Prom Pics for Noob

Hi,

I am going to the prom tomorrow as a chaperone and want to try out my new T3i, but being a total noob, I will need some guidance. It will be pretty dark and the kids will be moving. I have the kit lens and a 55-250. Any advice as far as lens choice and camera settings? I can take my tripod, but that won't help much if the kids are moving, will it? Thanks!

Taking pictures indoors will be a challenge without a external flash. The 18-55 might be the best bet since the 55-250 is probably going to be too long indoors unless you are looking for solo shots. Good Luck!

I agree with that. You might wanna rent a 50 1.4 or another fast lens. That will help considerably.

Dont bother with current lenses.

Daship wrote in post #12187200
Dont bother with current lenses.

+1 , you have to have an external flash and some fast lens for decent quality shots , otherwise take P&S.

^ I'd argue you'd need an external flash OR a fast lens. I got some great shots at my prom's pre-party (or whatever they're called) using a yongnuo yn460-ii (manual) and at the time my 18-55 IS kit lens.

being a manual flash you need to take a few exposures until you find the right one, but once I did I was able to just hand the camera to my mom and actually... you know... be in some of my prom pictures

so yeah I'd see which you can get easiest/fastest, the faster lenses will definitely be nice as you want have to mess with learning how to use a manual or ETTL flash in a matter of days

I'm taking prom shots err today as well

Good luck I'd suggest at least a 50mm 1.4 like everyone else has for low light even then without an external flash its going to be a bit difficult

Depending on room lighting, you could go either way. Just to be sure to get the shot, I'd take a 50mm f1.4 and a flash. Not to expensive to rent for a day and It'll improve your results immensely. Good luck!

Try:

1000 ISO
Anywhere from 1/6 to 1/10 shutter speed
f/3.5 at all times (NO ZOOMING)
Up the exposure
Use on camera flash

DO NOT zoom, as it will cause the aperture to shrink

Thanks for your input! All of the kids had fun at the prom, and I got some good snapshots. They aren't high art, but I think the students will like them.