whitewitch Loc: Buffalo NY

In my neighborhood we will be having our annual Italian Festival. I will be shooting at night. There will be the usual rides and food. I tried to shoot some pictures last year and they turned out awful because I wasn't sure what setting or exposure I should have my camera set to. I know people will say to use a tripod and I agree but I don't want to lug it around the festival. It's very crowded. I don't know if there is any successful way to shoot at night without a tripod. Any tips or advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. If it matters, I have a Fuji Finepix s9000.
Thanks again! - Whitewitch

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Shoot in RAW because you will be able to drag more image detail from the shadows than you will with jpg. On these occasions I use a monopod (using a tripod in a crowd is a non-starter unless you have half a dozen bodyguards with you). 400 ASA 1/60 f/2.8 is where I would start shooting into the crowd wihout a flash. f/3.5 if there is some kind of lighting around.
I have a Fuji HS20 which gets very noisy at ISO 400 and is useless at ISO 800 because of the noise. Hopefully your Fuji is better than mine in the dark.

I have attended quite a few "fairground" type events with the HS20, and if I shoot 500 pics, I'm lucky to get a couple of dozen good ones. My best shots have worked out on the Auto setting with exposure compensation up by 2 full stops, but the meter can and does get confused.

I got my wife to wander around the garden at night while I clicked away using different settings. Some worked out, some did not.

Good luck

Jim

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

Watch your ISO and use a Monopod if possible.

renomike Loc: Reno, Nevada

Whitewitch... Use a monopod, if you don't have one Walmart sells one for $15.00, not the greatest, but would work great for the night. If you like using one you can always get a much better one...;0)

Mike

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

If you don't want to use a monopod, then use telephone poles etc. to help keep a still camera. Be sure to see if you need to turn off image stabilization with your lens when shooting with the camera supported on something solid. Some lenses require this and other don't.

In place of a monopod, I would suggest getting a strong piece of non stretching string or nylon line. Make two loops, one to go around your lens and the other to go around your foot/shoe. When you want to take a shot loop the string around you lens as close to the camera body as possible and the other loop around your foot. Now pull up on the camera to make the line tight and then take your shot.

This works almost as well as a monopod but takes up no space in comparison. Just be sure to test for proper length prior to going out shooting. This also works well for shooting video to keep things as smooth and still as possible when no tripod is available. Use as high an ISO as your camera is capable of while still being able to get an acceptable image. My D7000 allows me to use 2,500 and still get a reasonable image, regarding low noise.

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

I use a light chain that I attach to my tripod socket on the bottom of my camera.I loop it around my foot and pull up.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Another variation on this theme is to attach a strap to your belt just long enough to bring the camera to eye level. You might even be able to get an aftermarket plate with a tripod socket screw that can be fitted to the end of the strap.

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

You can raise your ISO setting up to the point you have a shutter speed that allows you to hand hold or stead the camera against a pole. You also need to look at your white balance setting so that it is balanced for the light you are shooting under.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Photogdog wrote:

"Another variation on this theme is to attach a strap to your belt just long enough to bring the camera to eye level. You might even be able to get an aftermarket plate with a tripod socket screw that can be fitted to the end of the strap."
_______________________

The problem with that is the fact that you will still have movement from your body. However, when you use a line that you stand on at the ground, there will be no upward movement at all. That can not be said for the belt connection idea because what ever your body is doing, movement wise, this will be transferred into the camera movement too. And you cannot hold your body as still as if you were tethered to the ground. Therefore the belt idea is best forgotten and since you are using a line anyway, why not simply extend it to the ground. There is no benefit to taking it just to your belt.

rebride

Bought cheap monopod at Radio Shack ($12.00) as a temporary replacement. That was three years ago and it is still going strong.

endjr Loc: Maryland

Look for objects to place your camera on for those long exposures, like and trash can, table top, fence rail, car fender, etc. Use the self timer to trigger the shutter instead of your finger.

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

get a self standing monopod .you stand on one of the feet to steady the monopod.I can shoot at 1/15 of a second this way

twowindsbear

Shoot in the late afternoon / early evening while there is still a bit of sunshine. When it gets DARK - enjoy the festivities.

whitewitch Loc: Buffalo NY

Thank you so much for all of your advice, Jim. I really do appreciate it. I would be happy if I got even a few decent photos out of it. My Fuji does well in low light conditions, that's why I bought it. The festival is pretty lit up by the rides, concession stands and street lights. Lighting wasn't the problem. There was a lot of blurriness I'm sure due to the wrong settings. Thanks again!
:-P

whitewitch Loc: Buffalo NY

Thank you, photo guy, I will :-D