Official photographer.......aahhhhh!!!!!

[faisal]

I got call today from my college asking me to be the official photographer for the graduations ceremony on the 17th of this month.

Basically I'm known as the guy who roams around with a SLR at all college events taking random pictures. Now they don't know that I only own a Basic lens...that is the Kit lens (plus a borrowed Sigma 170-500mm that will be useless in this situation).

I've given my camera for servicing (after the terror I put it through) and hopefully will get it back by next sunday. On that day itself I'm surely buying myself the Battery Grip, an Extra Battery and a 4GB memory card that with servicing is costing me $360.

Now back to the Official photographer business. This is what the hall is mostly going to look like (this is from another event at the same hotel but a different hall).



I'll be required to take photos of each student on stage, group photos, random crowd photos and individual photos after the ceremony etc....

Now I need to know if
1) I should take this work up with the current kit I have.
2) get a external flash (like the 430EX) and maybe a 50mm f1.8
3) not take it up at all

(note: I have a borrowed tripod with me if required)

keep in mind that I can't purchase any high end lens right now (but you could still tell me about them just in case I make my siblings pay for it).......

Btw I might get paid something around $50 for it but that really doesn't matter. If I do it, I'll be doing it for the experience and recommendation letter....

Any Advice is welcome....anything at all....

Thanks in advance....

[n20capri]

I just got the 50 1.8 and don't get me wrong it's awesome but it doesn't focus very fast at all and I missed a few shots on Christmas. If you can get everyone to pose and wait for a sec then def get it but if your trying to get quick shots while people are walking etc then be prepared.

As I said it's real nice just my experience over the last few weeks using it. Good luck and post the results (Oh and yes def take this "job")

[swpars]

For an event like that, I would definitely get an external flash and bounce it off the ceiling. In the Nikon world, that would be the SB-600 (which can tilt & swivel for portrait-format shooting). I assume the 430EX is similar.

Given the lighting provided by the flash, your kit lens should be fine. A 50mm f1.8 is more for ambient-light shooting indoors.

[faisal]

I'm basically looking at the 50mm f1.8 as a more sharper option to my kit lens as its really crappy when taking pictures of a group of people....

and yes I'll have a second to focus on my subjects while they pose with there certificates....

[coldrain]

If you just want "sharper" the 18-55 IS can also be an affordable idea.

[VTEC_EATER]

Well, if the job needs to be done on the cheap, the 50/1.8 and a rented flash is always an option. It would only set you back, maybe $150. I would think that you could get everything you needed for the job done with those two things.

[DonSchap]

Bring a handful of fully charged or brand new batteries ... because this sounds like a serious flash intensive exercise and flashes love to eat batteries for breakfast. Consider a heavier flash, too ... like the 580EX or maybe two (Master slave).

If you do only use one ... you might want to invest in a flash attachment to diffuse your flash a bit, instead of relying on an unpredictable ceiling bounce. The Gary Fong-ideas are really decent and can help you out a bit ... with either the "Puffer-pop", "Lightsphere" or reporter or studio "Whaletail"





These can make your work look truly "professional" and not a snapshot or "red-eyed" to death.

Why not give ol' Gary (Click here) a try? They ship NEXT DAY!

[JTL]

You will find the 430EX hardly acceptable in a hall such as that. You would be served by the 580EX. And, unless you've had a ton of practice using an external flash on your camera, you're in for a rude awakening...

[faisal]

@ Coldrain...the 18-55 IS isn't available here from the dealer...I asked....I'm going to check out the small stall like shops tomrw......but won't the 50mm be a better option???

@ VTEC_EATER.....renting equipment isn't a option available here.....unless its been an under the table business....I don't mind spending the money on the flash and lens....

@ DonSchap......I'm getting the battery grip, so that gives me two fully charged NB-2LH batteries plus I'll be carrying half a dozen AA batteries with me just in case.......I'll look into the Diffuser idea but could you ellaborate on the unpredictability of bouncing off the ceiling??....
I remember seeing a couple of professionals using a white visiting card attached to the top of the flash while bouncing it.....

plus red-eyed....don't DSLR have the ability to not have that....???

@ JTL....the rude awakening is just what I fear.....If I end up doing this....I'm planning to give myself atleast 6days to get used to the flash...plus I plan to go to the hall atleast a couple of hours early to make the required adjustment as per the ligthing available....

won't the 430EX be enough for portraits and shots of certificate handing out....???

[BBPhoto]

You will find the 430EX hardly acceptable in a hall such as that. You would be served by the 580EX. And, unless you've had a ton of practice using an external flash on your camera, you're in for a rude awakening...

Definitely agree with JTL. Someone above suggested bouncing off the ceiling too. That might be pretty tough in a hotel ballroom where ceilings are 20+ feet high. The best thing to do would be get access to the room before the event and experiment a little to see what gives you the best results.