Shooting for a party need tips ASAP thank you!

[Nick Ceolin]

my friends are having a sweet 16 party and asked me to photograph it for them. i am myself only 16 and i have barely any experience shooting in this situation. i have a nikon d5000 with a flash, kit lens, 50mm and telephoto for my equipment. can you share any advice on how to create semi pro looking shots in very low light with my flash and is there any other equipment i should get to help me out. I Really apretiate all your help! thanks

[Jeremy Vohwinkle]

What kind of flash do you have? The best thing you can do is get the flash off-camera and/or bounce it and you'll be sure to get shots that nobody with a point and shoot will be able to get.

[Saira Priest]

Get in close, then closer, preferably with the lense. Take time to set up some shots. Look through magazines, net, etc. To see pic poses you like and try to copy quickly. Take more pics than you think. Different angles, same subject. Look for love, joy and beauty and capture it! Just think to yourself, would i want that moment remembered in the future, if yes then definitely take lots of that moment. Be present in the moment of taking to capture what you visualized the pic to turn out like. You will learn to anticipate moments and be ready right before time to capture. Good luck and you will do well.

[Jordan Anderson (icywarm)]

dont be afraid to ask for a photo... but make sure you know you lighting... have a fail safe.... so if you ask someone for a photo you only need to retake it if they make a stupid face... so get there early and take you light readings... try and keep some mood lighting in the image... most important have fun.... if you are not smiling and having fun... your photos will show it..

[Helen]

Low light obviously makes it difficult to have pin sharp, focussed pictures - but it does help capture movement! I took some at our Christmas party where movement was what I was aiming for. The shots are no way professional, but here's a couple to give you an idea.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7841949&l=066168a8e0&id=684523627 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7841957&l=496db743a6&id=684523627http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7842010&l=3a45017a6c&id=684523627

Also - don't forget background shots, e.g. of any decorations, or lighting effects. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7841791&l=36f02792ff&id=684523627 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7841792&l=a5f76c3ebc&id=684523627

[chris chambers]

if you have an off camera nikon flash, you might try using the commander mode options in the camera for off cam flash, and hold the flash high in one hand while firing. this can produce some neat and different shadow angles, which might turn out a lot different than most shouts would be. i am not sure the exact settings you would need, i don't have that model nikon. also, if you have a coolpix, or other point and shoot, pull that out from time to time. often people will be more apt to do silly quick poses with friends when they are not expecting it, and being a smaller camera not as intimidated. just a couple thoughts.

[Lacey Gautreau]

I don't know if this will help you, but I just shot my first wedding, and the reception was indoors. I found my zoom lens the most useful, and just used the flash directly. I agree, though, that if you can get it to bounce off a wall/ceiling, the results will probably be very good. You should practice that beforehand. Also, I set up my tripod in the corner, and got some cool long exposure shots of people dancing on the dance floor. Looked very cool framed by people sitting there still, with the dancers all ghosty and fast moving/blurred.

[Lacey Gautreau]

and by "used the flash directly", I mean I used it pointed directly at people.