AaaHaHa ! Adaptability relates to the survival of a species!
American Standards Association vs International Standards Organization But the standards are the same.
When I am shooting people, I almost exclusively shoot aperture priority to drive my DoF. I also almost exclusively use center point focus and center dot metering. I focus on the eyes, meter on the face, using the exposure lock button. Once focus and exposure are locked, I recompose the frame and shoot. That may sound complicated, but with a little practice it gets pretty automatic. On Canons, when you touch the exposure lock, you have 8 seconds of to take the shot. I don't know your Nikon model, but I do remember hearing that Nikon makes you continue to hold the exposure lock button till you shoot.
It would be the Camian ...
I am not sure I believe it, but I have heard hummer photogs claim that since the flash is of such a short duration, the birds are not capable of noticing it. Can't remember the name, but a local photog gets incredible shots with like 3-4 speedlites set up around the feeder.
I just leave the speedlight set to hi speed synch all the time. Don't always need the higher shutterspeed, but I have not noticed any loss in flash performance when shooting at 80 or 125, or whatever, with the speed synch on.
If you are going to be mingling, walking and shooting candids, take a long lens. I have had some great results at reunions with my 70-200 2.8. Candid, small group shots can be quickly staged. But, you can also get really interesting shots by being twenty feet away, zooming in on an animated conversation and getting the shot before they realize it.
Ring flashes are great for portrait work. The ones designed for macro work are less effective, unless you are shooting very close to your subject (a couple of feet.) They just aren't designed to be powerful. I often use a RayFlash ring attachment. Its a diffuser that encircles the lens and slips over the speedlite. Once you get the hang of adjusting the flash output, it is very effective. Produces a very flattering, almost shadowless type of lighting. Yes, it also creates a very interesting catch light in the eyes.
My roommate flipped a little when he saw one of my "fancy lenses" in the kitchen sink. He could not believe you washed lenses...I could not stop laughing.
Nothing like a fantasy history re-write !!!
Canon, Coke, Ford, and Commando. And Cannon does make great towels, while cannons have wrought great destruction on humanity.
The correct answer is Canon, Coke, Ford , and Commando.
The 70-200 2.8L is one of the finest all round lenses you can get. Mine is old school, I think I got it 18 years ago for my EOS Elan (remember that one) and it was my first L series piece of glass. I have upgraded the body many times since then, and I suffer from GAS, have several more L lenses today. I still love my old 70-200. But, since I suffer from GAS, I am thinking of getting a current version w/ IS. Go for it!
Even if this is your first professional effort, $25 per hour is a really, really, really low budget rate...even if you don't plan to do any editing. The comment about taking loss leader jobs to build portfolio is very, very valid. But, if this potential client is trying to bid you down from the de minimus rate you have quoted ... they are going to be a big pain in the ass. RUN AWAY!