Recent event

[Alan W]

I have just recently shot an event and it was a nightmare. I had to photograph a group of soldiers at their passing out parade, it was indoors, with little light and all I had was my piddley on-camera SB800 flashgun. By fluke I managed to get the shot and with a lot of photoshop and some help from a friend I managed to produce this image. It was a steep learning curve and completely alien to me, don't anybody say that event photography is easy! Cos it ain't unless you've got the right tools for the job.

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

Yup that's a real tough one...

I would have given a long expo a try, they are soldiers and used to
keeping still for a while... :)

Only about 1 second or something... And hand activate the flash
off a white card to spread the light.. if you know what i mean...

[Stemmy]

But being a proffessional is all about having the equipment and experience to deal with these situations.

[Alan W]

Unfortunately Martin this one was all about the company who produce the prints being let down by their photographer, and being really desperate for someone else to do the shoot. So I felt sorry for them and decided to give it a go and to be fair they weren't totally honest to me about what the job entailed. As it all unfolded on the night I started to become aware of what I had let myself in for. I am now thinking about getting myself a secondhand Metz 60 gun with a lead battery pack and diffuser. I have heard that one of these behind and above you on a stand is quite good for this type of job. Does anyone agree?

[Gadget]

considering the background, which i assume they chose, and the lack of available kit - you didn't exactly get much information.
Personally I'd have set a couple of bowens heads up, but as I say you need the information ahead of time.

Hope you don't mind but i've done my own tweek which lifted the edge a bit.

[Stemmy]

Alan

I just read my last post and it sounded like I was having a go at you - sorry this was not my intention.

I use Canon 550EX flash heads they are superb. I have 4 of them so if I am doing a job like this it take at least 3.

you can set them up as remote slave units, so I have one on camera which fires the other 2 which are positioned at 45s to me. Bounced off the ceiling they are superb. The on camera flash you can set to either fire and trigger or just trigger. I let it fire to add catch lights.

They are soo good because they only take 5 mins to set up and are no trouble to carry around. A portable studio in your camera bag.

[Alan W]

Whats the max output of your canon guns Martin? I'm wondering how they compare with Nikon SB800's. If I were to get a couple more 800's they all link up wirelessly - thus copying your system. Mind you, at £300 each the secondhand Metz set up looks a far more attractive prospect.

[Stemmy]

Everything you should need to know is here.

http://www.usa.canon.com/html/cameras_speedlite/550ex.html