need help quick!! shooting daughters party

[johneric8]

Late night for me tonight!! LOL.. I am shooting my daugters 6 birthday party tomorow and would like some suggestions on camera settings. It will be inside during the day I will be using the 20D with the internal flash for sure. I wont have time to mess with settings so what would be my best bet? Should I let the camera decide in p mode. Or, should I set the shutter to 250 in shutter priority? any suggestions will help. These dont need to be pro shots just good the best looking shots that I can get without getting wrapped up in settings. It seems to me that a larger aperture is the way to go so I get a good DOF. what do you guys think?? I'm used to taking my time takin meter readings so this is more of a point and shoot style photography that I havent done with my 20D..


Should I use AI focus ?
Blessings

[tim]

Personally i'd use Av mode if there's enough natural light, and M mode if there's not. If you use M set the speed to 1/80 and the aperture to F8, if there's not enough light switch down to F4 or so. If you have any doubts just use P mode.

AI focus is for use if the subject is moving towards you at a more or less constant rate. I'd use standard focusing, and probably put the camera in rapid fire mode. If you use rapid fire with the flash on the 2nd etc shots might not come out, as there might not be enough power in the flash.

Hope that helps.

[charlesu]

If you're asking this question, shoot in P mode and you will get competent shots.

if you have time and money, pick up a bigger flash and a lumiquest softbox or similar modifier. And a spare battery.

Good luck and let's see some pics of your little girl when you have a chance.

Incidentally, I spoke on the phone last night to a friend whose 16 year old daughter was having a double "Sweet 16" party for two friends. He said that there were over 40 16 year old girls at his house. His 14 year old son was in heaven but I think he and his wife were a bit overwhelmed. LOL

[RJSorensen]

Looks like you have the best advice POTN has to offer . . . I too would love to see a sample of the photographs taken at this most wonderful event.

[johneric8]

thanks gentleman!! I will post some tonight after the party... Thanks a million..