What settings for a big event?

[Misiek]

Next week in my home city is going to be held a big event. It will be held at a big school sportshall and I'll be shooting some pics for my mum and her friends. So there will be 1-person shots and group shots. Can I do this on one settings or it will depend on the situation? How strong should be the flash (I also want to have some natural light in the back)? 1/4? 1/8?
I use a 430 exII and there is no way to bounce it - the ceiling is 30 metres high ;).

ISO 800
F 4-8
1/50
??


Any exposition settings (I know I can adjust it in DPP after but I can't spoil it so much because the effect will be artificial)? Will the metering mode have any meening or should I stay at the default?

The event is next saturday so I will have lots of time to gather your opinions :) Thanks!

[craiglee]

just find settings that work and just adjust fstop in manual mode. oh get a faster lens too.

30 meters would be hard to bounce. get your flash off camera or bounce behind you?

[Misiek]

They can have a table in the middle of the hall so nowhere to bounce...

What camera settings do you suggest?

[craiglee]

there's no way for me to know that. maybe scout the location beforehand and meter.