Shooting a fashion show

So a friend of mine asked me if I'd shoot his fashon show. It will be indoors in a pretty big event center. perhaps a couple hundred people will be there. In the past he has gone super low budget, got his friend to shoot it with a point and shoot, the pictures are very bad. He knows I am a budding amateur and looking for experience, so, not a lot of pressure, but...I want to do a good job...Fro him...and for me
it's about 2 months away so I have some time. My gear should be listed on my Signature, so what a ya think, it will probably be dark in the audience and bright lights on stage...I'm missing any key lenses? will the 70-200 2.8 and the 24-70 be nice perhaps with my 430 EX and a tripod?
Any tips and or suggestions would be much appreciated.
If I do this right, it could turn into a regular thing...and...well...i​t's my dream to shoot events for $ someday....

i think it would be a great start for getting to someday do this for some loot. that is very awesome that he asked you to do this for him. i would be flattered. im not great with the gear because i have just started this as a hobby for now. but that is super fantastic that you get to do this soon. i hope people answer your questions soon. and i wish you all the best luck.

Thanks Shanny....Anyone?

Lens wise I think you should have it covered. I would leave th 24-105 at home and work with the 24-70 and 70-200. You might very well need the 2.8 that these offer you. I would ask your friend if you can use flash during the show. It is always nice to be able to get some shots at a higher shutter speed and lower ISO.

You mention that it is dark in the audience, you aren't going to have to sit there are you and shoot. You should have some freedom to move around the catwalk and shoot from different angles. Otherwise every shot will look relatively the same with only the model changing in each one.

The last fashion show I shot I used nothing but the flash. The models were moving too fast & it was too dark even for f/2.8.

Make sure you have fresh batteries at the start of the show ( I changed mine after shooting the makeup & hair sessions.)

No tripod, unless they plan on stopping to pose. Long enough for you to line up your shot. I never looked away from my viewfinder & shot a burst as then walked to catch a good moving shot & again when they posed.

Fashion Show Tips-

1) Get there early to get prime position-usually end of the runway slightly to the left. You will need an unobstructed head to toe view. Shoot as close to even level as you can.
2) Lens choices just depend on distance and length of the runway.
3) Shoot in manual mode, partial metering, centerpoint focus to get best flash performance. Try ISO400, F4, 1/200th as a starting point. Balance mostly flash with some ambient. Practice at rehearsal to dial in your settings.
4) Use flash head on for best recylce time-a battery pack is the best option.
5) Shoot bursts of pictures at the posing points. Try to get full length and 3/4 poses.
6) Most amateur models walk way too fast-get the coordinator to show them the posing points and get them to walk slower.
7) Get the models to sign a model release to you and the event organizer.

In general-this is very hard photography-practice all you can.

Good Luck-
Scott

Thanks for all the respones, I'm gonna head down to a similar venue for some practice the next few weekends. I'm sure I'll have the full floor to shoot so I won't be limited to the audience...just wanted to describe the event
Question:
"Shoot as close to even level as you can."
Should I try to get on the stage or do as suggested and start front left perhaps moving as the models come down. maybe bring a stool?

Yes, does seem like it wil be tough, but, It'll be a great experience.

Any books one would suggest, as, I have some time and want to suck up as much info as possible

Again, thank you so much for your input, you guys are great.

-Matt

If you're going to be rocking a flash I'd get a bracket.

Shadowplay wrote in post #3534270
If you're going to be rocking a flash I'd get a bracket.

Can you please explain?

thatkatmat wrote in post #3534553
Can you please explain?

Certainly.

I just meant that if you're going to be using an external flash such as your 430ex that I would use a flash bracket. I would guess you will shoot a fair bit in the portrait orientation given the subject matter. This would put the flash to the side of your lens and cast a sideways shadow along the side of your subjects. A rotating flash bracket will keep the flash over your lens to minimize nasty (in my opinion) side shadows.

:p OK, I'm a dork, i thought "rocking a flash" was some sort of technique

thatkatmat wrote in post #3535987
:p OK, I'm a dork, i thought "rocking a flash" was some sort of technique

I'm sure it is, but I have no idea what it entails

Catwalk Photography
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=116753

Just my experience, but I have used my 70-200/f2.8L IS lens for every runway type shoot I have done, except one (which was before I had my 70-200 )
The reason is the 70-200 gives me the range to get great shots of the models, while staying out of the way of the spectators. I usually take my 28-70/2.8 just in case, so take your 24-70 just in case.

And note that this has been with both my 10D and my 1DsMkII and with and without my 550EX.

Edit: I really should read the linked threads before I reply - apparently I keep repeating myself

wow, this is super helpful. im in the same position.