First event coming up

[AaronBBrown]

Hi all,

I was asked (by my wife, so how can I say no :)) to photograph a fundraising party for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It's going to be about 60 people, inside a mansion during the evening. I've never done this sort of shooting before, and am interested in some tips on how to get started. There will be an event with speakers going on as well as a cocktail party. I don't believe that I will be doing any formals. I'm not getting paid, but I obviously want to do as decent a job as I can.

I have borrowed a flash (550EX) and have been playing with it like mad to get a feel for it. So far, I've had pretty good results just running it in ETTL mode, so I'm not too concerned about having enough light. I figure that I can use the flash, bounced with a Lightsphere, for much of the evening on a low ISO setting. If the light in the house is unusually good, I'll try using the 50mm f/1.8 for some natural light shots.

Here's what I have available for gear:
Canon 400D
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5
Sigma 10-20
Canon 550EX flash w/ Lightsphere II
2 x 2GB cards

I don't imagine that I'll have much use for the 10-20 unless there is a balcony of some sort where I can get a large group mingling shot. I'm guessing that I'll have the 17-70 and 50 on for most of the evening.

Basically, I'm looking for tips, tricks, advice, whatever you've got. Send me links, point me to FAQs that I haven't found. I want to be as inconspicuous and respectful as I can be with a giant camera and flash.

Thanks everyone!
Aaron

[Zonieart]

Thanks for volunteering. My brother is alive and well today because of the work the L&L Society does.

You might want to read a book or two on wedding photography. Also look at the threads in the "Weddings and Other Family Events" forum. Your shoot will probably mimic a photojournalistic wedding shoot.

[AaronBBrown]

After participating w/ Team in Training, running for the son of a close friend of ours, she began working full time for LLS. She gets a great sense of satisfaction working for the Society. I am very happy to hear that your brother has recovered. They have helped countless people.

I forgot to mention that the event is in 5 days, so I don't have a ton of time to read books, but I will definitely look through the wedding photography section here. I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for the advice! :)

[PhotosGuy]

Good luck. Anyone with Club/Nightlife photography questions? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=363560)

Tips for Xmas Ball Please (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=419399)

Re: Flash Photography 101, Chapter 3 - A Systematic Approach to Bounced Flash (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=177622)

Party Shots (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=369787)

[AaronBBrown]

Thanks for the links!

[AaronBBrown]

Well, I did it. It was fun and educational (and a very successful event for LLS)

I used the flash with a diffuser everywhere, but still ended up with a bunch of shadows, despite my bouncing attempts. The ceilings were high in places, dark in others and it was generally just tough. I have a lot of slightly out of focus shots, but even some of them are keepers because of who/what is in them. I'm pretty happy with the results given that I've never done this type of thing before.

I primarily used my 17-70 lens and varied the ISO from 400 - 1600, depending on my distance from the subject. I think most of the shots were at ISO 800. I shot in RAW and have been able to pull a lot of detail out of over and under exposed shots, as well as correct the white balance. I almost decided to shoot JPG, but I'm glad I didn't -- the results wouldn't have been pretty.

My job was to shoot candids, and I think I got some good moments...

The ceiling here was the same color as the walls...dark wood...
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1629.jpg

I held my camera on this couple for a good minute waiting for "a moment" to occur. It was finally the fact that they noticed me that made them laugh.
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1642.jpg

This cute boy is "Boy of the Year" and is currently undergoing treatment for ALL and was cracking everyone up all night.
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1721.jpg

The MC and the 15 year old "Girl of the Year" who just finished Leukemia treatment and gave a moving speech that ended with her and the rest of the party in tears...
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1749.jpg

A Leukemia survivor watching her husband speak about their experience...
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1716.jpg

The "Boy of the Year" playing "Power Rangers" with the MC. I don't think he expected a roundhouse kick. Chuck Norris would be proud.
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party/IMG_1696.jpg

Some more are at
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/index.php?album=events%2Flls-man-woman-party

Let me know what you think. I'll be adding more as I edit.

[AaronBBrown]

Is there an echo in here? :)

[PhotosGuy]

You got some good shots. Some forethought & manual will do it every time! ;)

[AaronBBrown]

Well, they liked my pictures better than the professional that was at the last event and asked me to shoot their finale. This was the announcement of the Massachusetts Man & Woman of the Year 2008 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Here's a link to the gallery:
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/index.php?album=events%2Flls-man-woman-party-winners

and some highlights:
http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/winners/20080528-IMG_2971.jpg
Just after she found out she was woman of the year

http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/winners/20080528-IMG_2978.jpg
Boy of the year bringing a card and flowers up to the WOTY

http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/others/20080528-IMG_2866.jpg
BOTY and his pineapple

http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/others/20080528-IMG_2946.jpg
BOTY singing a song that was written for him while the MC looks on.

http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/winners/20080528-IMG_2998.jpg
MOTY being congratulated.

http://gallery.9minutesnooze.com/albums/events/lls-man-woman-party-winners/others/20080528-IMG_2761.jpg
Yummy looking food that I didn't have time to eat.

Most everything was shot in Manual at 1/80" - 1/100" | ISO 800 | f/4.5-5.6 with a Canon 400D, a Sigma 17-70, and a 430EX. I had a Stofen Omnibounce that I took on and off throughout the night.

The evening was great & they raised a bunch of money. I had a good time working it and it was rewarding helping out LLS in any way that I could.

Let me know what you think!
Aaron

[Zonieart]

Terrific shots! Great start in your photo career!

[AaronBBrown]

Thanks!

For the wedding/event photographers out there - what settings/equipment do you typically use in a poorly lit reception hall?