small graduation

[SueInBoston]

Hi,
I've been asked to take pictures for middle school graduation. I did this last year and found that I had trouble controlling my settings. Graduation is outdoor and last year there were rain showers, so I had clouds and sun all together. Then I was doing each graduate getting their diploma, but I found it really challagning because the light was changing and the kid's coloring also changing, one minute I was shooting an african american boy in a dark suit but the next kid was a fair blue eye blond with a pale pink dress ( she ended up way over exposed).

I'm really tempted to shoot in auto, but know that's the lazy way out. Any suggestions? btw, I'm not being paid, just volunteering for the PTO. PTO has always been grateful for any of my pictures, but since this is a special occasion, I really want to try to do better than 'auto'.

Oh, I know about raw, but don't think I want to manually adjust 60+ kids photos.

ps I shot with 40D, probably Tamron 17-50 f2.8, or Sigma 18-200 OS, speedlite 430ex.

Thanks for any advice...

[Exposure101]

You should shoot in Av mode so you don't have to worry about the changing conditions, just the shutter speed. That way you can shoot in RAW and edit the pictures later if needed.

[JackLiu]

Consider setting your camera to [1] Program AE mode and [2] Center-weighted average metering. The former will allow the DSLR to make the exposure and the latter will take into consideration light/dark subjects. Also shoot RAW + JPEG. For those exceptional images, you have a second chance to redeem images with RAW files during post processing.

[SueInBoston]

Thank you!

[Bkolowski111]

Av mode is the way to go in that situation. I would suggest shooting RAW, with Av mode your exposures should be close enough to dead on to where you really would probably have to make minimal changes afterwards, but its nice to have the option if you need it. Good luck!

[tim]

P mode, no flash, learn to use exposure compensation and a histogram. Or have them hire someone at least who knows how to use a camera.

[SueInBoston]

Or have them hire someone at least who knows how to use a camera.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[BCRose]

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

pay no attention Sue, there is always one of these people on every forum.

You got some good advice from other helpful people here, just go for it and do your best, I have a feeling you will do just fine.

[Eagle]

P mode, no flash, learn to use exposure compensation and a histogram. Or have them hire someone at least who knows how to use a camera.

pay no attention Sue, there is always one of these people on every forum.

Tim is one of the people here you should pay attention to.