Do I do this shoot?

Guitarman0

Guitarman0

Guitarman0

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Worcestershire
O.k. so first let me tell you the gear I currently have

Canon 550D with 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS lens
55-250mm f4-5.6 IS lens

Now, my friend has given me an opportunity to photograph this local charity fashion show and I would quite like to do it as I am thinking of trying to get some work experience in photography so my question is....is my gear up to the job? Personally I think I just don't have a fast enough lens and the photos won't turn out great (which would mean it is a bit pointless going IMO).

What do you guys reckon?

Cheers
 
It's a charity fashion show, I hardly think they're too fussed about the image quality so long as there are images.

You might consider picking up a Canon 50mm f/1.8 Nifty Fifty, that'll most likely do you for depth of field and image quality and only costs about £70.
 
If you can try to buy/sell quickly with a piece of gear thats useful.

So in this case buy a used lens/flashgun (maybe a 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8 etc. or a 550/580ex) then do the shoot and sell it the next few weeks, so long as you buy well and use PPG each way you only loose out on P&P fees.

If you using a flash do your best to bounce it to soften the light. And consider using some gels to match with ambient light depending on how you want to work.
 
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I would have thought plan your shots in advance.
Even with standard equipment, an eye for a shot will show more than having a £1000 lens.
What you dont want to be doing it running around like an amateur snapping away at anything that move.
Be in the right position in advance.
 
Thanks for the info guys. To be honest I can't really mess around too much with money at the moment as I am saving for a camera of my own (technically the 550D is my dads) so I have no money to spend.

I think I might just pass on this one.

EDIT: TheJackal, I just think with such high fstop lenses I am going to have to use ISO 3200 or even 6400 which will give bad results IMO.
 
If they are going to rely on these photographs for anything then no, perhaps not. But if you're doing it for nothing and they have nobody else lined up then just do it - I would. So what if you have to push the ISO sky high?

Just go for the experience, you might be surprised at what you learn.
 
As others have said, depends on what they are expecting from the final images.

Ultimately as a charity it no doubt is more important for somebody to be giving their time and working for free than hiring a paid professional.

I think a flash gun would be a necessity though for this kind of work.
 
Sounds like fun. Why not just tell them that you don't necessarily have the equipment/experience, but would like to go along and take some photos anyway even if they are using someone else for the photos that they rely on.
 
What they all said ^

Fast glass, higher ISO and be quick on the trigger and get a decent white balance sorted out.

Ive got away with my D700, 24-70 f/2.8 and ISO 1600-3200 for things like this plus a bit of grain removal afterwards.
 
Possibly look at renting a flash gun and fast lens but its a charity do, just go and have fun.

But remember don't oversell your self. Charities are normally just happy to have the help.
 
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