Any tips for a charity event shoot?

[Triggaaar]

I'm taking some pics of a charity event, which will be held in a restaurant (whilst not open to the public) from 5-6pm. I'm not sure how it will be setup inside, or close people will be to the windows (or whether there's a suitable ceiling for bouncing flash), so I don't know how much ambient light there will be. I'll be there just over half hour before it starts to take some pics of those who work for the charity, so I'll decide what to do with flash and ambient light then.

There should be about 20/30 guests, and the charity want some story telling shots of the speakers and guests. I'll have my D700 and SB800 and a collection of lenses in the bag. I'm thinking I'll mostly want wide to std angle to help tell the story, but any tips are welcome. I don't know whether to consider off camera flash (could stick it on a tripod and move with it) or just keep it simple and balance the flash with ambient light.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

 

[Jayst84]

"Just shoot the arse off it." The instructions I usually get before an event. Works to a point as well. Shoot everyone, a few times. Be hard if it's an eating thing though, people don't look good eating.

Personally I wouldn't bother with off camera flash, just going to get in the way. Unless you hold you flashgun in one hand while you shoot. But then you may as well just be bouncing it. You could set up a brolly or something for the speeches if you want (if there's room / time).

Be relaxed and friendly when you're shooting goes without saying. Take some long exposures of the room for the mood shots, and to show how well attended it was. Go outside to take pics. Shoot through windows, shoot through flower arrangements, look for details. Events like that are pretty easy really, if you see it, shoot it.

 

[Triggaaar]

Be hard if it's an eating thing though, people don't look good eating.

Fortunately the location isn't for them to eat, just a handy location that was free I assume.

Personally I wouldn't bother with off camera flash, just going to get in the way.

I think for 25 mins or so everyone will be seated, so I could probably do it then without people triping over anything, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I don't know how they'd feel about me having a brolly, whether they'd think it was nice I was going to the effort, or a bit overkill for what they've asked for.

Be relaxed and friendly when you're shooting goes without saying.

Always

Take some long exposures of the room for the mood shots, and to show how well attended it was.

Oo, how long are you thinking? Different ways of doing it I'm sure, but be nice to know what you have in your mind. - edit - just had a look through the images on your site. I'm expecting the venue to be a bit bland by comparison, but I'll see what I can do.

Go outside to take pics. Shoot through windows, shoot through flower arrangements, look for details.

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

 

[awp]

Bounce flash is the way to go - no brolly - you'll stop people seeing the speaker. You need a 70 (or 80) - 200 for the speaker/close-ups and a 24-70 for everything else - two bodies/flashes would be best too. If you can't bounce flash - then up the ISO 3200 is no problem for a D700. Everything hand held - keep mobile - keep shooting! Very straightforward kind of job really.

 

[Triggaaar]

You need a 70 (or 80) - 200 for the speaker/close-ups and a 24-70 for everything else - two bodies/flashes would be best too.

Not yet got my second D700 or the 24-70 (they're high up the list). Will have 80-200 f2.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.4, and 17-35 f2.8/4, so will have to be lens swapping.

If you can't bounce flash - then up the ISO 3200 is no problem for a D700.

I'm happy to up the iso, but if the windows are behind everyone I might do well to balance the light with some diffused flash.

Very straightforward kind of job really.

Yes it is. Thought I'd get some tips from people who shoot events though.

 

[awp]

17-35mm would be good for your wider shots. I think you've got it sussed.