AboutDon Wood Expertise I have been a professional photographer for 26 years. Wedding, portraits, passports, copies, groups pix, reunions, etc. Specialty in photography of large groups. I also have worked in newspaper photography for most of my photographic years. I have built and maintained a b/w darkroom, and a color darkroom.
Experience I have been a professional photographer for 35 years. I am transitioning to digital photography so I might be able to help in that field. I'm retired now but am still able to be helpful in the field. I have built a b/w, color darkroom, worked in a color lab, worked in the newspaper field both in darkroom and as a shooter.
Expert: Don Wood Date: 6/11/2008 Subject: Night & Indoor Photography / Shadows & Red Eye
Question Hi Don,
I am NOT a professional photographer, nor do I plan on ever being one. But, I do really enjoy having my camera by my side & striving to capture something a little bit beyond a normal "snapshot".
I have been asked by a friend to take photos at her upcoming Engagement Party. The event will be small enough that they won't be hiring a professional photographer, but it will be big enough that they would like some quality photos from the night. I am flattered they have asked me to help, & really want to provide them with something special -- so I have some questions about lighting.
I own a Canon S3, but I will be borrowing a Canon Digital Rebel for that night. I can also get my hands on a Canon Speedlight Flash. Would you think this would be sufficient for the evening?
I will be walking around getting candids, smiling faces, people enjoying themselves, not setting up big "posey" shots with tripods etc.
The party will be outdoors, probably under a tent (!) from 6pm - dark. I don't want a bunch of shots full of red-eye that look like my mother took them. ;-)
Thanks for any help / advice you have to offer!
~Sue
Answer Enjoy yourself. Get the Canon Digital before that night and do some practice on it. Familiarize yourself with the guidebook for that camera. The flash sounds like a good idea, although most cameras have a small flash that pops up when there's a low light level. Have enough memory cards to last through the night. Usually in the digital world, there are different values of picture capture. Choose one that will not show pixelation when enlarged to 8X10. Then take an extra card with you. Make sure that the batteries are freshly charged the night before you use it.
Don't worry about red-eye, it's easily corrected with most all the various download programs used by the cameras. Another program I found useful was Jasc Paint Shop Pro, it's an easy to use program, it may be tedious to examine each photo for red-eye but it's easy to do. Enjoy yourself. You do have an advantage, if it doesn't work out and you don't get good pix, remember you're not a pro, but a friend doing a favor.
Good luck, keep me posted. Thanks for asking.
Don
