Partys and dimley lit areas

Snaggle · 29 Jul 2019 at 15:45

I have kinda turned into the family photographer (due to me hating family social events so keep myself busy with my camera) They have asked me to do a birthday party which i will assume will be in a dark badly lit hall with flashing disco lights. I dont normally take pics at these events but i did try a few months ago and the majority of the shots were pretty poor .

Is there a default standard setting for this kinda stuff? I tried with flash (proper one not on camera) and withough.. tried with 50mm prime but nothing really improved my shots
Any tips would be very handy .

Gear if it matters is 700d with variety of lenses 50mm 1.8/10-20mm sigma/28-80mm canon / 100-300mm canon and hotshoe flash with adjustable head

Regards

Snaggle

SupraWez · 29 Jul 2019 at 15:55

The nifty fifty lens you have should be perfect for this, maybe invest in a sock / diffuser to put over the flash.

I am sure some more experienced folks will be along soon with more advice

i know nothing · 30 Jul 2019 at 01:32

You really want one of the forums resident wedding photographers to answer this as they would do this sort of thing all the time.

As for myself, if I can't bounce the (on camera) flash which is always my first choice, I deploy a flash bounce card (generic one that costs about a tenner, think 'Rogue Flashbender' style) and I set my camera up for an ISO anywhere between 400-3200, f2.8-5.6 (I use a 24-70mm f2.8 lens) and a shutter speed of 1/40th to 1/160th. All kind of depends on how much ambient you want really. I tend to start with ISO800, f4 and 1/80th and go from there. I use TTL with on camera flash as I get excellent results with it, but I use manual for fixed position (off camera) flash.

I have no idea what sort of camera the 700D is, or what it's capable of, but I suspect if it's a reasonably modern one it should manage the above without an issue.

SupraWez · 30 Jul 2019 at 12:23

If my memory is correct the Canon 700D is a pretty capable unit.

You can act a pro and go full manual if you like but I usually select either Tv or Av as you only have to adjust half the settings

Steeps · 31 Jul 2019 at 00:09

Don't be afraid to drag the shutter or use direct flash with the flashgun. If you're having to get close to groups I'd use the 10-20mm and zoom to fit. Camera in full manual and direct flash in ETTL. Set your ISO to how bright the lighting/atmosphere is and your shutter speed to capture the movement within the lights. In larger nightclubs I'd often have to use ISO1600+ and a shutter speed of 1/3 to get the brightness in the background with the movement of lights but the last family party I shot was at 1/50 ISO800 because they had a large array of lighting filling the whole room. Expose for your surroundings as if you have no flash, then use the flash to freeze and light your subjects directly.

GSXRMovistar · 31 Jul 2019 at 09:41

If you are going as also a guest (i.e. being able to enjoy yourself, have a drink etc) then stick with the 50mm, angle the flash so its either pointing straight up, to upwards to an angle, fit a diffuser, put camera in auto or AV, set flash to ETTL, take photos but more importantly enjoy yourself.