Church Event

[creative_one]

UPDATED :
Hi Everyone,
I have a church event coming up that gives me the opportunity to experience first hand for the first time. ( photographing people).
The event is going to take place at sugar land city hall) outside at 5pm - 6pm. Here's the problem : it gets dark
( i seen the city hall at nite . It has some spot lights but i don't think there's enough light there to get really good pics taken fast with out having the exposure to take a long time. & i don't know if i should just a flash cause i don't want to have the kids mess up in a dance during the musical because i used a flash.?.? what should i do?) like around 5:45pm or so & i have photographed different things ( sky- trees-streets & sun sets) at night before & i know that at one point i would have to wipe out my tripod.
But how do i photograph a musical at night? any ideas? Any tips? guide lines?
I appreciate all the responses & tips to this question!
Thanks so much.

[candleman]

what sort of gear do you have?

[creative_one]

Originally Posted by candleman

what sort of gear do you have?

I have a Nikon D60 with the regular lens & then i have a zoom lens = 55-200mm
I also have some filters - UV - cross-star 8 point lens - Neutral density - Circular polarizer
I also have a tripod with a wirless remote

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by creative_one

Should i practice photographing people before hand?

Without a doubt! Definitely practice on people so that you get it right on the day when you don't have a chance to reshoot, reset, etc.

But the other helpful thing for people to know is more details about the situation. For example, indoors or outdoors? Posed or casual? Day or night?

These will all make a world of difference.

[creative_one]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Without a doubt! Definitely practice on people so that you get it right on the day when you don't have a chance to reshoot, reset, etc.

But the other helpful thing for people to know is more details about the situation. For example, indoors or outdoors? Posed or casual? Day or night?

These will all make a world of difference.

Its going to be outdoors. I don't know if the children are going to be in costumes or not.
There might be flags there too. but not sure.
Its a childrens outreach & i imagine that the children would be either singing or doing a skit or doing a dance or somthing like that.
Here is a pic of where its going to be held at.

[candleman]

ok.. what mode do you shoot in?

my opinion.. leave the 55-200 out of the equation.. you will have lots of throw aways.
use the 18-55? and get in close to the subject.. that will allow for a slower shutterspeed.

As Nicole said... heck yes practice.. photographing people is an art of its own.
search DPS blog for portrait tips.. theres some excellent content on posing there.
also think about how to get people to smile without saying cheese... its pretty cheesy.

learn flash exposure compensation in conjunction with TTL (its in your manual) this will allow you a bit more control over the harshness of the shadows/highlights.
(the flash exposure compensation button os on the left of the body, just below the flash... it has a lightning symbol on it.. hold it and turn the command dial.. and take a shot.. see the results

[creative_one]

I like to use the landscape mode , the close up & the sport mode as well.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by creative_one

I like to use the landscape mode , the close up & the sport mode as well.

Auto? I would practice with av or manual.

[creative_one]

Originally Posted by bhursey

Auto? I would practice with av or manual.

i don't like auto mode but all the modes that i do shot in i have it set in auto focus & VR

[candleman]

Originally Posted by creative_one

i don't like auto mode but all the modes that i do shot in i have it set in auto focus & VR

you can use "Manual mode" and still have the functionality of autofocus and VR
manual mode simply allows you to comtrol aperture, shutterspeed and ISO.

perhaps thata abit much.,


DEFINATLEY look into shooting "A" aperture priority....
thats why these cameras cost so much.. you can control them