Graduation party – suggestions, please !!!

[PhilDrinkwater]

PhilDrinkwater –
Thank you for your inputs. I checked the link you have posted and the pictures in it are amazing. I didn’t get a chance to check the other 3 links you have but I will.
Yes, you are correct, event photography is definitely challenging and tougher.

I forgot to mention, I do have the stofen diffuser. I tried it manual mode and the automatic mode before and I got better results in the manual mode. Any suggestions for me in terms of what mode and the other settings I should use?

Thanks. In the first ones with the dancing, I balanced the natural top lighting by using a geled flash straight forwards. It took away some of the "bright noses" you get with top lighting.

I tend to use my flash on ETTL as I move around a lot and use different lenses.

[RKK]

PhilDrinkwater –
Thank you for your inputs. I checked the link you have posted and the pictures in it are amazing. I didn’t get a chance to check the other 3 links you have but I will.
Yes, you are correct, event photography is definitely challenging and tougher.

I forgot to mention, I do have the stofen diffuser. I tried it manual mode and the automatic mode before and I got better results in the manual mode. Any suggestions for me in terms of what mode and the other settings I should use?

Thanks. In the first ones with the dancing, I balanced the natural top lighting by using a geled flash straight forwards. It took away some of the "bright noses" you get with top lighting.

I tend to use my flash on ETTL as I move around a lot and use different lenses.

Any particular colored gel you recommend?

[PhilDrinkwater]

PhilDrinkwater –
Thank you for your inputs. I checked the link you have posted and the pictures in it are amazing. I didn’t get a chance to check the other 3 links you have but I will.
Yes, you are correct, event photography is definitely challenging and tougher.

I forgot to mention, I do have the stofen diffuser. I tried it manual mode and the automatic mode before and I got better results in the manual mode. Any suggestions for me in terms of what mode and the other settings I should use?

Thanks. In the first ones with the dancing, I balanced the natural top lighting by using a geled flash straight forwards. It took away some of the "bright noses" you get with top lighting.

I tend to use my flash on ETTL as I move around a lot and use different lenses.

Any particular colored gel you recommend?

Various types of CTO..

[wickidwombat]

[Event photography is a lot tougher than people think, isn't it?

It is, I really like your wedding post processing, any tips on your processing style you might be generous enough to share?

Thanks

I wouldn't share my "formula" but I can point you to this: http://www.phildweddingphotography.co.uk/index.php/2011/10/colour-checker-passport-for-wedding-photography/

ah worth a shot
I've been doing allt hat manually that gizmo looks like it can save a pile of time!
nice websites, and it refreshing to see the colour spelled correctly too

[Act444]

Last year when I shot a similar event, I used my 60D and the 17-55 2.8 (and 580ex II flash). That was all I needed...

From your setup, seems like the 24-105 and flash should be sufficient. Event photography is not that easy as I found out! Lighting is the most important issue to try to nail down.

[wickidwombat]

PhilDrinkwater –
Thank you for your inputs. I checked the link you have posted and the pictures in it are amazing. I didn’t get a chance to check the other 3 links you have but I will.
Yes, you are correct, event photography is definitely challenging and tougher.

I forgot to mention, I do have the stofen diffuser. I tried it manual mode and the automatic mode before and I got better results in the manual mode. Any suggestions for me in terms of what mode and the other settings I should use?

Thanks. In the first ones with the dancing, I balanced the natural top lighting by using a geled flash straight forwards. It took away some of the "bright noses" you get with top lighting.

I tend to use my flash on ETTL as I move around a lot and use different lenses.

Any particular colored gel you recommend?

Various types of CTO..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LumiQuest-FXTRA-8-Universal-Rosco-Flash-Gels-Holder-NEW-/360457488939?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item53ecf0ca2b
this is worth while for a speedlight, you get a full strength CTO half and 1/4 strength as well as some other colours and fluro equilising gels

[Drizzt321]

If you're struggling for focus lock (you shouldn't with the 5d3...) you can use the focus assist on the flash - just put it on manual and lowest power and point the flash upwards or towards you.

You can actually, in the camera flash control menu, turn off the flash firing although the focus assist will still work.

Make sure you are WELL used to the camera and flash before you go. Test shoot extensively in your house or something.

I definitely agree with this, especially on the 5d3 with the new focusing system. It's quite complex, with lots of options.

[RKK]

PhilDrinkwater –
Thank you for your inputs. I checked the link you have posted and the pictures in it are amazing. I didn’t get a chance to check the other 3 links you have but I will.
Yes, you are correct, event photography is definitely challenging and tougher.

I forgot to mention, I do have the stofen diffuser. I tried it manual mode and the automatic mode before and I got better results in the manual mode. Any suggestions for me in terms of what mode and the other settings I should use?

Thanks. In the first ones with the dancing, I balanced the natural top lighting by using a geled flash straight forwards. It took away some of the "bright noses" you get with top lighting.

I tend to use my flash on ETTL as I move around a lot and use different lenses.

Any particular colored gel you recommend?

Various types of CTO..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LumiQuest-FXTRA-8-Universal-Rosco-Flash-Gels-Holder-NEW-/360457488939?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item53ecf0ca2b
this is worth while for a speedlight, you get a full strength CTO half and 1/4 strength as well as some other colours and fluro equilising gels

wickidwombat - thank you for the ebay link

[RKK]

I have one more question ... I use Hoya UV filter on my lenses, just for protection and easy cleaning purposes. Do these filters degrade the quality of the pictures? I haven’t seen any difference in specific though.

Thank you all, for your responses!

[RKK]

Various types of CTO..

Got it! I never used any gels before and I will give it a try. Thank you, PhilDrinkwater!

[wickidwombat]

I have one more question ... I use Hoya UV filter on my lenses, just for protection and easy cleaning purposes. Do these filters degrade the quality of the pictures? I haven’t seen any difference in specific though.

Thank you all, for your responses!

I use high quality filters on all my lenses
you will be very thankfull for it if someone accidentally spills beer on you nice L lens
B+W filters tend to be easier to clean the hoyas can be a challenge
i use both


these lens pens clean the hoyas very easily though so keep one with you
this little cleaning kit has one in it very cheap and the blowers are good too
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5in1-Lens-Cleaning-Pen-cloth-Fluid-Blower-Kit-Canon-EOS-500D-550D-1000D-600D-/180763011624?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item2a1650aa28

also a tip with shooting flash is if the background is brighter than the subject you will need to add flash EC to balance it to ambient if the background is darker you will need to reduce EC on the flash do some testign at home with bright window backlight vs dark candle background once you get the hang of balancing flash to ambient its pretty easy and ETTL is wonderfull. the amount of EC required will depend on the brightness  / darkness it just takes a while to get a feel for this

[RKK]

I have one more question ... I use Hoya UV filter on my lenses, just for protection and easy cleaning purposes. Do these filters degrade the quality of the pictures? I haven’t seen any difference in specific though.

Thank you all, for your responses!

I use high quality filters on all my lenses
you will be very thankfull for it if someone accidentally spills beer on you nice L lens
B+W filters tend to be easier to clean the hoyas can be a challenge
i use both


these lens pens clean the hoyas very easily though so keep one with you
this little cleaning kit has one in it very cheap and the blowers are good too
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5in1-Lens-Cleaning-Pen-cloth-Fluid-Blower-Kit-Canon-EOS-500D-550D-1000D-600D-/180763011624?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item2a1650aa28

also a tip with shooting flash is if the background is brighter than the subject you will need to add flash EC to balance it to ambient if the background is darker you will need to reduce EC on the flash do some testign at home with bright window backlight vs dark candle background once you get the hang of balancing flash to ambient its pretty easy and ETTL is wonderfull. the amount of EC required will depend on the brightness  / darkness it just takes a while to get a feel for this

wickidwombat - great suggestion and thank you for the eBay link!

[PhilDrinkwater]

and it refreshing to see the colour spelled correctly too

Haha!!

Thanks. I've spent a fair bit of time on them

[PhilDrinkwater]

You can actually, in the camera flash control menu, turn off the flash firing although the focus assist will still work.

Really? I've literally never seen that - or is it a new 5d3 feature I've just not spotted yet? And I thought I'd been through every setting

[Drizzt321]

You can actually, in the camera flash control menu, turn off the flash firing although the focus assist will still work.

Really? I've literally never seen that - or is it a new 5d3 feature I've just not spotted yet? And I thought I'd been through every setting

No, I've seen it on my 5d2 as well. It's in the External Flash control menu. I think. Maybe it's elsewhere, but I've used it in the past.