So, my Dad is at best quirky, and at worst totally eccentric.
He's recently back from a week's holiday, and after spending his nights in a pirate themed bar, he's decided he want's a pirate themed party. YARR.
This party is to be held in my Dad's dark, dimly lit Georgian house, and I'm wanting to shoot the event.
So, my question is - what settings am I best to shoot on? I've shot at night with mixed results. People will be moving, it will be dark, a tripod isn't really an option.
I've got a Canon 600D - the last time I saw someone use one of these to shoot an event, they used an external flash and flash diffuser. I've been looking at investing in one anyways - but is this something that would be recommended?
@amyamoeba No point in me doing them, given how dark my indoor shots come out. I'll be drinking shots, instead!
Oh. Crazy idea... When is this party? Maybe we could "all" have a party, or at least shoot something pirate themed, for your Dad? What do you think, @gphelps5? Care to include that either as an extra for Feb or in whatever month the party is thrown?
@doyouseewhatisee@Cheesebiscuit@amyamoeba
Our house is always pirate themed (by coincidence see todays photo!). Count me in for the party or at least pirate themed photos as long as i can still do some shots of rum!
If you up your ISO and end up with grainy images, there are some free software programs that you can download for noise reduction...some actually work fairly well
Hi Amy, what lens/lenses do you have access to? I'd be tempted to use something fast e.g. a 50mm f1.8 to get a reasonably low ISO value in Av mode. However, if you intended to anyway, it seems an ideal opportunity to invest in a flash and diffuser. That will give you the sharpest shots, and a much more lighting angle freedom than an on camera flash.
Alternatively, could you increase the lighting in some areas? e.g. lamps? so that you knew where you could get the best lighting without using a flash. I think most importantly, have a play before the event.
I'd probably just shoot in flash off mode also, Your pirate theme reminds me of my great nephew.He wanted to dress up like a pirate for halloween.Knowing how his mother is about guns.I had to ask in a pirate voice ARRSs you going to have have a pirate gun.The little guy says no,I says Then you be having a pirate sword?The little guy says no again.I says you be having a hook for ye hand or a pegleg to walk on maybe a patch on a eye.The little guy says no to all of these things.But the little is still happy I says what going to make you a pirate.With a big smile he say the hat.Hope you all have fun.
My husband also loves pirates and I have a couple of sites for you! One is the official site for International Talk Like a Pirate Day: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ Great fun there! Also, the site http://www.cafepress.com/+pirate+t-shirts sells GREAT pirate-themed t-shirts. They have fast delivery so depending on when the party is you might be able to order something for your Dad. Ones like "To err is human, to arr is pirate", or "Pi (yarr)R squared" for Nerd Pirate. Or "Pirate Dad - I be the Captain of this crew". So many good choices. Have fun! Good times, good times!
Do you have an external flash that you can pop onto your DSLR? I have the Canon 430EX II and it's amazing! (And it comes with a little diffuser attachment thingy) :D
@karenanne Fabulous idea. Expect blurry images after 9pm :P
@tomo87 No doubt your advice of practising in advance is a good idea. Reckon my neighbours might think I'm mad when I switch the lights off, dress as a pirate and take pictures of an inflatable parrot.
I don't have an external flash at the mo but it is something I'm looking at investing in and this may be my excuse to do so. Silly question, can I fit a diffuser to my built-in flash to try and take the harshness off?
Also, what's better - speedlite or flash ring? @pocketmouse
@amyamoeba I'm not sure, as I've never used a flash ring before! My Speedlite does work beautifully in nighttime party situations though. The only problem is that it eats through batteries like nothing else, so make sure you bring spares just in case (as the batteries get more drained, the flash takes longer and longer to recharge after each fire). It takes 4 x AA batteries.
Amy, a friend gave me one of these to try & its really good. I'd forgotten all about it. I really does take away a lot of the harshness of the awful built in flash. Worth a try perhaps?
@amyamoeba If you have one go with 50mm 1.8 or 1.4. Crank the ISO up, low f numbers (1.8 if you can) in Apature Priority mode. Flash will help but I personally am not a great fan of flash.
If you must use flash, look at those fan/peacock tail shaped things that uses velcro to attache to your flash. These will spread the light wider creating better lighting.
@amyamoeba Ahoy there, brilliant gear matey - hope you have a cracking time and don't have to walk the plant during nor swab the decks afterwards...! Enjoy... we'll look forward to seeing the shots and I'll raise a glass to you later. :)
@amyamoeba Consider my timbers well and truly shivered ;-)
I don't have a costume but I hope you don't mind if I join you?
Okay, so taken on auto mode which didn't get the focus on my hands properly, but who cares. This is the most fun I've had with my alcoholcamera in ages.
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Maybes I should just invite everyone then I can concentrate on the rum barrel and you lot can take the shots :P @Cheesebiscuit @doyouseewhatisee
Oh. Crazy idea... When is this party? Maybe we could "all" have a party, or at least shoot something pirate themed, for your Dad? What do you think, @gphelps5? Care to include that either as an extra for Feb or in whatever month the party is thrown?
It's the 23rd.
I would welcome all-fellow pirates :D
Our house is always pirate themed (by coincidence see todays photo!). Count me in for the party or at least pirate themed photos as long as i can still do some shots of rum!
Alternatively, could you increase the lighting in some areas? e.g. lamps? so that you knew where you could get the best lighting without using a flash. I think most importantly, have a play before the event.
@karenanne Fabulous idea. Expect blurry images after 9pm :P
@tomo87 No doubt your advice of practising in advance is a good idea. Reckon my neighbours might think I'm mad when I switch the lights off, dress as a pirate and take pictures of an inflatable parrot.
@wildernesswillie @aprilmilani @tryeveryday @chapjohn @pocketmouse Thanks for your advice lovely people.
I don't have an external flash at the mo but it is something I'm looking at investing in and this may be my excuse to do so. Silly question, can I fit a diffuser to my built-in flash to try and take the harshness off?
Also, what's better - speedlite or flash ring? @pocketmouse
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Lights-Tipper-Flash-Diffuser-D700-D7000-D90-D300-7D-5D-600D-Camera-Canon-/270983104895
You can have a sneak of my costume here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/14y5n98uuq4qwn9/2013-02-15%2018.51.10.jpg
Photographs shall be taken pre-rum, as I fear for their blurriness afterwards.
I invite you all to drink a shot o' rum :D
@soboy5 @chapjohn @brav @doyouseewhatisee @karenanne @pocketmouse @kimmer50 @tomo87 @tryeveryday @chapjohn @Cheesebiscuit @gphelps5 @gwhit123 @filsie65
@amyamoeba
I don't have a costume but I hope you don't mind if I join you?
Okay, so taken on auto mode which didn't get the focus on my hands properly, but who cares. This is the most fun I've had with my
alcoholcamera in ages.