Indoor graduation

[spoon2003]

My niece's HS graduation is tomorrow. I am the official family photographer so I bought an XT and have been practicing. The graduation is normally held outdoor and I was just going to use the "P" setting. But now due to heavy rain storm predicted, the graduation is moved to the indoor gym. I have never been able to get a good picture in a gymansium and am really nervous. I think lights there will be bright floriscent lights, should I stay with "P" or go with "Av"? what f stop should I start with? I really want to get some good pictures this time as I messed up her before prom pictures last year (again rainstorm, so the whole before prom party got moved indoor with too many kids and low light) Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

Sue

 

[Anewman]

Distance from subject?

Are You going to have to shoot from the seats or will you be able to walk up and take your snaps?

 

[spoon2003]

I will be able to walk up to about 20 feet from where she gets her diploma. I also have a old Canon 380EX speedlite. I will be doing family pictures after the ceremony so those will be at close up. I have the kit lens 18-55 and a sigma 18-200. Praying that my Canon 55mm will get here tomorrow morning!!!

Thanks for any advice.

Sue

 

[Kelly Grannell]

forget the flash, bring the Sigma, set camera to P, ISO to 1600. You're set.

 

[manning]

Don't know if she has software to handle RAW. Would this be the format to use in this situation?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

People are taking RAW too seriously. JPEG is more than enough. NONE of my concert pictures, both Tony Bennett style and rock (with lots of changing light cues, people jumping around etc) require RAW.

Especially for something with constant lighting such as graduation.

NONE of the following pictures used any post processing. JPEG, out of camera, that's it.

 

[spoon2003]

Kelly, thanks for your advice. Unfortunately there were too many people and I didn't get close enough, however I am very impressed with the xt and sigma. I got a few good pictures with P setting and 1600 ISO. I have to laugh at the guy sitting 2 rows infront of me (I was standing at the rear), he had a D70 and the button was on green (auto?) and used a very fancy looking flash but none of his pictures came out (I could see when he reviewed)

 

[JR6ooo4]

This pic looks well exposed. The people look level even though the wall does not. You have to take what is available. In this situation she probably never paused and faced you for even a moment for you to take a picture.

Sometimes less is more. The image is more than enough to bring back strong memories of the day.

Now that I have typed this much, and looking back at it, I realize this does a pretty good job illustrating the graduate's viewpoint. Large crowd of peers, the walk to the stage then the handshake from the dean(?).

Hope she likes it as well.
Mikeeee

Mikeeee

 

[JR6ooo4]

Keeeeeellllly!!!!!!!!! WE SPEEK YOUR NAME.

Those are awesome examples of straight from the cam!
Which I have always thought to be the best judge.
Anyone can set the cam to burst mode and pic one out of two hundred to post.
Your donald pic has (lacking adjectives) uhh deep luster?
Mikeeee

 

[Kelly Grannell]

LOL! I guess it's because I'm too lazy to play with Photoshop (I'm not PS savvy).

Just an additional info, the Donald pic (shown on the other thread) and the Universal Studios pics were taken using Canon dRebel (not XT) using Sigma 18-125 lens. Both hand held. Just to show that the Sigma 18-125 is a VERY decent lens, regardless what other people may say.

Cheers!

 

[ndelaware]

Kelly, who is this? She looks awfully familiar. Or she just another Canadian beauty?!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

She is Cara Chisholm, a musical theatre diva (minus the diva attitude, very down to earth). She was in Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and several other musicals in the past 20 years. She also played Ariel in Disney's London (UK) production of The Little Mermaid.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

PS: is it only my PC that's acting strange? I can't use "go advanced" or "edit" my posts.

 

[ndelaware]

My "Edit" button is working fine as of 12:28 pm eastern time.

LOL, but I did just notice the time is off by approximately 15 minutes!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

it's 2:17pm EST, when I clicked quote, or edit, or go advanced, it shows a blank page.

 

[ndelaware]

it's 2:17pm EST, when I clicked quote, or edit, or go advanced, it shows a blank page.

Well the clock is still off as of 2:26 pm eastern.

 

[Anewman]

Me too Kelly.

I can only post with the quik reply.

 

[geetey]

Thanks for the tip about using Quick Reply. That does work for me!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Kelly, thanks for your advice. Unfortunately there were too many people and I didn't get close enough, however I am very impressed with the xt and sigma. I got a few good pictures with P setting and 1600 ISO. I have to laugh at the guy sitting 2 rows infront of me (I was standing at the rear), he had a D70 and the button was on green (auto?) and used a very fancy looking flash but none of his pictures came out (I could see when he reviewed)

Yeah, most people think if they own a good dSLR, suddenly their pictures will turn out better Honestly, it eats up a lot of my wedding picture sessions because the couple's sousin (or somebody in the family) can just buy a dSLR for the same price I'm charging.

They forget one important thing in picture taking... the photographer.

 

[DebºoºS]

.......................................
They forget one important thing in picture taking... the photographer.

Double Dittos

oh and the edit prob has happened to me as well over the years