Any tips for graduation ceremony photo taking?

[P-P-S-S]

I am attending my graduation ceremony in a couple of weeks and have decided to make some use of my Nikon D60 and take the pictures of myself +family+friends with it.

Do you guys have any recommendations in terms of settings for the camera in order to get best possible pics? Should i shoot on full auto or should i use one of the other settings such as Portrait or should i go fully manual?

I presume i will definitely need a tripod for this.

[OrbitalPete]

Sounds like you've had the camera sat around a while and not been playing with it

In which case I would tend to use the semi-manual aperture control setting.

This will allow you to use wide apertures (f1.4 - 6 ish) to keep a shallow depth of field (i.e. backgrounds will blur, making your portrait subjects stand out). The camera will adjust your shutter speed to make sure your exposure is correct.

If the shutter speed is having to go down below about 1/100 then you should increase the ISO setting on the camera.

I strongly recommend that you take a few hours over the next few days to familiarise yourself with the controls and the results of the different settings.

[kBm]

When your indoors - go for iso800 +Aperature prority - should be ok indoors. Any higher and noise will be an issue.

The camera will want to use the on board flash - no major problem its just that its not the most flattering of light.

Outside, stick it back in Auto and pass the camera round so your in the shots!

Are you going for the formal grad shots that cost alot of money? I did, its worth the money.

[tps58]

Are you sure you can use your camera at the ceremony indoors ?

I'm going to the Birmingham one next Tuesday and cameras are banned. Looking at the advertised photo cost this seems to be about ensuring maximum revenue from the official photography as much as disrupting the event.

Tezza

[Jammyb]

If you're going to be doing close up portrait type shots using the kit lens it's better to 'zoom in' than use the wide end as you'll get a flatter more natural image.

[toadoftoadhall]

mainly depends on where you get to sit. I was allocated a seat in the balcony area, and all I could get is back of heads when recieving diplomas. On camera flash is pretty useless at those sort of distances, so available light ( not much ) is poor. 1600 iso maybe, take a monopod if you have one.
Save the decent shots for afterwards, when you can pose people outside, with the sign of the uni in the background.

just a suggestion, it may be ok where you are. Mine was at Huddersfield

[OrbitalPete]

Very much changes from university to university. Some venues are great for it, some are truly dreadful.

[P-P-S-S]

Originally Posted by OrbitalPete

Sounds like you've had the camera sat around a while and not been playing with it

Guilty as charged. With family and work commitments i have had no time to mess with it. But i think i will get a few days of practice this weekend.

Originally Posted by tps58

Are you sure you can use your camera at the ceremony indoors ?

I'm going to the Birmingham one next Tuesday and cameras are banned. Looking at the advertised photo cost this seems to be about ensuring maximum revenue from the official photography as much as disrupting the event.

Tezza

I am in Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The invitation letter doesnt mention anything about cameras at all but whatever happens i am definately taking some pictures in the corridor/waiting area before or after. I am taking my tripod with me too so when the ceremony is finished i can take a few pics of me and friends. There might be more light out of the ceremony room too.