clicktime Loc: Yucca Valley Ca.

Welcome to the Hog.I'm not going to comment on the other comments. Here is what I think you need to do. As well as some of the other advisors on this thread.
Books by Brian Peters.
1. Understanding Flash Photography
2. Understanding Exposure
3. Understanding Shutter speed
If you read these books your problem will in the past.

ggttc Loc: TN

I agree...not a pro wedding photographer but been asked to take my camera more than a few times...no one has ever been offended by a flash...people at a wedding know that pics will be taken...in fact I have often had people come up to me and ask to have their picture taken

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I agree. Sometimes you just have to do it. (flash) This was at the reception and should not have upset anyone with a flash. I would have put a deffuser on to soften the light a little. sounds like gettin white balance in that room would be a headach seems like it would change from place to place and doing PP on a bunch of snapshot pics would be lots of work. Sometimes you just can't do it with avalable light. - Dave

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

It may not be possible to do what you were trying under the lighting that was available. If....IF....you can get away with it try to see if you can turn some extra lights on without offending the party...start with your lens at its widest that would be f 2.8 in your case. Then see what speed you can acquire a decent exposure at.
Another way to cheat the situation if you can...shoot RAW and under expose a stop...then regain the stop in post processing...You most likely aren't ready for that stuff yet.
You could try finding places to "rest" your camera on while making the exposures...you can get real creative in this area and be amazed at the results...people standing around drinking are not really moving all that much. Rest your camera on the top of a glass, or on the back of a chair, etc., etc. and go ahead and use a slow shutter speed with your lens at wide open...you'll be surprised at the results...

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

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Wahawk Loc: NE IA

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Wahawk Loc: NE IA

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Robert the Bruce

Your right on . Aim new also . Seek an you will find.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

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Wahawk Loc: NE IA

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DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Hi Sawdust3. I have found that people usually aren't upset when you shoot with flash at weddings because they are expecting that photographers will be shooting all around them. My experience with lighting in some venues is much as you describe - all over the place. Having an on or off camera flash covered with a good diffuser usually gets me perfectly acceptable shots but you do have to be reasonably close to the subjects. Venues frequently have very high ceilings so bouncing off them doesn't work. At one particularly bad venue, I had my sister follow me around with a second flash on a monopod which was triggered by the flash on my camera. Worked like a charm. If you really aren't sure of exposure settings, today's DSLRs have an Auto setting that produces good results. My Rebels (T1i and T3i) work well on Auto. I know seasoned photographers rarely own up to using the Auto setting but it will give you better results than shooting at exposure settings you're not sure of. Good luck on your next event.

deskjet1uk Loc: Yorkshire UK

Hi Sawdust,
In my experience using the self same camera a couple of years back, I purchased an EF 50mm f/1.8 lens – it’s lightweight and low-light capable. It allowed me to shoot casual street photography at night.

The greatest use I’ve found for this is night time street shooting. It works! The 1000D maxes out at ISO 1600, which reflects its level status. Shooting between f/18 and f/4, and between 1/60s and 1/15s,
If you are able to purchase one of these lenses (approx $100) it will be money worth spent and you will be able to use this lens when you next upgrade.
Happy shooting and happy new year and keep experimenting with your settings etc.

Straightshooter Loc: Edmonton AB

I won't accuse anyone of being insensitive, but I think a more sympathetic approach for beginners would be more appropriate.

Hope this helps.[/quote]
I totally agree, there are no stupid questions as some people state . If someone has a question he or she just wants to know the answer
And the ones that think it is a stupid question, just don’t reply

Sarah in PA Loc: Breinigsville, PA

I don't have any more camera advice to add here, but I can commiserate with you. My parents-in-law hold all important family functions (holiday parties, anniversaries, etc) in a restaurant party room that has horrible lighting, dark burgundy linens on the tables covered with reflective plastic (ouch!) and dark burgundy drapes. And what's more, they hold them from mid-afternoon through early evening, which means I have to deal with changing light from west windows!

I'm by no means an advanced photographer, but since I have a nice camera, a Canon T1i and a speedlight, they've made me the official photographer. At the holiday party last month, I used my 18 - 55mm kit lens (it's the widest I have and they want group shots as well as candids), speedlight in the hot shoe, f/5.6, ISO 400 and a shutter of 1/80 - 1/60. The shots I got were not all as well lit as I would have liked, but at least they weren't blurry and/or grainy. I'm always trying to improve, and my goal for this year is to get my flash off the camera.

Just keep learning, experimenting, growing, and taking lots of photos!

sawdust3 Loc: Moline, Il 61265

Thanks to all. Will do as suggested and too bad somebody lost a camera sale. Thanks Dennis