bar mitzvah photoshoot with 7d and 580 EX: Hi, I'm new to this forum and already learned a few things just by browsing the posts. I have a question for an upcoming photoshoot this...

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bar mitzvah photoshoot with 7d and 580 EX

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Mar 1, 2012 11:59:10 #

artsyfan Loc: Thousand Oaks

Hi, I'm new to this forum and already learned a few things just by browsing the posts.
I have a question for an upcoming photoshoot this Saturday. I am just a casual photographer and will shoot the bat/bar mitzvah for a friend of a friend. I'm a bit nervoes since I don't know the people and the room, only shot a bar mitzvah once before.

I have the Canon 7D and I have the 580EX flash that I want to use since the event is indoors. Any tips on how to set the flash and the camera to get best results? I have not yet used the 580EX successfully and would love to give it another try, but I cannot risk loosing good moments either.

I am attaching 2 pictures from last year's photoshoot of my friend's sons' bar mitzvah. I brought the 580EX, but after 5 pictures it didn't work anymore so all picutres were taken with the regular flash, some were too bright, some too dark. It took a while for the flash to be ready between shots and that made me nervoes...

I will be greatful for any input,
Barbara.

very important moment...and so quick

this picture is too dark

Mar 2, 2012 06:31:29 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

artsyfan wrote:

Hi, I'm new to this forum and already learned a fe... (show quote)

Wow! First post! Let me welcome you to this forum. You can learn quite a bit here.

The only advice I can give you about your up-coming shoot: bounce flash. I am sure you will be deluged with excellent recommendations before the day is over.

Mar 2, 2012 07:03:16 #

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

I recently shot a bar mitzvah myself; I would definitely stay with the 580 EX as opposed to the built-in flash, but "play" with it inside your house until you feel comfortable with it. I would also recommend a flash bracket that will allow the flash to be pivoted so that it is always at the "top" of your camera (both horizontal and vertical. And yes, either bounce the flash (if the ceilings aren't too high) or purchase a flash diffuser (< $20.00 for a Sto-Fen). AND most important of all....take at least 8 or 12 extra batteries, better to have and not need than to not have at all. Good luck.

Mar 2, 2012 09:45:20 #

photoshopmikey Loc: Boston Ma.

This video helped my brother a lot with his indoor flash shots.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Canon-Speedlite-580EX-430EX/dp/B000CQM2LM

Mar 2, 2012 11:06:52 #

FOTOSTAN Loc: Ca..NYC..Fla.

Here we go again... another amature photographer shooting a important event. I suggest he only become the BACKUP PHOTOGRAPHER, and not the main shooter. Not knowing what important shots to take will only make for bad relationships since the event will be lost forever. This shoot is like a religous wedding and should be treated as such. This is not party with general table shots..

Mar 2, 2012 11:08:47 #

artsyfan Loc: Thousand Oaks

Thank you for the great responses, I watched a video on the 580 EX, it is a bit complicated to me. Good idea to practice in the house first and also to use bounce-flash.
Do you know the settings on the 580 for this indoor event? It will be ETTL, but then there's the Mode, zoom and the flashH symbol.

Oh, and I will buy extra batteries today!! Thank you!

Mar 2, 2012 13:11:19 #

Tyk8ez605 Loc: Los Angeles

Fotostan, I agree with you 100%. Artysfan, you have to learn flash photography, 580EX functions & settings, your 7D with the 580EX with emphasis on focal length of your lens, camera distance to the subject, the correct aperture, strobe's power, ETTL and manual settings both on 7D and 580Ex. Just my 2 cents. One mistake means lost memory. Bar
Mitzvah, weddings, etc are precious moments thus, there is NO do over.

Mar 2, 2012 14:13:31 #

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

artsyfan wrote:

Hi, I'm new to this forum and already learned a fe... (show quote)

Look at Gary Fong's website, where he markets diffusers for different kinds of strobes. Also, it's important to get the settings on your flash and camera to be coordinated and correct. TTL (thru the lens) if available is definitely the way to go.

Fong's website gives a good explanatiion why it's important to use a diffuser for the kind of thing you're doing..

Mar 3, 2012 00:19:57 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Not the place for on the job training. Especially if you are shooting the family portraits. For me, the hardest thing to shoot is portraits and I respect people who do it well.

The bar mitzvah service and the party afterwards are two different events. If you are thinking of shooting the service, ask the rabbi before taking your camera out. You would not want the rabbi to stop the service to inform you that pictures are not allowed.

Good luck. Taking the pictures will be the easiest part of the entire occasion.

Mar 3, 2012 01:21:46 #

barbkelly Loc: Delaware

I have a DVD that might help. If you pm me your address I will send it to you.

Sorry, I just noticed that your event is coming up quickly.

Mar 3, 2012 01:23:24 #

barbkelly Loc: Delaware

Oh, one other thing. Get good rechargeable batteries,like eneloop. Your flash will recharge much faster and last for quite awhile. Get 8 of them so you will have 4 spares during your event.

Mar 3, 2012 01:25:42 #

barbkelly Loc: Delaware

photoshopmikey wrote:

This video helped my brother a lot with his indoor flash shots.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Canon-Speedlite-580EX-430EX/dp/B000CQM2LM

This is the DVD that I have and am offering to you.

Mar 3, 2012 10:26:36 #

FOTOSTAN Loc: Ca..NYC..Fla.

abc1234 wrote:

Not the place for on the job training. Especially... (show quote)

Great answer... to a problem where people with a camara think they can shoot such an event. I cant tell you how many times I've seen relationships break up.. all due to "snap-shot" type of photography, by well meaning amature photographers.

Mar 3, 2012 10:44:54 #

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=artsyfan Hi, I'm new to this forum and alre... (show quote)

I may be too late but .... +1

Mar 5, 2012 14:40:57 #

artsyfan Loc: Thousand Oaks

Thank you for all the helpful and very valuable tips. I followed them all and had a fantastic experience.
And even though some members are not exactly encouraging, I just focused on the nicer comments, thank you.
I am a photographer, just do not have any degree in photography which is why I call my myself casual photographer. I was just a bit nervoes because I usually photograph outdoors. It was fun though and I got lots of beautiful images, even from the service itself. Now on to the editing part.
Thanks again, Barbara.

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