Prom night tonight-help

[johnb]

Tonights the night of the Prom for my youngest daughter & dad has been dragged in to take some pictures of her group in Prom dresses before they get into their Limo & go.

Thinking of this has turned me from a confident snapper to a gibbering wreck.

I will be using a D50 & am now wondering what settings to use to get the best out of the pics.

If i play safe & use the portrait mode will it capture a group photograph [5 of them ] pin sharp or will the dof let me down?

Do i go into AP & dial in a low aperture to blur the background [ probably the gardens].

Help!!! What settings would you go for on this once in a lifetime [so im told] do or die situation.

Any comments,commiserations or obsevations much appreciated

:bang: :bonk:

 

[oldgit]

You'll need to take note of the surroundings and available light.
Take a few trial snaps and see what readings you get.

AP mode (Av on Canon) is going to be your best bet.
If there is enough light to use about f/8 then do that.. if not then stop down.
Increase the ISO if you need to.

Use a tripod/beanbag some stable surface as this will cut down on blur.

Chimp!

and check check that histogram!

 

[moomike]

What he said. I'd just follow all of your usual rules & be confident about the shot.
If I were you I'd take something out into the garden to practice on, place an object or preferably a model in the place where you think you'll be taking the photograph & experiment to see how much DOF you think you'll need, etc to throw out the background (would have to increase accordingly for the group of people obviously).
I personally would then use the aperture value you think you'll be most happy with & alter the shutter speed & ISO to suit based upon this.
I'd also use a tripod to ensure the shot will not suffer from camera shake.
Hopefully it should be quite light tonight so as you can keep the ISO down.
Best of luck with the shots

 

[Jo]

Oh and can I suggest you take lots of candids too? You know, like when your daughter is getting ready... putting her makeup on and such :shrug:

The practising is a good idea like moomike said. Maybe get the family out there before she starts getting ready?

 

[moomike]

Great idea on the candids Jojo

 

[Inkblots]

Good Luck!

 

[Marcel]

I shall be keeping a very close eye on this thread

My neice has asked me to do the very same. Theyve hired a fire engine to take them (as you do) next week, and Ive been tasked to take all the pictures....

Ooooh it's gonna be fun

 

[johnb]

Cheers guys, thanks for the advice. Have to keep one eye on the weather in berkshire- it looks like poo at the moment. May be inside + the dreaded flash if things dont improve

 

[Ian T]

What lens do you have? Do you have a flash gun? If so, flash shouldn't be dreaded, but if you're using the built-in flash on the camera then I understand.

Having not done anything like this much, I can't offer any decent advice other than take as many photos as possible - that way you'll have more chance of pulling out a decent selection.