car show help..

[STARRIDER]

once again i call on you guys for some expert advice..i am soon going to an indoor modified car show at the nec Birmingham here in uk and would like some advice about lighting..lens etc to use..
i have a 20D
17-40L
24-70L
50mm 1.4
70-200L IS 2.8
canon 420 flash
think i must use flash.but not sure which lens to take..anyone with experience of indoor shows of this kind?..tips very much appreciated..
Regards Dave..

[Moppie]

The pros will be offer to give you the better advice, however:

Make sure you have a tripod, first of all it allows you to go with out a flash, and shoot low ISO long exposures, second of all it scares away people who might otherwise stand in your shot.
If you have a slave/off camera flash, or access to one, use it, either on another tripod, or take someone to hold it for you.
The lighting in most indoor car shows tends to be very uneven, At least 2 differnt sorts of light will be on each car, and seeing 3 or more lighting a car is not uncommon.
You will get light from over head venue lights, outside light finding its way in skylights, doors etc, and random lights from display stands etc.
Custom white balance is a must if your not useing the flash.
I tend to walk about the show at least once before I start shooting. Take note of what cars are interesting, what light is where, note if it will change during the course of the day. For example a car in front of an open door might be best left untill after the sun has moved.
I will also take note of reflections, controlling and exposing for them will be your biggest challange.
If your useing a flash, and this why a slave is very usefull, you should be able to over power most of the venue and display based lighting, but be aware of glare from differnt surfaces, a large chrome surface will reflect light differntly to a large painted surface next to it.

And,
While I don't have access to your collection of glass, if I did I would take the 17-40L to get in nice and close to the cars and avoid things like other people and rope barriers, and because the cars are generaly crammed close together.
I would also pack the 70-200L IS 2.8, because depending on how the show is layed out the extra reach might be usefull.

[STARRIDER]

Thanks Moppie..you have given me so much help here..

[Mark0159]

First off I would recommend that you take the 17-40 and the 20-70, the 17mm range should be enough to get the complete car in the picture with out standing to far back.

In the couple of car shows that I have been to, nothing yet has made me need the reach of a 200mm lens.

the rest comes down to what kinda of photos you want to capture. as nice as it is to have a complete shot of a car, it's also the details that are interesting as well. This is where having the lens wide open (eg f2.8) you can get some really nice photos.

This is where the 50mm 1.4 will come in handy. but in saying that, you could find that the 20-70 might full in for this. So far I have only used the natural lighting and have got good results.

So I would recommend that you use the flash only when you need to. You are using the 20d so you have got less noise at higher iso. This can be used here without a worry. Just don't pixel peep.

I would also recommend that you walk around before taking any shots, you have got all day and you aren't using film ;) also keep in mind what type of shots you would like to take, and for all cars that you like take 2 of each. So if you like shots the wheels for example, then make sure that you take photos of all the wheels of the cars that you like. I have a habbit of just taking some and then looking back after the event and thinking I should have taken more. If you are unsure of what kinda of photos to shoot, write them down before hand.

And don't forget to have fun :)

Mark

[PhotosGuy]

Take a look at the "Edit 2/7/05" info on exposure at a car show here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281

I shouldn't expect that you'll need any more than the 17-40 & a tripod. If you can, some shows allow you to get in on the Friday before which helps as there aren't as many people there then.