Suggestion on Event Photography

[NewSuw]

i use Auto Area during the Event.
and use the manual focus if the camera can't focus on the object i want.
kind of tricky....
and because i use such a Sallow DOF at F/2.8
i got few out of focus picture.
this time i am using my kit lens so the DOF won't be that much of a problem
it will be from f/3.5-5.6

 

[NewSuw]

I use either the 17-55 on my D300 or 24-70 on D700, it gives superb reason, see some of my events shots like recent Baptism and Seminar functions.

Yes i have been thinking to get a new lens just for event.
and am stuck between the range 17-50 or the 28-70 from 3rd party lens
don't have the capital to get the Nikon lens....
the price tag is getting way to high for me now.
and i can't keep on renting lens.
cause i shoot for this event for free....

My current range of lens
50mm F/1.4
Tokina 12-24mm F/4
Nikon 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6 (will use this during the next event)

 

[Gerries]

Your problem could be the the Auto Area AF, use Dynamic 9 or more point, if your subject moves out of AF point, it will predict the closest AF around the area, try it.

 

[Gerries]

Ya, these days, lens cost more than body, crazy!!!

 

[ahbian]

Yes i am allowed to move around the area but not go up the stage.
cause it will be distracting to the speaker and audience.
there will be no rehearsal.
but i know how is the venue and what kind of lightning to expect.
so it won't be a problem.
thx for the suggestion so far guys.

today went to the event area and try to shot with my 18-105mm
manage to get speed of 1/80 F/5.6 and Auto ISO set to 3200.
i am using manual Mode.
the image quality is not that good but it's perfectly exposed.

try to gain the experience for now.
hope to get better by 28th.... got a Magic show to take hahaha....
amateur trying that got the opportunity to learn and experience.
and to learn from all of you fellow friends.
it's been great.
Thanks....

I didn't see if you mentioned being paid, but you said you have rented lens for the first shoot. If you are paid, or reimbursed for any costs, consider renting another camera body (in addition to the one you have), then you have less need to swap lenses.
Might be a bit hardcore if you are starting out, but depends on what you and the organiser expects.

 

[calebk]

I do believe you will be worse off using the kit lens now, instead of the 70-200. Consider this: at f/2.8 you are already finding it challenging to stop motion (i.e get a fast enough shutter speed). Now, you are not even using a f/2.8 lens.

 

[NewSuw]

Ok my last event i use Apeture mode
and F/2.8 with Fixed ISO around 800-1000
the shutter speed was ranged around 40-80 set by the camera.
i think that the reason i don't stop the motion in some of my picture.

This time i will use Auto ISO and used a Fixed Shutter Speed of 80
this should make me able to freeze motion most of the time.

I rented the Lens at my first shoot using my pocket money.
reason is: want to try that godly lens ;p and 2nd want to try the Nikon Battery Grip cause planning to get one if it's feels good.

well... i don't really have any contract with the organizer.
i was asked by friend to take and i just agree to it...:sweat:
and now they ask me to take for another competition
so... i just want to take this a learning experience and not going to dig my own pocket money again hahaha.... :bsmilie:
I am trying to believe "It's not the camera that's make the good picture, but it's the person behind the camera"

 

[ahbian]

Caleb is right, if you are already struggling to freeze motion with f2.8, I can't imagine how you would succeed with slower lenses.

As for the "man behind the camera.." statement, if its really true, then i don't think why this thread is started. There is only so much you can do to freeze motion, you have to recognise that some are beyond what your existing gear can do.

 

[calebk]

...
I am trying to believe "It's not the camera that's make the good picture, but it's the person behind the camera"

Then pardon me for being blunt, for the man behind the camera does not know what he is doing.

 

[Reportage]

Hi all... i want to ask for suggestion on event photography.
Recently i went for an speech competition contest as the photographer.
During the event i got no major problem.
what i want to ask is regarding the picture i took.
after checking on the image i realize that most of my picture are blur....
especially because the object move around and i can't get enough shutter speed.
even though i got the correct exposure and angle but my picture are blurred because of the object moving. The solution to this problem would probably use higher Shutter speed but it will make my picture Underexpose.
here are my question:
will it be better if i increase the Shutter Speed and get an Underexpose picture and use Photoshop to increase the brightness OR Pump my ISO to 3200 or more to get the desired Shutter Speed which is sometimes will still makes the picture underexpose under certain angle.
Which solution would fellow member Suggest??

Extra Info:
I use D90 + 70-200mm F/2.8(Rented) for this event....
i got next event coming and i will be using D90 + 18-105 f/3.5-5,6.

It all depends on where the picture will end up. If just a small image on a magazine/newspaper as long can see the face clear can already. If going to be enlarged then shoot Raw.

 

[karnage]

If you already know roughly what kind of shots you're taking, e.g. just 2 people shaking hands, then you don't need to keep moving around mah. In that case, you might wanna invest in a long prime if you're gonna be taking more events. It's the person behind the camera that makes good pictures, only if the person knows the camera's limitations and how to work around it. In this case, it's not enough light for faster shutter speeds, so you'll need faster glass, and/or higher ISO. I think 3200 on D90 is quite usable right?

Also, at longer focal lengths, you might introduce blur by camera shake, so you might have to attach a tripod/monopod to stabilize abit.

Sorry if I'm not touching the point. I can only imagine the scenario... =P

 

[zac08]

Ya, these days, lens cost more than body, crazy!!!

It has always BEEN the case, FYI.

 

[catchlights]

Ya, these days, lens cost more than body, crazy!!!

AFAIK, all alone is has been this way, long long time ago, when Nikon came out the first (or second f2.8 zoom, can't really remember liao) it already cost more than most Nikon bodies.

maybe nowadays you eying more on pro lenses.