lighting set up for event photo

quedash

quedash

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Frank
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Hi all
Would anyone advice me on the type of set up required to take this event photo shoot I have been offered
Not done anything like this before, excapt a local drama production and reception photos.
This requires that I photograph everyone coming to the massarade ball, up to 200 guests. So I am thinking a backdrop setup with lighting etc. as close as possible to the cloak room or entrance area, which will be available throughout the evening plus candid shots during the evening.
I have a 300 pound budget for light/backdrop etc.
Please do feel free to comment
Thanks Quedash
 
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For your budget, do it on black, white will cost you too much.

www.Studio-flash.com black cloth background and support set, £100
1 300ws or so flash head, light stand and a white umbrella. Make sure you've got enough distance between the subjects and the background, so your background goes to black.

Print on site, will sell far more photos.
 
Thanks for the advice Davedotnet

I will check out the site and take onboard your tips
If you can think of anythink else pleae shout out

Must get twitting myslf, only problem is I never have much to say...doh

Cheers m8y
 
itsdavedotnet said:
For your budget, do it on black, white will cost you too much.

www.Studio-flash.com black cloth background and support set, £100
1 300ws or so flash head, light stand and a white umbrella. Make sure you've got enough distance between the subjects and the background, so your background goes to black.

Print on site, will sell far more photos.
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Thanks again
Any ideas on the printers?
 
you won't get a dye sub for £300 total budget, even renting one.

So not a clue lol, sorry.

worst case, take photo print orders on the night (inc taking the money) and then send to dscl, put into mounts from photomart, and either post out or distribute at the drama school after the event.
 
I've done ordering on the night and its pretty good (though not brilliant) Then you can either drop at the school or mail out

how would you sell the candids?
 
david1701 said:
I've done ordering on the night and its pretty good (though not brilliant) Then you can either drop at the school or mail out

how would you sell the candids?
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yup.

and not a clue lol...it's all about the formal shots ;) I often throw in some candid snaps on download link / CD as a 'thank you' to the organiser...I'd far rather that than give them a %age cut...
 
lol I meant his plan not yours :D

asides from a few wide venue shots I don't often bother with them :D
 
quedash said:
Nice one David 1701 I'll send you six pack

I can rent A dye for 250
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shouldn't cost you that much, photomart do one for 100 per week + 25 each way shipping :)
 
Why not see if there is an event photographer available for the night, they will have the lights, background, viewing stations and printer and show you how its done for a share of the money.

Maybe look at Simon from Justsee photography
 
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Little John said:
Why not see if there is an event photographer available for the night, they will have the lights, background, viewing stations and printer and show you how its done for a share of the money.

Maybe look at Simon from Justsee photography
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also a very good plan :)
 
First of all I would stay away from black or white backgrounds unless you have the correct lighting and know what your doing with it.

So many ladies in black dresses plus the gents in black suits can cause seperation problems. Getting this right can take some practice.

White backgrounds require it to be lit seperately and you may not have the room unless you have a Hilite.

Personally I would go for something more simple that requires a simple two light setup.

If you also require a printer then your potentially looking at £15000+ investment to run this event.

Two possible solutions to this are:

1. Buy a cheap set of lights (with your buget it will have to be cheap or S/H).Dont forget you'll need a flash meter too Possibly use a feature in the venue as a backdrop such as staircase or build your own using anything available in there.

You will also need viewing equipment such as laptop (possibly with monitor connected) to connect a printer.

Take orders on the night and send prints out after the event. Possibly sales may suffer as a result.

2. Join up with another event photographer who has the equipment and cover it on 50/50 basis.
 
First of all I would stay away from black or white backgrounds unless you have the correct lighting and know what your doing with it.
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very fair point. I do, in fairness, tend to use 2 lights, one as rim one as key, when shooting on black... but then I've lit stuff on black loads of times. Takes practice, and an event is a fast moving thing that you can't hang about at.

+1 to everything that snapzz said, basically :)
 
itsdavedotnet said:
an event is a fast moving thing that you can't hang about at.
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Reminds me of a very important part I'd forgot to mention.

With events you are lighting for not just 1-2 people but large groups too. Flat lighting is advised for this so you are not messing around resetting for every shot. This is important especially if you have a constant flow or queues. People donot like to wait very long so essential you have your workflow spot on.
 
Reposted that link to talk business, let's keep this discussion ontopic actually lol, sorry...
 
Little John said:
Why not see if there is an event photographer available for the night, they will have the lights, background, viewing stations and printer and show you how its done for a share of the money.

Maybe look at Simon from Justsee photography
Click to expand...

I'd seriously consider this. It sounds like you know what you need, but don't have the budget to pull it all together. The effort involved in re-inventing the wheel is considerable, and there are lots of experienced event photographer around who you could enlist to help out in return for some share of the sales. We would certainly take that kind of offer if it was local to us.

Edit: which it isn't, just to make it clear I'm not advertising ;)
 
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