[Tobers]

Howdy all.

I have to photograph a fashion show on Friday evening. I'll have my 1D and 580EXII with me, along with a 17-40, 24-105 and as yet unsold 70-200 - all F4.

I imagine it will be all flashing lights & stuff.

Anyone got any tips? If it is light enough I plan on trying to use manual mode to expose fairly correctly for the ambient light, and using on-camera flash to fill in in ETTL mode, possibly bounced off the ceiling if it is white. If not light enough, I'll stick it in P and the flash on ETTL and let it sort itself out. Probably will use the 24-105.

Thanks!

Toberssssssssssssss

[Tobers]

Anyone?

[stevegreen]

It's all gonna depend on the light Andy which I suppose is why it's a difficult one to answer. Personally speaking I would try and avoid using the flash as there is bound to be quite a vivid natural light source I would guess.

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

Personally speaking I would try and avoid using the flash as there is bound to be quite a vivid natural light source I would guess.

Unlikely to be natural light if it's in the evening - I would use the flash and shoot at about 800ISO to give you the best chance of balancing exposure with the background ambient light.

Position wise, I suppose the best place to be would be the end of the runway (assuming it's that kind of show) That way you can catch the young ladies (assuming it's ladies) when they pull their end-of-runway pout and pose.

Might be an idea to use the 105 at f4 from a distance to give full length shots and enough DOF to give you a sharp subject isolated from the background. If they're on a raised platform, you might want to take a stepladder to bring you up to their level. It's also a handy way of securing yourself a prime spot before the fun starts.

Perhaps you could also try and get some close up, heavy flash 17mm shots from down low?

Ideally, you want to get backstage for some high ISO grainy frockless fun too

[Paulie-W]

Can you scout the location first to give you some idea of the lighting rigs, and if any, ceiling height?

Lighting may well be pulsed with whatever music that's being played too.

I`ll ask swmbo in the morning about what lighting to expect (she knows this kind of stuff).

[PlasmaNewbie]

If its a show, will they have a rehersal? If you can get off work early, sneak in and get some test shots....

If you haven't already seen the canon pages on flash, they are worth reading.

Good luck

[Tobers]

Originally Posted by Liquid101

Perhaps you could also try and get some close up, heavy flash 17mm shots from down low?

Like upskirt shots?

Originally Posted by Liquid101

Ideally, you want to get backstage for some high ISO grainy frockless fun too

I'm on that page too

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

Can you scout the location first to give you some idea of the lighting rigs, and if any, ceiling height?

Actually I've found out it's in an old converted barn with a high dark ceiling, so no bounce flash then.

I've been looking at some other sites and it looks like a v.fast lens with no flash is the way to go. I might try and scround mpritch's 70-200 2.8, and take the 50 1.8 as well, and also play with the ISO with the f4's. I think my 100-300 f4 could be quite useful...

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by Tobers

Like upskirt shots?

What's an 'upskirt' shot?

Nevermind - I'll check it on google images......

[stevegreen]

Mabe 'natural' light was the wrong expression, what I meant was the stage lighting etc

[Tobers]

Thanks - I know what you mean ("ambient light"). I might also try some slow shutter speed shots with a tripod to get some swirling colours as the models twirl about (assuming they will do).

Champagne & canapes too - hope yours truly is allowed. Next question - what to wear? I'm reckoning on going smart i.e. suit, shirt, no tie. Such a lot to worry about .

[denno75uk]

Originally Posted by Tobers

Next question - what to wear? I'm reckoning on going smart i.e. suit, shirt, no tie. Such a lot to worry about .

Please tell me you're not asking for sartorial advice now. Going ga ga over babies on here is one thing but are we really going to start crashing Trnny and Suzannah's party too? Not that I know who they are of course.
Damn.

[Paulie-W]

Being in a barn, there will almost definitely be spot lights in action i would reckon. Barns do tend to be quite dark.

[Tobers]

Ta for the help. I'm going in with my bevvy of F4 lenses and a 50mm 1.8.

Sartorially, I think I'll go for the suit, but debating possible smart/casual suit jacket with jeans. Prada loafers aren't in the equation you'll be pleased to know . Slightly concerned about the Crumpler bag crumpling the suit though. So much to think about .

Anyway - I'll post pics after the event so you can have a laugh at my efforts. Next event is an open air concert later in July...