too much and I would appreciate any help what-so-ever.

Thanks in advance! (TEK)

[zona5101]

Practice shooting with your flash, especially bouncing it off walls, corners ceilings. If the venue is in a warehouse setting check into a flash modifier like a lumaquest.

[GreggObst]

Do you have any information regarding the room lights and/or window light (if any) that will exist in this location where you will be shooting ?

A few generic things I can say up front:

1. If the walls of the room are white or very close to white, try placing your subject in front of you with the white wall behind you. Angle your SB-600 (if that is what it is) up on a 45 degree angle and aimed behind you to bounce off the wall. What you are doing here is using the wall as a giant bounce card. This will soften up the light as well as making it larger. That will be a lot more pleasing a light source than directly aiming the flash at your subject.

2. Depending on what your lights in the conference hall end up being, pay attention to your white balance settings (page 52 in the D60 manual). Take a test shot using auto white balance and see if you are in the ball park in terms of correct color. If the overhead lights are fluorescent, set your white balance for fluorescent If they are more like household lamp type lights set your white balance to incandescent. If you end up having a lot of window light, try setting the white balance to cloudy which will warm up skin tones nicely.

[tekandthebaron]

I probably will not be able to see the room prior to the event. (It's in Washington DC and I'm in Detroit) Since it is at a convention center, it's likely to be a large space with florescent lighting, much like a generic office. I'll ask the event coordinator what kind of lighting the room will have.

I've used my flash (and I can confirm it is the 600) to bounce off the ceiling, so I'll try with the wall behind me. I can always get my coworker to hold a piece of white foam board if the walls are not white.

Hopefully I can get approval to practice in one of our conference rooms!

Thank you both very much for taking the time to respond. Hopefully I was able to provide the additional information you need.