People In Front Of Advertising Board

[AppleSimon]

Hi all, after receiving great tips from my previous thread, I am back again seeking more advice.

In a couple of weeks time a friend of mine is holding an event in a nightclub and has asked my to take photos of the guests as they come in the door in front of an advertising board.

Just looking for advice on what my best setup options are.

I have a Nikon D200 with SB800 Flash. For my lens choice I have either an 18-200mm or a 50mm. I was thinking the 50mm would be more than perfect for the job of just taking pictures of people stood in front of an advertising board?

My only other concern is the flash reflecting off of the advertising board. I am not sure what material this is going to be made out of, but my friend has asked me to look into what would be best. I think it needs to be a white background, so would it need to me matte to stop the flash reflecting?

I look forward to your input

Thanks.

 

[WelshNoob]

You need to have the flash pointing straight up then either buy or make a flash reflector.

 

[DaveKing]

I'd be concerned whether using s 50mm lens on a crop would be too long to use indoors. If you are using a flash that should negate the requirement for a wide aperture. I think the 18-200 would be more useful.

For the flash I'd try bouncing it to give a more natural light

 

[HoppyUK]

For reflections off the board, just remember angle of incidence equals angle of reflectance, ie light bounces off a surface at the same angle it strikes, like a snooker ball off the cushion.

In other words, if you're square to the board, the flash will bounce straight back at you. So either bounce it or stand at an angle.

 

[specialman]

For reflections off the board, just remember angle of incidence equals angle of reflectance, ie light bounces off a surface at the same angle it strikes, like a snooker ball off the cushion.

In other words, if you're square to the board, the flash will bounce straight back at you. So either bounce it or stand at an angle.

Beat me to it...... **shakes fist**

 

[Harvey_nikon]

You need to have the flash pointing straight up then either buy or make a flash reflector.

Depends on the height of the ceiling, the colour of it and what restrictions they have regarding space and health and safety.

I'd be concerned whether using s 50mm lens on a crop would be too long to use indoors. If you are using a flash that should negate the requirement for a wide aperture. I think the 18-200 would be more useful.

For the flash I'd try bouncing it to give a more natural light

I agree that the 18-200 would be more useful, however, neither of us can comment on this without seeing the space for ourselves.

To the OP, you need to go to the venue and take a note of the layout. You want to be close enough so that you aren't getting to be getting people wandering in front of you but far enough a way not to impose yourself on the people coming in.

Ideally, I would be considering taking the flash off camera or at least bouncing it off the walls as mentioned above. However, as its the entrance you might find there is enough available light. Off camera flash might not be possible depending on Health & Safety issues in the club.

With something like this, it's all down to the prep work.

You need to get to the venue, take a few test shots in similar conditions to what you will be shooting. See how much room you have, what lighting there is already, which way are people going to be walking once they are in the building (you don't want a constant flow of people walking in front of you).

For the advertising board, does your friend have any already that you can try with? I've only really shot weddings with seating plans/welcome boards and I can tell you that black background with a perspex front is a no go as reflection from light or yourself is a pita. And don't get me started on the last wedding I did where they put the table layout on a mirror

 

[AppleSimon]

Thank you for the replies.

The only thing I can do, is go earlier on the night and make sure everything is set up correctly and take lots of test shots.

I know the venue well, and have a good space between taking the pictures and the board. Just going to see what works best on the night before the punters come in.