A friend recently asked me to go along to vintage markets where she has a stall to take photos for her. I will also be wondering around taking photos where ever I can there. This will be indoors. In a community hall.
I have explained that I'm still learning! It is just for some experience.
I have a canon eos 1100d, 18-55mm Lens and a 75-300mm telephoto lens.
What gear would I need for this little adventure?
What settings would be best to use in this situation?
Any other tips/advice would be much appreciated.
@magentarose since its indoors, you will need only the 18-55mm.
You don't have enough space for telephoto shots.
If the place is very small and crowded with things, it will be dark to photograph. In that case i would suggest you bring a external flash if you can buy one or borrow from someone. (if you can, buy one 580 EX II - but those are freakin expensive - and worth it).
In this series of photos i used a 580 EX II flash.
From 5th march to 13th march.
(light blasted front, to fill in the first plane)
(this one i bounced the light to the left - see the difference? it's worth it)
If you can't a cheap solution is to use the pop-up flash for emergencies - you can hold a piece of white paper in front of it to direct the light to the ceiling or to the side. I have done that sometimes.
If the place is too big to bounce light from a flash, a lightweight tripod will be better. Hell, you can buy a zipshot tripod as i did. They are cheap ($100) and freaking lightweight (300g) and easy to set and use).
http://365project.org/blog/gear-review-zipshot-tripod
If a tripod would be too cumbersome there, then bump up your ISO and support your camera over some surface you find, so the camera shake less. (this is a cost zero solution!)
Anyway, i would suggest you to buy a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. Those are cheap (less than $100). The only issue is the cropped sensor, you seem to need the 18mm in those situations, but you will now the difference of light once you set it to f1.8 and compare to the f3.5 of the kit lens. Indoors the 50mm f1.8 is AWESOME (insert some angels chorus here as well).
I am sure you already have everything you need... ;-)
When taking these types of photos, remove the clutter and get in close... I you have too much in the image it looks messy and it is hard to find a reason for the photo.
Looked through your album. Oviously an artist taking photos. When you try to be a photographer, your photos could be better, but when you take the shots as an artist, they are wonderful and artistic. So my only advice is use your instincts! Don't take photos of what you see, but what you want to create.
I have some photos from a festival in my other folder too... but that was outdoors so it was easier than this will be. Still learning and experimenting.
This is your photographer side... exposure is right for the bird and the tree. The bird's right eye is in focus. The color temperature is perfectly adjusted. Ordinarily nice.
And this fork of yours... twisted art
And the position of your hair and eyes... add in the typewriter fonts... intense or what?
Go for the 18-55 lens or even a compact, you don't want to stand out too much. Get some close ups and wider context shots for variety. Might be worth mentioning to the organisers that you are photograpjing your friends stall.
@viranod Reading your first post on the computer. Now I understand what you wrote.
Of course, they could be better! I already know that my shots aren't great. I only started a few months ago. I did say I was still learning. I never said I was any good lol.
My friend had been following my project and approached me to do this. I feel like I can't say no because she seems keen and well every experience counts when it comes to learning. I am not going to charge her because I am in no way calling myself professional.
Anyway, that is why I made this thread. To ask what I would need to expect in this situation as I have no experience. Like what settings I should study up on before I go. I didn't expect to do this kinda thing this soon into my project.
Thanks for your critique though. I would appreciate more advice on how I could improve if you have any. Perhaps comments on the photos?
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
You don't have enough space for telephoto shots.
If the place is very small and crowded with things, it will be dark to photograph. In that case i would suggest you bring a external flash if you can buy one or borrow from someone. (if you can, buy one 580 EX II - but those are freakin expensive - and worth it).
In this series of photos i used a 580 EX II flash.
From 5th march to 13th march.
(light blasted front, to fill in the first plane)
(this one i bounced the light to the left - see the difference? it's worth it)
If you can't a cheap solution is to use the pop-up flash for emergencies - you can hold a piece of white paper in front of it to direct the light to the ceiling or to the side. I have done that sometimes.
If the place is too big to bounce light from a flash, a lightweight tripod will be better. Hell, you can buy a zipshot tripod as i did. They are cheap ($100) and freaking lightweight (300g) and easy to set and use).
http://365project.org/blog/gear-review-zipshot-tripod
If a tripod would be too cumbersome there, then bump up your ISO and support your camera over some surface you find, so the camera shake less. (this is a cost zero solution!)
Anyway, i would suggest you to buy a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. Those are cheap (less than $100). The only issue is the cropped sensor, you seem to need the 18mm in those situations, but you will now the difference of light once you set it to f1.8 and compare to the f3.5 of the kit lens. Indoors the 50mm f1.8 is AWESOME (insert some angels chorus here as well).
When taking these types of photos, remove the clutter and get in close... I you have too much in the image it looks messy and it is hard to find a reason for the photo.
Here is an example I did for someone that had the same issue:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendanmaunder/5525428041/in/photostream
This a normal shot, but just by getting in close and having a subject you get a different view of the same pile of mess.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendanmaunder/5528115996/in/photostream
@viranod Is that a weakness or strength? :-P
I have some photos from a festival in my other folder too... but that was outdoors so it was easier than this will be. Still learning and experimenting.
This is your photographer side... exposure is right for the bird and the tree. The bird's right eye is in focus. The color temperature is perfectly adjusted. Ordinarily nice.
And this fork of yours... twisted art
And the position of your hair and eyes... add in the typewriter fonts... intense or what?
@godders Thanks. Good idea! I will contact the organisers. :-)
Of course, they could be better! I already know that my shots aren't great. I only started a few months ago. I did say I was still learning. I never said I was any good lol.
My friend had been following my project and approached me to do this. I feel like I can't say no because she seems keen and well every experience counts when it comes to learning. I am not going to charge her because I am in no way calling myself professional.
Anyway, that is why I made this thread. To ask what I would need to expect in this situation as I have no experience. Like what settings I should study up on before I go. I didn't expect to do this kinda thing this soon into my project.
Thanks for your critique though. I would appreciate more advice on how I could improve if you have any. Perhaps comments on the photos?