First time shooting at a night club, any pointers?

Since my friend is a guest DJ at Stone Lotus in Chicago I'm going to tag along to shoot. I have no idea what the venue is like, from pictures it seems like a superlouge style place with lower ceilings.

I've read up on most of the Night Club photography topics, but since I haven't had time to do a lot of research I figured I could have easily overlooked some quick pointers.

I have a 430EX Flash without a diffuser, I'm thinking of rigging it with a index card. Does anyone know how many shots 4 AA's are good for in the flash? Should I bring spares? Any other quick way to rig this up? It'll be in the hotshoe.

I'm also going to bring both my lenses. If I can get away with just the 30mm I'd prefer to not bring the 24-70L.

Is a hood recommended? I know these places have ambient / direct lights lasers potentially shining around. From my memory I can't recall any club photog running around with a big lens.

So for candids do i just snap away? Do I need permission to ask to take photos?

I've gotten pretty good with hand held shots @ 1/15, I hope @ f2.8 it'll retain sharpness. I'm sure everyone shoots in RAW, but since I only have a 4GB and 2GB card I might not have the luxury to snap that many photos.

This is a non paid gig, and I don't think I'd be likely to do it unless it's as a favor.. or they pay me enough. I'll definately post some pictures to share!!

I'd use the hood just for protection. You might want to ask with regard to using the flash and perhaps the clubs photo policy in general. I would try to shoot raw, if anything, just to have the ability to play with the WB.

If you're shooting your friend & the crowd, I wouldn't use any/much flash, as you'll lose the colors of the lighting that's there.
IF I used a flash for that, I'd try some with a colored gell on it.

Be carefull with the camera too the place is very very small and gets crowded, def bring the hood.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I have no idea what the venue is like, from pictures it seems like a superlouge style place with lower ceilings.

Ask them...

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I have a 430EX Flash without a diffuser, I'm thinking of rigging it with a index card.

Good idea IMO

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
Should I bring spares?

*Allways* bring spares.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I'm also going to bring both my lenses. If I can get away with just the 30mm I'd prefer to not bring the 24-70L.

IMO the 30mm won't be wide enough, but it'll be nice for some (non flash) snapshots. Bring both.
(If you have kit lens, bring that as well: I think you'll want the 18mm width)

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
Is a hood recommended?

Always use a hood.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
From my memory I can't recall any club photog running around with a big lens.

Size doesn't matter
Skill does. I know a few who get great results with the 18-55, and I know some who get crap with a 24-70L.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
So for candids do i just snap away? Do I need permission to ask to take photos?

Ask them to find out. Since you're coming along with the DJ, it'll probably be okay, but ask anyway.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I've gotten pretty good with hand held shots @ 1/15, I hope @ f2.8 it'll retain sharpness.

Motion blur (or the lack of it) is determined by the ration between ambient and flash on the subject. DoF can be too shallow for group shots at f/2.8.
Use high ISO.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I'm sure everyone shoots in RAW, but since I only have a 4GB and 2GB card I might not have the luxury to snap that many photos.

6Gb is about 500 shots with my 1D2 in Raw. I'd say that's plenty. Shoot Raw. Buy another card if you have to, but shoot Raw!

pixelharmony wrote in post #5674095
I'll definately post some pictures to share!!

Please do.

crn3371 wrote in post #5675262
I'd use the hood just for protection. You might want to ask with regard to using the flash and perhaps the clubs photo policy in general. I would try to shoot raw, if anything, just to have the ability to play with the WB.

All good points.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #5675389
If you're shooting your friend & the crowd, I wouldn't use any/much flash, as you'll lose the colors of the lighting that's there.
IF I used a flash for that, I'd try some with a colored gell on it.

For the crowd, flash very probably is a necessity. For the DJ on stage, flash likely is only needed as fill.
You will not "loose the colors" if you use a long enough shutter speed.
Good point on gelling the flash.