nightclub/gig/show photography w/ sigma 500 DG super?

nightclub photography w/ sigma 500 DG super?

in reference to this thread... https://photography-on-the.net …62296&highlight​=nightclub

its coming in this friday, and the even that i want to use it for is on the 25th. live band, and might not have very good lighting. rules/tips/pointers to follow and use would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

maybe i posted in the wrong section of the forums... i forgot, PROs use THE 5-series =)

recently posted in the pro's section--forgot they dont have "sigma" in their vocab =)

anyways, in reference to this thread... https://photography-on-the.net …62296&highlight​=nightclub

its coming in this friday, and the even that i want to use it for is on the 25th. live band, and might not have very good lighting. rules/tips/pointers to follow and use would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

How far away from the band will you be? If you're within about 30-40 feet, set the camera on M, aperture at 5.6, shutter at 160, start at ISO of 100. If histogram shows underexposure, up the ISO and continue to check histogram for exposure.

why f/5.6?
why 1/160?

I agree about shooting in manual mode, but use whatever f/stop - shutter speed combination works for that particular situation.

cmM wrote:
why f/5.6?
why 1/160?

I agree about shooting in manual mode, but use whatever f/stop - shutter speed combination works for that particular situation.

You're right. However, for me, from trial and error, that's usually where I start. f5.6 gives me pretty good distance for my flash (420EX) and a decent DOF. If I'm fairly close I might go up to f8, or further away down to f4 or even lower if necessary or I want a small dof. As for the 1/160, again, for myself, it's sort of a default shutter speed I use with the flash, if I want more ambient light I'll go a little slower or open up to maybe f2.8 or f2 if necessary. Not too much slower on the shutter or I get the "shakes" involved. Again, that's just me, you're right, each situation needs customizing.

Are you shooting a band / DJ from farther away? or people from a few steps away?

i have done club photography of both. Both cases, I use ISO 200 and manual settings, and just shoot until I get it right. Usually 1/16 or 1/32 depending on how dark it is for the close ups, and 1/8 or so for the further away shots. Also, play with curtain sync and the multi-strobe features...

Look here

http://www.ekreating.c​om/gallery/index.php?g​roupid=1


And click on each exhibition and then choose Detail Listing 1 up in the Menu,

You will then See all EXIF data for the photos.

Here are my suggestions and things I use often. But I chage my settings a million times a night

Use Bounce flash, Second Curtain, Bulb mode, Crazy angles, get creative, I start my F around 5 and go up or down.

i'll be free to move around. it looks like i have to read up on a couple of subjects and get it somewhat right w/in a week =)

eric-great collection. i looked through a couple of photos, seems that you dont really have a definite setting. the ones i'm really digging are the motion shots (ones were i think you utilized the second curtain of the flash?), and portraits (for the attendees). for the motion shots, which setting do you find yourself using more and more (both on your 20D and your flash, FEC/etc etc...)? how and for the portrait shots?

jeff-i'd like to see your techniques' result(s)... gotta take in whatever i can w/in a week's period ^^

thanks all for, keep 'em coming

Forget the flash - read this.

http://www.photo.net …rts/mirarchi/co​ncer_1.htm

For motion blur, I use a slow shutter speed like 1/30 down to 1/10 of a second. But I also use Bulb mode and then it is trial and error.

At any given event, I usually take 2-3 pictures of the same shots, and only keep one. Then when I get home I usually pick the best 50% of the shots, and publish them. I find it easier to delete a shot if it is bad right after shoot, rather than filling up my CF card and goign through 500 shots and keeping 75 in post production.

Other settings I use, on the flash, If it is too dark and I only need a little light, I use tge Flash in Manual and put it to 1/125. But I also use Second Curtain combined with the previously mentioned shutter speeds.

As for portraits, I usually have my f around f 5.6-8,a nd shutter 1/80- 1/150.

I will shooting another even tonight and I am looking forward to seeing your work.

Here are two other photgraphers that I have worked with. Just to give some more ideas.


http://www.cooljunkie.​com/galleries/miami.ht​ml
http://www.ryanpfeiffe​r.com/Raves/ravepage.h​tm

Piku, Here's a few shots I took a while back at Coyote Ugly (a bar). Shot on M, f5.6, I think the shutter was 1/160 or thereabouts. Used my 420EX and a Lumiquest mini-softbox on it.

http://www.pbase.com/s​nibbetsj/coyote_ugly

jeff--thanks, i'll take a look at those more closely when i get home.

on another note, thanks for the settings camera-wise but can we get some settings that ppl use on their flash (it'll help if its specific to the sigma 500 DG super as well).

also, will using a stofen omnibounce help? on some shots, on particular shots that is, if so which types?

TIA

ps. know any shops in SF/area that sells the stofen omnibounce model #om-c? i ordered one through bhphoto but it aint getting here till late next week. i need one for sunday night...so yah

You don't need an omnibounce for concerts, because you shouldn't use a flash. Even if you could use a flash you're unlikely to be able to bounce it. If you're allowed to and need to just use the flash on ETTL2, perhaps use FEC-1 so that it doesn't overpower the stage lighting, if there's no stage lighting just use plain old flash. btw the Omnibounce shouldn't be used if you're not bouncing the flash, people come out orange.

oh yah, before i forget most of the primary comments are set to ETTL correct?

qualitatively from the top of your head... for bulb mode, which ISO do usually find yourself using and getting the best pics from? (i dont think the listing includes this thats why i'm asking)... ISO for portraits? the flash? FEC (/distance)?