New Photo Challenge

I've been tasked with taking photos of an audience that will be viewing short films or movies...and of course I don't want to use my flash in this small theater.

So I'm assuming I will need my tripod, and use a slow shutter speed, and the available light from the screening of the show, since I don't want to use a flash in there.

Anyone done something similar and know what kind of manual settings I need to play with?

Thanks.

If you don't want to use your flash, I have a couple AB1600's that would do the trick

J/K

That screen is going to have to be awfully bright and your timing impeccable, or you'll have a lot of blurry heads from a long exposure. Doubly so because you'll need to stop down...Unless you only want a couple of rows in focus and lots of bokehpeople behind them.

That would probably work, getting a row or two in focus should be fine. I've still never done this and feel I will be fumbling around trying to get my settings right.

Sneak in there on a different night with your camera to get some practice shots? Or ask them to let you do a dry run first?

The gig is tonight...I might be able to do a dry run before hand, we'll see. Depends on how early I get there.

If it's a long movie, you'll have a couple hours to get it right. Use a large aperture prime lens like a 50 1.2. A tripod is a must. Also, there will be brighter parts of the movie (like outdoor scenes) that will give better light, so you'll have to wait and take lots of shots. Shoot in RAW so you can enhance better.

Also, You'll probably want a couple angles. A shot of the audience and screen should be easier and can be a fall back shot. Bring a couple friends and have them sit in the first few rows where it will be brightest. Have them hold an expression (like mouth gaping open or heavy concern).