Nightclub Pictures

rabbitinlights

Im going to be taking shots in a Nightclub that need to be pretty decent and could be used for promotion in the future, What tips could people give and what settings will give me the best shots? I have a 350D + 17-85mm IS + 50mm 1.8, ill probably using the 17-85 to get nice wide shots with a good few people in. Im guessing the flash will be my best friend, but I dont want to blind people or the DJ and annoy people?


S.

Shrimp

Get a softener for the flash.. either that or wrap a few layers of grease proof paper over the flash that way the flash is muted and you wont get those horrible shiny skinned shots.. way more flattering..

rabbitinlights

Thanks, that makes sense, I have some scotch tape that would dull the flash?
Should avoid those embarrasing sweaty shots!

Shrimp

yep that'll work, just you might have to layer it.. see how it goes.. as for other things.. shots from just above eye level aiming down are more flattering, if you can, .. a close, tight DOF is also nicer for portraits..

mervifwdc

Depends on how much light you have to play with. High ISO (just watch the noise) and the 50/1.4 are the order of the day. If you go to b/w afterwards, you dont need to worry about what colours are there.

Do a practice night before the real night and you'll see what you/your equipment can and cannot do.

Merv.

antifuse

I assume the club is paying you to do this? Or at least has you there in some official capacity? If that's the case, don't worry too much about annoying the DJ, just worry about getting good shots. And believe me, a lot of drunk people in a club will be happy for you to take their picture, especially if you tell them that it could end up on the club's web site, or promotional materials.

rabbitinlights

Thanks guys for the response! It was actually on saturday night and It went well, Heres a Few pictures, what do you think? The one thing that ruined a few pictures was the bloody smoke machine, but I still managed to geta few good ones! I wasnt getting paid, I was doing it for a few mates and a couple of beers!

Ruu_Old

Aye you are right about the smoke but they aren't too bad at all. I would imagine it was difficult to get proper shots with all the distractions and commotion.

Hello there missus in the last one.