Event Photography

[cahelmer]

So I'm a still fairly novice photographer and I have been asked to shoot an event (happy hour mixer). I am not going to have enough time to rent equipment, so I'm using what I have at home. I own a Canon Rebel XTI with just the standard lense that came with the camera. I also have a external flash from an older canon that does not have the capabilities to point the flash at the ceiling (it's a fixed external flash). I have never used an external flash before and have begun playing with it last night Though I'm trying to figure out how to get the flash from making everything under the sun stark white. The shoot is at a restaurant/bar for a dating happy hour event, so the photos will mainly consist of group shots and candids. Can anyone give me any advice on how to do the best with what I've got?

[shooterfoto]

So I'm a still fairly novice photographer and I have been asked to shoot an event (happy hour mixer). I am not going to have enough time to rent equipment, so I'm using what I have at home. I own a Canon Rebel XTI with just the standard lense that came with the camera. I also have a external flash from an older canon that does not have the capabilities to point the flash at the ceiling (it's a fixed external flash). I have never used an external flash before and have begun playing with it last night Though I'm trying to figure out how to get the flash from making everything under the sun stark white. The shoot is at a restaurant/bar for a dating happy hour event, so the photos will mainly consist of group shots and candids. Can anyone give me any advice on how to do the best with what I've got?

Get some tissue paper and a rubber bang and put it over the flash. Switch to manual. Set your ISO to about 400 and crank down your shutter speed. Take a few test shots adjusting the tissue paper thickness and shutter speed....that would be my best guess at a solution.

[robsk8ter247]

Are you getting paid for this shoot? I hope you do not mind me asking. Check out strobist.com. They have great lighting info and even an article or two about working for free.

[jackies35]

Get there early! You can take some pics of the place or someone (owner, bartender, waistress) and make necessary adjustments. I have a 430 flash and it bounce all over the place (and it captures the setting and lighting perfectly). Since you don't, do exactly what shooterfoto stated....

The only thing I would be concern is the ISO... Indoor with 400 might be great (no or low noise) but I think it could be too dark (underexposed). i would try 800 but you need steady hands and stay close in highyly lit-areas!

Just my .12cent! good luck!