Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

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This coming Sat at 6:30 PM Our group (12 of us) will be shooting a lighted parade for the first time for most all of us, myself particularly.

I know this will get a few tips - first off I will be using 2 Canon Rebels
After looking up info in my Camera field guides for each specific camera these look like the simplest way for me to get my feet wet.

T3i w: 100-300 set on Av, f5.6, iso 800, flash off + tripod
XTi w: 18-55 flash off forces Auto settings + tripod

After the parade is over I plan on shooting what outdoor decorations that I deem of quality on the 20 mi drive home.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Harvey

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That sounds tough, depending on how lighted it actually is. All I can think of is high ISO and large aperture. In a situation like that, a blurred image - people in the parade - could give a nice effect.

Also, Pan with the parade as it is passing you. It's bound to stop occasionally, so take shots then, too.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

There may be street lights that may or may not be your friend. Be ready to move.
Stand behind short people....
That's all I got for the moment.
Pat

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

When shooting lights at night especially with varying scenes, auto modes are NOT the way to go. Take a few test shots and find the settings that work best and go manual with those settings. You will get far more acceptable shots that way.

Picture it, you line up a shot of a float coming toward you but the trucks headlights are blazing right down your lens. You think, Oh great my shutter speed is at 1/500 then you see a wonderful shot of 2 bright orbs and nothing else. In manual the lights can't fool the exposure meter... Ok they can but more importantly they can't change any settings unless the operator freaks out that the needle is way over to the right and tries to compensate.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This is the internet site for the parade I we will be shooting- this historical town is a photo shoot any time you visit. They have several events a year that are very interesting.
http://www.suttercreek.org/sutter-creek-events-parade-of-lights.html

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

It all depends upon the amount and quality of the light you will have. Photography is ALL about light.

It looks like you will have a street full of holiday lighting - many bright highlights and many dark shadow areas. If I were doing the shoot, I would plan on using Raw, exposing for the highlights and planning to do a lot of shadow enhancement in post-processing. If possible, run some tests before the parade event begins.

I also wonder why you intend to use such a long focal length lens. That limits you right from the beginning, especially as to maximum available aperture.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Many good points in your reply - just what I was hoping I would get - I am sure the 100-300 would most likely be useless except at close to 100 - I would use RAW except I am not at all veresed in it - I find I manage well with CR4 & jpg. I will have plenty of time to do some practice shots before the event starts - again thanks for your post.