I need some advice for event photography

[lonelyjew]

These events aren't exactly family events but I thought it'd be more appropriate to post here than in people photography.

I have never done event photography and was hoping to get some advice in advance of these events. I will be photographing several events for an honor society I'm an officer in as well as doing a bit of photography for a children's hospital I volunteer at.

For my honor society, in the immediate future, I know I'll be photographing at a soup kitchen we're collaborating with and then an induction ceremony. The hospital, as it was described to me, would be taking pictures of other volunteers with the children. They didn't say much so I was hoping to try to go for more candids than posed photographs.

As far as gear that I planned to possibly use goes I have Canon Rebel XT, a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 macro, a Canon 55-250, a 580EX II, a tripod, and remote. I honestly don't see using the tripod and remote for anything but group shots with me in them but if anyone has any other ideas for them I'm more than open to them.

As I mentioned, I'm new to this type of photography so any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

[tim]

I would just use the 18-50 in P mode with fill flash if there's plenty of light. If there's not much light use ISO1600, F2.8, 1/100th, FEC+1, bounce card out, flash pointed at the ceiling if it's white, direct flash if it's not.