Halloween Party

[jimim]

Hi everyone!

Quick question. I never shot at the halloween party before. We haven't been there for at least 7 years. I got a few questions to kinda prep me so I have what I need.

I'll have my 7D with me for a body.

1. For character pics outside will I have to use my flash or are they lit up? I don't want that "I got my flash on at night look". My lens will be my canon 24-70 2.8 II or the Sigma 35 1.4 art series.

Some follow ups with that.

1. If I shoot without a flash will I have to be more open than 2.8 so will only be able to use the sigma or if I 'm shooting character shots am I asking for trouble being more open than 2.8 for overall sharpness?
2. You think ISO's of 1000 or 1250 should keep me with a fast enough shutter speed. I really don't want to crank up the ISO more than that.
3. If I have to shoot with the flash, backing off of the flash a bit will help for that "got my flash on at night" look?

Also, in general any tips for the parade? I was thinking go to manual and set at least a 1/160 speed, set my ISO to at least 1250, then dial in an aperture and see what kinda exposure I get. if it's no good should I go higher with my iso or open up the lens more? I don't want to speed up the shutter cause I'm worried about shake and being zoomed out a bit.

Some advice would be cool.

I wish I could do some long exposure shots around the park but I got the 2 kids, my parents, and we are going to be with a bunch of friends so I doubt I will have time for those kinda shots, plus I'm taking my tripod with me that night.

jimi

 

[ronfin]

For the parade and characters use your Sigma. You can use Av and take a few test shots to see if you need to bump the aperture, since I wouldn't shoot it completely wide open. The parade won't be moving that fast, so you should get some really awesome shots.

For rides go with the 24-70 because you'll need to be wider on that crop, and 38mm is better than 56mm inside those tight rides.

I took my Speedlite with me for people, and character shots this past summer. I didn't want the warm "orange" look, even though it was easy to fix in post since I shoot RAW. Dialed back the power a bit and used a flash diffuser. Got some nice shots. I would shoot some tests and dial in the settings for the particular spot you stop to shoot from. If you're shooting in Manual you'll have to keep changing every time you move. Av, or Tv, not so much. P, even less. For a lot of the rides I even went green box just to let the camera adjust faster than I could to the changing light. After some Lightroom I was happy with the results.

Post some pics when you get back!

 

[jimim]

Thanks for that! Do you think I will be able to get away with not using my flash outside at night with the meet and greats? Are there any extra lights besides the usual night lighting in the parks?

I can't remember at all what it's like.

jimi

 

[mom2rtk]

Some character greeting spots are much darker than I would expect for a staged photo spot. I would be prepared to use flash. I generally prefer a flash for people shots though, since you can get harsh shadows, and I love to see light in the eyes.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Thanks for that! Do you think I will be able to get away with not using my flash outside at night with the meet and greats? Are there any extra lights besides the usual night lighting in the parks?

I can't remember at all what it's like.

jimi

Most spots will not have much light. You will need to use flash.

The flash is not affected by shutter speed. Typical duration of the flash is around 1/1000 of a second, way faster than any shutter speed you use in the dark. So, if you use 1/15 or 1/200, the subject lit by the flash will have the exact same exposure. The change in shutter speed will affect the background ambient light.

Last year, I set my camera in manual mode with flash on TTL but -0.7 compensation. It was just the pop-up flash. I was trying to go light. The settings I went with were, 1/60 to 1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200.

Why such a high ISO? Well, it's really dark outside and I wanted more of the background exposed. That's what makes the photos seem more natural and not like someone used a super flash. You want ambient light. It then appears to be a multi-light setup, rather than a spotlight from the camera. Because the flash is in auto-TTL mode with -0.7 compensation, it will adjust its intensity accordingly. Basically, while the camera is in manual mode, it is still changing the exposure automatically because the flash is still in automatic-TTL mode.

Don't be afraid of high ISO. Your 7D can handle it. And shooting in RAW is your best friend.

Here is a photo with my camera and the settings mentioned above. 35mm f/2 lens.
(Click on this photo for our trip report at this party, and more photos)


Here is the photo from the PhotoPass photographer's equipment. Big flash and all.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most spots will not have much light. You will need to use flash.

The flash is not affected by shutter speed. Typical duration of the flash is around 1/1000 of a second, way faster than any shutter speed you use in the dark. So, if you use 1/15 or 1/200, the subject lit by the flash will have the exact same exposure. The change in shutter speed will affect the background ambient light.

Last year, I set my camera in manual mode with flash on TTL but -0.7 compensation. It was just the pop-up flash. I was trying to go light. The settings I went with were, 1/60 to 1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200.

Why such a high ISO? Well, it's really dark outside and I wanted more of the background exposed. That's what makes the photos seem more natural and not like someone used a super flash. You want ambient light. It then appears to be a multi-light setup, rather than a spotlight from the camera. Because the flash is in auto-TTL mode with -0.7 compensation, it will adjust its intensity accordingly. Basically, while the camera is in manual mode, it is still changing the exposure automatically because the flash is still in automatic-TTL mode.

Don't be afraid of high ISO. Your 7D can handle it. And shooting in RAW is your best friend.

Here is a photo with my camera and the settings mentioned above. 35mm f/2 lens.
(Click on this photo for our trip report at this party, and more photos)


Here is the photo from the PhotoPass photographer's equipment. Big flash and all.

Excellent illustration Franklin!

I also tend to go high on ISO for those very reasons. Although with a T2i I try to not go over 1600 ISO with a flash.

 

[jimim]

Most spots will not have much light. You will need to use flash.

The flash is not affected by shutter speed. Typical duration of the flash is around 1/1000 of a second, way faster than any shutter speed you use in the dark. So, if you use 1/15 or 1/200, the subject lit by the flash will have the exact same exposure. The change in shutter speed will affect the background ambient light.

Last year, I set my camera in manual mode with flash on TTL but -0.7 compensation. It was just the pop-up flash. I was trying to go light. The settings I went with were, 1/60 to 1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200.

Why such a high ISO? Well, it's really dark outside and I wanted more of the background exposed. That's what makes the photos seem more natural and not like someone used a super flash. You want ambient light. It then appears to be a multi-light setup, rather than a spotlight from the camera. Because the flash is in auto-TTL mode with -0.7 compensation, it will adjust its intensity accordingly. Basically, while the camera is in manual mode, it is still changing the exposure automatically because the flash is still in automatic-TTL mode.

Don't be afraid of high ISO. Your 7D can handle it. And shooting in RAW is your best friend.

Here is a photo with my camera and the settings mentioned above. 35mm f/2 lens.
(Click on this photo for our trip report at this party, and more photos)


Here is the photo from the PhotoPass photographer's equipment. Big flash and all.

Thanks for all the info. I know about the flash and shutter speed. I know only the ap opening or closing will affect the flash when shooting manual and the shutter speed is for background light, but didn't know if I would need to maybe back off the flash a bit if I have t be more open up.

i never shot above 1250 with my 7D cause i figured it would be too much noise even when ran through my nik software or lightroom.

that shot with u guys vs the photopass people is awesome! lol do they even use fast 2.8 glass? i never got close enough to notice or bothered to ask.

I appreciate it alot!

jimi

 

[manning]

Most spots will not have much light. You will need to use flash.

The flash is not affected by shutter speed. Typical duration of the flash is around 1/1000 of a second, way faster than any shutter speed you use in the dark. So, if you use 1/15 or 1/200, the subject lit by the flash will have the exact same exposure. The change in shutter speed will affect the background ambient light.

Last year, I set my camera in manual mode with flash on TTL but -0.7 compensation. It was just the pop-up flash. I was trying to go light. The settings I went with were, 1/60 to 1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200.

Why such a high ISO? Well, it's really dark outside and I wanted more of the background exposed. That's what makes the photos seem more natural and not like someone used a super flash. You want ambient light. It then appears to be a multi-light setup, rather than a spotlight from the camera. Because the flash is in auto-TTL mode with -0.7 compensation, it will adjust its intensity accordingly. Basically, while the camera is in manual mode, it is still changing the exposure automatically because the flash is still in automatic-TTL mode.

Don't be afraid of high ISO. Your 7D can handle it. And shooting in RAW is your best friend.

Here is a photo with my camera and the settings mentioned above. 35mm f/2 lens.
(Click on this photo for our trip report at this party, and more photos)


Here is the photo from the PhotoPass photographer's equipment. Big flash and all.

That photopass photographer doesn't know his/her equipment. I used to do weddings (film days) and if I took a picture like that I would have been fired.