Snapshot52 Loc: Boca Raton

I’m using a nikon D5000 both with and without a flash. I’m doing a favor for an awards luncheon. With about 1500 people,
(there will be others also volunteering to take these photos)
There will want Group tablephotos and individual awards Photos, this will be indoors
My question is can anyone suggest the proper camera settings? I’m trying to become better at the craft, and would really like to get off the Auto mode, I will not have access to the venue until 15 minutes before the luncheon starts
Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Downie Loc: Rochester, NY

Don't do it! Or, stick with Auto if that is all your used to using. An event such as this is no time to try to learn your camera, especially in poor/challeging lighting conditions that you will undoubtedly encounter. Other than that, have fun!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

1500 people at a luncheon. That's a lot of people and food? I would suggest you determine first, what lenses you will be taking. One or two lenses, zoom and/or prime. And remember you are shooting with a crop sensor, so you will have the 1.5X factor. Shooting in Automatic will work, if you feel you aren't fully prepared. Good luck.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

The first thing to consider is your White balance and the type of lighting that is in the venue. Fluorescent, tungsten, halogen and so on. It goes without saying to shoot in RAW file. If it is presentations and groups then shutter speed should not be a problem, so opt for Aperture priority.
If you can access the venue before the ceremonies commence take a few test shots to give you some idea. Be careful of natural light from side windows or from above through skylights (which can create shadows)
Do not be tempted to rack up the ISO, keep it below 200, as for recommending actual camera settings, that would be difficult with seeing the venue. Try some test shots at f11-f16.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

ISO 200 and f11-16?... must be powerful indoor lighting or you would have a ton of flash at hand in your description.

Instead I would choose the manual mode, with auto ISO. Then start at f/4 or 5.6 and hope there is enough light to keep the ISO under 12500 without flash. keep the shutter speed no lower than 200th for walking or seated.

Flash... then ISO 400 and find the threshold in f stop to get it all in for the size of room, flash output and ambient light. Manual mode with your eye on shutter speed or shutter priority... nothing worse than getting home and you find the low shutter speed caused blur from people moving about.

If you are skilled then DOF effects are optional.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I have done this type of event with only half as many people. I find it helpful to visit the site a day or two ahead of the event to evaluate light and take a few practice shots. This will help with white balance and flash use. Lots of luck, you will enjoy it!

coyrahman Loc: Reidsville. NC

I do this type of work all the time (i.e.) Lions National Convention, NARFE Convention ...... and I use a D4 w/ Nikon wide angle 14-24mm , zero distortion. I do stick with auto 'cause I take about 5000-10000 photos. When you don't have the time to play with settings use auto and go. Also I use a 24-70mm ... with/without tripod and always have a flash handy. I use PS and end up with around 500 to 1000 photos .... Hope this helps....

desert-view

I also do large events. I use a Sony a6000 with Zeiss 16-70 lens and mostly a bounce flash (Flashpoint Zoom Li-On R2) with diffuser dome, auto ISO, RAW only.
I try to keep group pictures down to 3-4 people, medium color backgrounds. Bigger groups are difficult but doable. For long dais shots, I occasionally use a sony 18-200 f5.6 with direct zoom flash. I use shutter priority only at 1/80 or 1/100 letting the flash synch TTL handle the exposure time.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I agree with other posters. Use AUTO. This assignment is not the place to learn the other modes.

CO

Would you be able to bring a light stand and umbrella with you? A speedlight by itself is going to produce harsh light. I have a Kupo swivel umbrella bracket that I mount on a light stand. I fire my speedlight into a silver interior umbrella (a 33" and a 40"). I mount a PocketWizard Flex-TT5 to the speedlight and have a PocketWizard Mini-TT1 on the camera. Those units support TTL metering so you can use flash compensation to get the flash output just right.

If you get an umbrella, make sure you get one that has a pebbled silver interior. You gain about 1 f-stop with the silver interior as opposed to one with a white interior. The pebbled surface helps to disperse the light more evenly. Set the flash zoom head to its widest setting.

This will work well with a very small group of people or a single individual. For a large group of people, flash will just not produce even enough results from front to back. Even slow speed sync won't help with a large group of people.

Kupo swivel umbrella flash bracket - large clamping area prevents slippage.