Shooting in night clubs

Hello,

sorry about being Nikon guy and asking about equipment here, but this board is really the best photography forum on the Internet I'm aware of.

So, I'm going tomorrow to take some pictures in night clubs, dance floors and stuff like that. I'm not a beginner at all, but I never did this type of photography so I would like to get some advices from you guys.

In the moment, I can take with me Nikon D700, 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4 and 70-200 f/2.8 all Nikon lenses, and SB-900 flash. I also have two Vivitar manual flashes and wireless triggers but that does not look like convenient stuff for this type of photography.

I would like to take as less stuff as I can with me, so preferably leave my bag at home if possible. I don't want to leave equipment that won't use in vehicle near shooting location because of possiblility of theft. So, I'm now thinking what to take with me, and what to leave at home. Any suggestion?

And also, any tips about your preferred shooting techniques in that environment (dark, mixed color light show, dance floor, etc...)?

Thanks a lot!

I've shot a few times for a show in a night club. This is what I learned from it.

1. You need to be able to change lenses quickly so miss the least amount of time during the performance.

2. Since you'll be moving around taking shots from different angles, you need to be able to carry with you a couple of fast lenses. Bring a small fanny pack if possible and put a couple lenses in there for quick lens changes.

3. The key is to be very mobile and quick so try to leave as much equipment in your car but don't leave them at home in case you really need to get something from your bag.

4. I honestly though I'd be constantly using my flash but it just completely ruins the mood because the flash overpowers everything. I've tried to even put it on the lowest setting but maybe it's cause I'm not that experienced with flash. I was also shooting a show so flash would be very distracting to the audience and performers.

Actually now that I think about it, you're probably shooting a free flowing club with people walking all around, instead of a show in a night club. Very different environments inside the same environment. Since I wrote all this anyways, I'll just keep it up for anyone who needs the advice.

How did it go?
I'd bring the flash and the 24mm. The longer lenses will work for a posed portrait or a snapshot detail, but not for "audience shots".

Gel the flash to match ambient color temperature, drag the shutter.

Shooting audiences with a wider angle gives a more "involved" image.

Some examples (exif should be there). All 17-35 on a 1D3, except the last (50mm)

http://www.damkot.com …ine/110423_Xit/​index.html

Nice picts. How do you go about shooting in a night club? Do you contact the owner and ask for permission? Do you ask these people to sign model releases? I've noticed you have your copyright "all rights reserved" but have those people signed the releases?

I am just trying to learn legal stuff about photography

I shoot for the club, and the images end up on the website.
www.atak.nl/pics

The audience is aware that images are being taken (there's a sign at the door), and since they are not used commercially, it's okay in the Netherlands AFAIK. If someone complains about an image, it's taken down.