llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

I have been honored with photographing an awards ceremony for United States military veterans this coming Saturday. My daughter is the state chairman of the United States of America Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Committee of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She will present official certificates from the Department of Defense to all the veterans at a chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Southwestern Ohio. I am to photograph each individual presentation and take a few group shots. I have a few questions for you because I am basically a nature photographer - waterfowl, flowers, lakes and streams.
I shall use my Nikon P900 with its built-in flash. My lighting outfit and backdrop is not welcomed. I will be situated indoors, ten to 20 feet in front of the presentations. I have a very sturdy Benro tripod. I am limited; I know this and will make due with a camera that's better suited to photograph a Pileated Woodpecker at 200 yards than these heroes. If those of you who know how to do this could make some recommendations it would be greatly appreciated. The P900 does have various flash settings but I really haven't used them.
Thanks in advance,
Lee

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I'm not much of a portrait shooter, so can't help on technique but make sure you have at least one extra battery. Good on you for taking the time to do this. Hope you and everyone else has a great time. :thumbup: :thumbup:

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

As a nature photographer, I understand your predicament; personally, I would hasten down to your nearest rental store, and get an outfit suitable for the occasion. ~The store will help you there, and then hotfoot out and practice, practise and more practice until it is second nature- you have time
remember- its' your shots, people will either remember you as 'Brilliant' or
Crap !

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks. I do have two spares and all three batteries are in great condition.

~Lee

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

Could you not mount a speedlite to your camera and fit a small softbox to the speedlight.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks, but I'm retired and my days of throwing money at problems are over. But I shall be practicing in my garage where the light and distances are similar.

~Lee

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Get to the venue early, find a willing volunteer and try to fire off a few practice shots to determine the best settings.

You can do this. It'll be easier than stalking the Pileated Woodpecker at 200 yards.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks krl48, good advice.

~Lee

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

I don't want to sound negative, but nobody will like what you turn out with that camera. Even if your flash could reach 20 feet on axis lighting on people is horrible lighting. Hire a professional, or rent a camera. This shoot exceeds your camera's capabilities.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Llamb, the only part of this post that I agree with is renting a camera; the rest sounds negative. Unfortunately, I doubt that you have the time to learn how to use a rented camera as well as you know your own. Besides, you've already made it clear you are on a limited budget.

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

Good luck! If it works anything like the P510 than it is harder to get non-grainy indoor images. I always liked the fill-flash setting better than the other flash settings that were offered. Try practicing with indoor party (if it is still offered in your settings menu) and also museum setting. Both settings allow in more light and with the use of a tripod may give you something decent. You may want to dig through your set-up menu to see if there are any slider bars you can boost up to allow for less light and more sharpening. If you have time to practice and experiment, you will be able to find just the right combo to get decent, if not great, pictures.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

The P-900 does not have a hot shoe.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

You don't agree that this shoot exceeds the OP's camera capabilities?
Why does the truth sound negative to you?

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

I practiced in my garage and kept my distance to ten feet - everything came out fine. It would be better with my lighting kit, but because of the ages of the recipients they do not want any cords or tripods near them, which I fully understand. I am looking forward to doing this and feel honored at being able to attend and assist.

Thanks, everyone. I am on the right track and be sure to thank the veterans in your area/country for keeping you and the world safe.

~Lee

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Lee,

I'm not sure what you have for equipment but you could use a couple of flash units on light stands in the Slave mode, run a couple of test shots to see which power you need based on where you can place the lights/stands and touch them off using your popup flash. If you don't have light stands you can get some fairly good work lights/stands at Harbor Freight for a very reasonable price. Then replace the work light with the flash unit. Then you wouldn't have any cords laying around and if you place the "recipients" in the same spot your slave system might work for you after making several test shots to adjust the flash units. Take care & ...