Michael Christy

I am asked to take pictures of a Christmas Party. There may be more than 150 people. I may have to take pictures of multiple tables (as they eat) and other programs.
Kindly advice me on the lenses I may need plus my flash set up. I have a D300 and aNikon 910 Speedlite.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

What is the venue? A large hall? A restaurant? Someone’s home? Are the ceilings high or low? Are the walls painted dark or light? Is there a dress theme (black tie, colorful costumes)?

Michael Christy

It is a large hall; ceilings may b 25 ft. high. Walls are lite colored. No costumes, most of them are employees with lite blue shirts and dark blue pants.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I had to do a wedding for a relative with the wedding hall sight unseen recently. I did well with a Sigma 18-250 because the light was good, most of the best pictures were from 70-120mm, since this tends to flatten out facial features and make people look more attractive. Plus, you don't have to get right into their faces and the wide angle, fish eye effect is not flattering (unless you are a fish!). The ceilings were low enough that I bounced my flash off of them for pictures that required it. Good luck, I'd much rather shoot wildlife and birds. They are more cooperative.

Michael Christy

thanks for your advice.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

So you won't, for the most part, be close enough to a surface to bounce your flash off the wall or ceiling. Sounds like you will need a flash and a diffuser or a way to get your flash off camera. For this kind of event, a diffuser of some type should be enough to cut down the harsh effects of a direct flash.

Michael Christy

Sure.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Wide angle lens, with flash, a flash diffuser (45 degree angle up), lots of batteries for the flash, Manual Mode, Aperture between f/5.6 and f/8, shutter speed initially at 1/50 .sec or 1/60 .sec, adjust ISO to get proper exposure (400 would be a good starting point, and I've gone as high as 2000 - the flash will negate most noise).

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Wide angle lens, with flash, a flash diffuser (45 degree angle up), lots of batteries for the flash, Manual Mode, Aperture between f/5.6 and f/8, shutter speed initially at 1/50 .sec or 1/60 .sec, adjust ISO to get proper exposure (400 would be a good starting point, and I've gone as high as 2000 - the flash will negate most noise). I like a wide angle zoom (Canon 17-40mm or 16-35mm because it will let you frame your shot better). Get permission from host to walk up close to folks, and be sure he lets you know if any presentations will be made and from what spot - you want to be pre-staged to get the important stuff. Arrive 1 hour early to set up you camera and take at least 20 test shots in various parts of the room so you can get your levels correct. If you have "Live View", it is your friend during camera set up.

Michael Christy

Thanks a lot. I have a 28 mm 1.8(FX) & a 35.mm 1.8 (DX). Hope they will be a good use to photograph tables.

Photocraig

The 28mm will do well for the rectangular tables and the 35mm will do well for the round tables as people turn to face you.

Go shop for a good diffuser or light bender or mini softbox. I've gotten miles out of my Lumiquest. Even a bracket to get the flash off to the side of the lens axis will make shots more flattering. They should be within a modest budget.

Do some practise shots to see how much you can minimize the flash power. The ladies powder their noses because they hate them shiney--and for a host of other reasons.

Michael Christy

Really appreciate your input.
thanks

Mormorazzi Loc: Temple, Texas

I do a lot of event photography. I concur with using a light bender or mini soft box.

My first bit of advice is to try to get the photos of people before they start eating. Plan on getting photos as they're mingling or gathered near pretty decorations and where your lighting is the best. Try to capture photos of people interacting rather than the typical line-up shots. (Bob Yankle mentioned being there an hour early to determine your best camera and flash settings for the various locations. Ask people if they'll model for you for your test shots. These are often GREAT shots because they're relaxed!)

I'm not a fan of "table photos," as most people look better when they're standing up. You'll need a some table shots though, but get those BEFORE people start eating; the table settings will be nice and the partiers won't have food in their teeth. Also, you won't have to spend a lot of time moving beer bottles and crumpled napkins out of the way.

Be cognizant of your depth of field if you want everyone in a round or long table in focus. Keep your f-stop at 5.6, 8 or smaller.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

The Lite Scoop works well.

http://www.litegenius.com

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you have the ability to hold a camera steady; if you camera has a fast lens with VR capability; if the room is well lighted, I would attempt to take most shots without remotely located strobes or a camera mounted flash.

Then, if you absolutely must use a flash, try to take your shots at a distance that does not exceed the guide number limitations of your flash assembly.

The distance which you have described as, perhaps, being 150 people is a challenge regardless of what lighting set up you have ! If the room has enough lighting, I would suggest that you use a 24mm wide angle lens to take a full length shot down the entire table region, try to ask the people to hold steady, and then take the shot without any flash or strobe at all.. Take several shots and pick out the one where most people held steady would help, but, of course, you could take shots of segments of people seated at the table and then, use your flash that is integral with your camera.

Your assignment sounds as if it is going to be a tough one !