Best mode for People photography.

[Skids]

Hi.

I have searched the forum but not found quite the answer I am looking for.

I am taking my 300D with Canon 28-135 IS and 550ex flash to a car show on Saturday (Max Power London).
As anyone who has been to this show, as well as the Cars there will a lot of fine celebrity models (Jordan I believe will be there). :wink:


I am planning on shooting in P and RAW with auto wb and ISO set to 100 but would like recommendations on whether this is the best way to go.

The venue will most likely be a very open area with a high roof and lots of varied lighting so bouncing the flash will be out of the question.

Many Thanks

Darren

[Headcase650]

White balance wont be an issue if you shoot with raw. Rather than "P" why not shoot in AV so you can chose your depth of field. Maybe a polorized filter to cut through some of the glare form the very shiny and reflective cars.

[roanjohn]

For flash pics........I would recommend M mode.

Though P mode is not a bad idea..............I would just set my ISO to 200 - it'll give me more leway.

Ro1

[Cadwell]

Avoid AV and TV... the EOS flash system assumes you want to use "fill flash" in those modes and doesn't behave as you might expect. Use P or preferably M. Set the shutter to 1/60th and the aperture to f/8 or so. Try using ISO 400 (it'll prevent the edges of your shot from looking so dark). If you can beg, borrow, steal or make a bounce card for your flash all to the good. Shoot in RAW - it might help you save things later. Use the histogram a lot and apply FEC as necessary.

You're going to be in for a frustrating day with only 28mm as your wide end. Try and hold your temper as hundreds of people wander in front of you whilst you're trying to take your shots.

Good luck.

[Skids]

Avoid AV and TV... the EOS flash system assumes you want to use "fill flash" in those modes and doesn't behave as you might expect. Use P or preferably M. Set the shutter to 1/60th and the aperture to f/8 or so. Try using ISO 400 (it'll prevent the edges of your shot from looking so dark). If you can beg, borrow, steal or make a bounce card for your flash all to the good. Shoot in RAW - it might help you save things later. Use the histogram a lot and apply FEC as necessary.

You're going to be in for a frustrating day with only 28mm as your wide end. Try and hold your temper as hundreds of people wander in front of you whilst you're trying to take your shots.

Good luck.

Many thanks for all the info. I have got a Stofen Omnibounce but I have read that that doesn't really make much difference when used straight on, is that the case I should I make use of it?

Also please excuse the dumb question but is FEC the exposure control on the camera itself? I have noticed in the past that the histogram does tend to keep to the left hand side some I am guessing that I would need to increase exposure? (Please correct me if I am wrong as I am still quite a newbie to this.) :oops:

Many Thanks again for all the useful info.

[Skids]

Me again

I have just looked up FEC and seen how to adjust the Flash Exposure Compensation. Doh

Next time I shall RTFM.

I would still appreciate your comments to the other questions above please.

Thanks Again.

These forums and the people on them are awesome for this sort of advice. :D

[Cadwell]

The Stofen Omnibounce is one of those devices that some people swear by and some people swear about... The big problem with flash photography and shiny, shiny cars is that the highly reflective surface tends to throw the flash metering off. The Omnibounce can take the edge off that a little bit, but it's not a miracle cure. It does reduce the power of your flash output and it will munch it's way through your batteries more quickly.

You may do as well by using the diffuser on your 550EX... even though you're not shooting wide enough to normally need it.

All I can suggest is make a lot of use of the histogram and see what you get.

[Skids]

Many thanks for the helpful advice, especially Cadwell.

I got some pretty good pictures using Manual and the settings you suggested.

If this works (I have not posted images before) here a a couple of examples. (I have halved the size of them)

Please note they are large files


Jakki Degg

http://dskids.topcities.com/Max/jakki.jpg

Unknown Model

http://dskids.topcities.com/Max/248_4827.jpg

Apologies if I have put them in the wrong forum but I would like to know what people think.

Many Thanks again.

Darren.

[Seveneer]

I think you probably want to reduce the size of those pictures mate. They appear to be 6 megapixels each. :o
/Phil.

[Skids]

I have now reduced the size.

Regards

Darren

:)