Painting exibit - help

Ok, I need help.
Tommorow I am going to a friends painting exibit (opening) and she asked me to take a few photos (for free) . Since I only have 18-55mm (24-88 on my 400D) kit lens and 50 1.8 (80mm) and no flash, I need help. Are there some tricks that I could use. There will be a lot of light, since it will be in a library, so the lack of flash is not such a problem... I know that 50mm (80mm)is great for portraits, but it will be pretty hard to fit more people in the frame...

Are you taking pictures of the event or the paintings themselves?

The 50 isn't so great for group shots unless you have room to move. I'm not so sure about the kit lens in indoor light though...people will be moving and you'll want decent shutter speeds. Most libraries that I've been in aren't what I would call bright. Keep in mind that you have to be careful about the shallow dof of the 50 when taking group shots. I'd try the kit lens (meter off of things when you first get there), and if you're not getting decent shutter speeds, go with the 50, just be mindful of your dof.

bacchanal wrote in post #3276387
Are you taking pictures of the event or the paintings themselves?

The 50 isn't so great for group shots unless you have room to move. I'm not so sure about the kit lens in indoor light though...people will be moving and you'll want decent shutter speeds. Most libraries that I've been in aren't what I would call bright. Keep in mind that you have to be careful about the shallow dof of the 50 when taking group shots. I'd try the kit lens (meter off of things when you first get there), and if you're not getting decent shutter speeds, go with the 50, just be mindful of your dof.

Thank you for the answer
I will be taking pictures of the event, maybe a few paintings, but only maybe.
I have found a photo of the librarie on the net. It is a horrible picture, but... you can see that the light is ok, there is a huge winodw (behind the two of them), so that helps...

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The camera flash isn't horrible. If you need it use it, just try to meter for ambient as much as possible (where you still have some shutter speed), so the flash won't look so un-natural. Use Av or Tv mode with some -EC, iso 400/800 (going higher won't hurt).
The 50 isn't too limiting. When I got my 30D, my only lense was the 50 1.4. You have to move around a bit, but you can make it work. Large groups are going to be tough or impossible, but the 50 is actually a great length for a lot of things, and it's not a bad thing to have a little separation between you and your subject if you want to shoot candid type shots.

Sounds exciting... good luck with your venture... and post the results here soon...

I'd take both lenses along and start with the 50mm, up close with no flash... If the shutter speed is too slow (slower than 1/60th), use the flash... and switch lenses for wider angles...

It will be fun... enjoy...

Thank you
Ok, so you think 50 would be better. Should I bring the kit lens also, just in case? I am also going to be a guest (high heels and all ) so I can`t have to many things

johnstoy wrote in post #3276603
Sounds exciting... good luck with your venture... and post the results here soon...

I'd take both lenses along and start with the 50mm, up close with no flash... If the shutter speed is too slow (slower than 1/60th), use the flash... and swich lenses for wider angles...

It will be fun... enjoy...

thanks, I will put the photos, of course

I would be happier with two lenses, but I will be all dressed up, so i can`t have to many things

fresharoma wrote in post #3276614
thanks, I will put the photos, of course

I would be happier with two lenses, but I will be all dressed up, so i can`t have to many things

If it is a formal affair... Flash might not be that appropriate... also if it is formal, than the 50mm might be better, because it will work to some extent in low light with out flash...

And if you can shoot without flash, no one will notice that you're taking pics... Plus the idea is to take as many pics as possible to pick out the best ones when you get back home...

If the concert is loud, as most are, than the "click" of the shutter isn't noticeable, so be discrete and shoot away...