Photos at a Shoot (advise)

[MattG_83]

Ok i have been asked if i can take some pictures at a friends local shoot (pheasant & Duck shoot), can anyone give me any advise on what setting will be best?
Now i am guessing the weather will be dull and cloudy looking at the forecast.
The kit i have will be:
400d
kit lesnse 18-55mm
nifty fifty lense
tamron 75-300m lense
430ex flash
stofan

Cheers
Matt

[Seil]

Alright, first off, you'll want to set your WB to cloudy or some manual setting that bests suits the weather if you know how to. If it's outdoors then you can consider to use a little fill light with your flash. I don't know if you'll really need your stofen, but if you want to try it then go ahead & bring it with. If you have a tripod or monopod then you should use it especially with your 300, as shakiness may become a problem during cloudy weather.

OK, now that you have the equipment, you should be concerned more about the way you use it and how you take your photos. I have 3 main types of photos you'll want to focus on, but don't be afraid to go beyond these boundaries, just take a look at them for an idea:

~Posed shots; people together for a picture, holding ducks, etc. for that you can use your 50mm or 18-55mm, however I would recommend the 50mm because it creates a much more pleasant DOF effect for portraits and the like. However ,if it's a large group photo then using a 1.8 might cause some loss in focus when any subject is not on the focus plane. On both lenses, the 1.8 and IS will help you during the cloudy weather. If you're not able to get close to people then you can use your 75-300, but be aware that, depending on how cloudy it is, you might be in for some blur from hand movements. Consider using a monopod or tripod or just kneel, whatever might stabilize the shot.

~Candid shots; These shots really tell a story whenever something important or exciting is happening. Capturing the natural emotions of people while doing something always creates unique shots. That's not to say you can just walk up to anyone at anytime and guarantee a good photo. You have to look for things, especially reactions-right after they hit a duck, or grab a duck or something like that. Some kind of emotion, or look on their face, like them inspecting the area or aiming or right when they know they've got it. For this I'd recommend either the 50 or 18-55, as you'll probably be closer to people. The wide 18mm can emphasize certain things depending on how you organize them in the frame. When taking these shots, either focus on the face or body just to capture their reaction or choose a careful composition of them interacting with other things, like the dogs or other people.

~Action shots-these can be very exhilerating if played out right. What you're looking for here is obviously action, and what I have in mind is either the ducks or (if they're using them) the dogs. You might even capture some nice action shots of people, too. The animals will usually require a long lens, so use your 300. When looking for action, always keep your eye on the subject and don't be afraid to take a picture if you feel like it.

Hope this helps.

[Al_at_MMO]

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Al