Prize Presentation photos. Best settings?

Tech Overhaul · 30-07-2010 9:55am #1

I was down in the local football club taking photos of a few matches recently and I was asked this week to take photos of the prize presentation. I agreed without thinking too much about it.

But the thing is I'm trying lately to stop using the auto setting on my canon. I've been using AV a lot for portraits but this has been outside where lighting wasn't an issue. It's at night so the only lighting would be the function room lighting. I do have access to a flash gun but I'm not sure it will help much with a group shot. So my question is what's the best setting you use when taking indoor group shots.

Thanks.

mehfesto · 30-07-2010 10:56am

Manual Mode, I reckon.
You can underexpose then if the flash isn't powerful enough to light all the group in the room!

If you can, bounce the flash from the ceiling, it'll give a better spread of light and usually nicer, smoother lighting!

mikeanywhere · 30-07-2010 11:36am

Defo use the camera (& flash too) in manual as that will ensure that your images are consistent from start to finish.

Tech Overhaul · 30-07-2010 11:39am

Thanks, heading off now to mess around with manual mode.

Ricky91t · 30-07-2010 1:29pm

Yeah, I've noticed( on my camera ) that the flash will only expose perfectly when I set it up, If I use AV or TV I get terrible pictures...

I'd take a few test shots first, of the trophies and stuff to make sure everything is looking mostly right, make sure you're shooting in raw and take a few photos of each prize handing over. Maybe make some quick adjustments if needed.

Borderfox · 30-07-2010 1:38pm

If you use AV or TV then the camera assumes you are looking to use the flash as a fill light and to let the ambient light in also, most times is dark conditions this will result in a longer exposure time compared to shooting manual at 1/160th f5.6. When you shoot manual the camera assumes that the flash is the main light source.

AnCatDubh · 31-07-2010 11:24am

Not what you are asking but one other point to think about is - think about the background, that is if you have the opportunity to influence where the prize giving is taking place and frame your subjects within the background. It can really make well taken photographs look s****

Borderfox · 31-07-2010 8:30pm

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Not what you are asking but one other point to think about is - think about the background, that is if you have the opportunity to influence where the prize giving is taking place and frame your subjects within the background. It can really make well taken photographs look s****

Very true, I have done this so many times at weddings for guests taking pictures. A move of two or three feet will make a photograph much better looking.

Prize Presentation photos. Best settings?

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