Try it out or stay home?

[goldberg1138]

<p>I was out today doing some street photography and working on my 100 Strangers Project. (I've had a great time with these, btw.) I met this guy in a punk band who was trying to get me to come take pictures of their show, which is tomorrow. He says that the band doesn't have any god pictures, which they obviously need. Musicians and photo images have always gone hand-in-hand. The problem is I feel a little overwhelmed with such a project and don't feel totally confident with the equipment I own. I have a Canon Rebel Xti, Canon 50mm f/1.8, the kit lens that came with the camera, and a Minolta Auto 360px flash. I can't use the flash on TTL mode, because it is rather old and isn't compatible with the camera. The 50mm lens has been great for portraits, but it really isn't wide enough to take pictures of groups of people indoors. The kit lens takes pictures that are not as sharp as I would like, which is why I got the 50mm, but it gets nice and wide. However, it is a very slow lens. <br>

The show will be indoors, so there won't be much light. I can use the flash with a diffuser, bounce it off the ceiling, or whatever I need to do - take a couple test shots then adjust as needed.<br>

I'm a beginner, as you can probably tell. I love live music and punk shows are wicked fun! What do you think? I've never photographed professionally, and never had anyone ask me to photograph an event for them. Would you try out the new experience? Wait until you could afford better gear then hope opportunities come then? Anyone have any input, stories about their first nerve-racking photo experience?</p>

[MathewDH]

<p>David,</p>

<p> It might be an IN to an exciting area of photography. First off, promise nothing to them in case it does not work out. Show up early so you can scout out the area and the lighting qualities during the performance. There is nothing slow about an F1.8 lens. Use both as the kit lens does go to wide angle. Higher ISO settings may allow good photos without the need for a flash. Do some test shots at home in dark settings to find out what works, then use the same procedure at the event.</p>

<p> Check out other event shooting displayed on the internet to get some ideas. Think tight portaits during the performance. See if you have access to the band before and after the performance. Look for candid shots showing everything. And bring lots of memory cards and batteries.</p>

<p> If you are their first photographer, ANYTHING you take is better than nothing. Punk is about attitude, so even a photo you think poor might be considered perfect in their environment.</p>

<p> Consider earplugs so you can concentrate on the shooting, and still have your hearing in the morning too.</p>

<p>CHEERS...Mathew</p>

[goldberg1138]

<p>Maybe I wrote it in a strange way - the f/1.8 lens is nice and fast. I can take pictures in very low light with no flash. The f/3.5-5.6 of the kit lens is really what I meant to say was the slow one. I guess what I meant to say is that the only one who ever really judged any of my results was myself. If I go out one day and every picture I take looks crappy, no one else has to see it. I enjoy antics at live shows, so that's not the part I'm worried about. There's another pub where I see live music pretty often. I just show up with a camera and shoot. I never use a flash because the shows are mostly in the afternoon, and personally think it's a little rude to just zap people with a bright light. This time they asked me, so they'll want to see something at the end of it all.</p>

[goldberg1138]

<p>Maybe I wrote it in a strange way - the f/1.8 lens is nice and fast. I can take pictures in very low light with no flash. The f/3.5-5.6 of the kit lens is really what I meant to say was the slow one. I guess what I meant to say is that the only one who ever really judged any of my results was myself. If I go out one day and every picture I take looks crappy, no one else has to see it. I enjoy antics at live shows, so that's not the part I'm worried about. There's another pub where I see live music pretty often. I just show up with a camera and shoot. I never use a flash because the shows are mostly in the afternoon, and personally think it's a little rude to just zap people with a bright light. This time they asked me, so they'll want to see something at the end of it all.</p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>f1.8, higher ISO like 800 minimum or more.. make sure you get your credit on every image you *give* them or slae them.. it as to serve you as a business promo thing.. so people around need to know who took the picture of them if they put it online.</p>

<p>you got a fine camera for the job.. now you need to practice and learn what work and not as far as images, angle and show light.</p>

[jaydesi]

<p>Since they want you to take the pictures, and you're not doing it merely as an observer in the audience, you have some access that you wouldn't get otherwise. See if you can get some shots from the stage, too (without getting in the way). You should be able to stay close to the stage for audience shots, and from that distance, the stage lighting should really help a lot.</p>

<p>If you're *really* lucky, they'll make an announcement before the show that you're there taking promo pics for them, and to give you room as needed for your shots.</p>

[cyanatic]

<p>David -- If it were me, I would not hesitate to do it. I am far from an expert, but I have done a number of indoor events over the last 3 years. I learn something new every time I do it. I use a 43mm f1.9 when I can get close enough, and a very cheap, and soft 80-320mm f4.5-5.6 from further away. Using the latter often forces me to ISO 1600 (max for the K10D). I don't use flash. </p>

<p>Try to think of noise as an opportunity, not something to fear, particularly if you convert some photos to B&W. A punk band might very well like the retro grittiness you can get that way. I would also shoot in RAW (not sure how many fps the Xti gets in RAW) as it gives you more headroom to work with in post processing. If the lighting does not change, you might want to take some test shots for speed and aperture and go to manual at the fastest shutter speed you can get away with to keep blurred shots to a minimum.<br>

<br>

In short I would say 2 things: Work with what you've got. And fear not the noise (digital noise, that is...for auditory noise Mathew's earplug suggestion is a good one). Good luck, and be sure to share the results with us. </p>

[goldberg1138]

<p>I think I can only get around 3 fps in RAW with the xti. I've been to some shows where the venue or the bands had invested in light setups, and I've been to others that looked like middle school gymnasiums. I've never been to this particular bar before so I don't really know what it's like. I like the idea of leaving the camera in manual, or I could leave it in aperture priority mode, but set it to under-expose by a stop, then lighten up the pictures however I want in post processing - that's if the place is too dark to keep from holding it steady. I guess I should bring the flash, but something about using special lights outside of a studio seems wrong to me - maybe it's just something to get used to. At any rate, thanks for the encouragement!</p>