Out of my comfort zone!

[rjl2005]

Hi Folks

I need some help please!

I've been asked to help at a function with some candid shots of guests doing their thing! I'll be using my Canon 30d; 17-85 and a 430EX flash.

Any tips on settings would be great. Is program mode OK?

All of a sudden birds seem quite an easy subject (LOL).

Thanks

Rhod

[greenbunion]

Is flash necessary?
Would not a higher ISO be better and avoid a bright white light going off?

[Birdsnapper]

Hi Rhod. Take plenty of photos (and plenty of memory cards) - you're shooting digital, so problems with wasted film. Try different angles and distances and get a mixture of formal and serious. Shooting RAW is also a good idea as there is more exposure latidude - use RAW+JPEG if you're unfamiliar with RAW as you can always experiment with the RAW files. If there are any children then get down to their level (ditto animals).

Best of luck and hope to see some of the results.

[rjl2005]

Thanks for the replies. iso800 will only give me ~1/8 at f5.6 so I think I'll have to use flash. Is program mode the best setting?

Cheers

Rhod

[walwyn]

Use bounced or diffused flash. Use a flash bracket to offset it from the top of the camera. Maybe just use it as a fill (half power or whatever). But you really need to practice first to get a handle on the technique you'll be using.

Experiment at home or in the local pub first to see what works.

[greenbunion]

Originally Posted by rjl2005

Thanks for the replies. iso800 will only give me ~1/8 at f5.6 so I think I'll have to use flash. Is program mode the best setting?

Cheers

Rhod

Oooohhh - ISO 800, luvverly grainy black and whites!
Pretend you're Cartier-Bresson, he didn't use a flash

[wolfie]

Originally Posted by walwyn

Use bounced or diffused flash. Use a flash bracket to offset it from the top of the camera. Maybe just use it as a fill (half power or whatever). But you really need to practice first to get a handle on the technique you'll be using.

Experiment at home or in the local pub first to see what works.

Much the same from me, I take quite a lot of this type of shot at this time of year, This year I will be starting a little earlier, starting with an 80th birthday party on Saturday.

I will be using a Sigma Super flashgun set to ETTL with a StoFen Omni-Bounce and the head set at approx 45 deg. and my Canon 30d set to manual. My setting initially will be 100sec at f/11, then I will fire off a couple of shots so has to fine tune the settings. ETTL will then compensate for varying distance and variations in the ambient light, and yes I always shoot raw.

Harry