Bit of advice on camera settings for a party

N77

N77

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Hi All,

Bit new to all the settings malarky but I like to do things manually to learn how to use it properly, otherwise I think its a bit lazy to use auto all the time.

I tend to take alot of photos at car events so I am used to settings on that, but I will be taking some photos at my dads supprise party we have organised for him. As we have invited people he has not seen for a while then we thought it would be a good idea to take some photos etc...

As we have spent a fair bit already then it will be muggins here taking some :lol:

I am getting a flash to use, the speedlight 430ex will be the one I will have, so just after some advice on settings for the camera to use, ISO speed, aperture etc...

I know alot will depend on available light etc... we will be having a disco/dj and the room seems to be quite dark with curtains up windows etc...

So a ball park figure will be a good starting point and what adjustments will be needed to be made for varying circumstances.

Thanks in advance


Carl
 
You could always try 'P' fro Party, I mean Program, mode! Up the ISO a bit and enjoy the party! ;)
 
if you use the flash keep the iso down though . not the sort of place/ situation to start experimenting really.
 
So much depends on the venue.

You could either use the flash with a lower iso and experiment with flash compensation. Or you could say sod it, use a higher iso, no flash and wide aperture. Use a fast short zoom eg 24-70 f2.8 or a nifty fifty.

Compromises either way.

Would you be able to get into the room before the event to experiment?
 
I just was asked to do a party shoot at the weekend similar to yours. I was using ISO800, about 1/200 sec and between f2.8 and 5.6. Used a 430ex but I backed off about 2/3 stop on that and pointed it away from the subjects a little. The trick is to use enough flash to get the exposure but not so much that it blows everything out. Do what you can with the available light and then add the flash to add what you need but dont make the flash the main source.

With the activity of a party you need to keep the shutter speed up to catch the action and from the pictures I have processed so far I haven't needed to much in terms of adjusting the exposure - just tok down the brightness on a few where the flash was too much.
 
andrewc said:
So much depends on the venue.

You could either use the flash with a lower iso and experiment with flash compensation. Or you could say sod it, use a higher iso, no flash and wide aperture. Use a fast short zoom eg 24-70 f2.8 or a nifty fifty.

Compromises either way.

Would you be able to get into the room before the event to experiment?
Click to expand...

I would use a nifty fifty or a 24-70 2.8 lens as well. Shot wide open high iso and go as low as you can go with the shutter. I would go as low as 1/30 with a bit of flash.
It all depends on how lively the crowd is. You can add a little flash to freeze the movement.
turn the lights down at home and shot the cat or a friend.
 
Shooting the cat sounds like a good plan ;-)
 
Thanks for the suggestions, will give it a whirl.

Unfortunately the only time I will be in the room is when we will be setting it up for a couple of hours in the day time, so don't think I will be able to really try anything.

I only have the standard lens that came with the camera to use as well, as I brought the lens I needed to take some photos at car shows where I mainly use the camera, so the standard 18-55mm lens it will have to be.

I will have to take 3 of each photo, one in auto, and two trying it out :lol:

Carl
 
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