Event Photography

[Pegasus2]

Hypotheticaly speaking, I've been asked to do an event. It's a leavers party and will be in a dimly lit Marquee in the evening going on till late at night. I've not done event or flash photography before but the bulk of my photographic experiance lies in long exposure/light paining/night work.

I've got a 550D

Equipment wise, should I go with a 430 Speedlite and a 50mm f/1.8? or go with a 18-55 f/3.5?

Does that sound ok?

Cheers, Peg.

 

[daharro]

Either lenses will work well with the flash, I'd be tempted to go with the zoom for some flexibility you may not have much space to get the distance a 50 will need. With the flash I'd try a bit of rear curtain aswell to mix it up a bit. Depends on the event and the people your shooting really.

 

[kentdiscos]

Hey buddy,
This is our main sort of thing too, we use a 600d (so near enough same body), 430exii, and the 50mm 1.8 if we want shallow dof, but otherwise stick to the kit lens as its a bit easier.

As the marquees are white/ivory silk we point the flash with a diffuser up at about 80 degrees which gives some nice light, check out some photos of a 50th birthday we did this weekend - www.facebook.com/Kent.discos

We're no way professionals or anything but seems to work for us

Jack

 

[Russ77]

As above with the addition that the the 50mm might be a bit too long in that kind of environment, especially if it's very crowded.

The 18-135 should be fine and will give you a bit more flexibility if you want to do some candid shots