Photographing a large event: HELP!

[ShutterFly]

Im a college student and Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient who has been an avid photographer for about 5 years now. I have been hired to photograph a major Girl Scouting event at our local minor league baseball stadium. I have never shot such a large event before. I am used to still-lifes, portraits, and creative directed photography.

Does anyone have any tips as far as settings, suggestions, or jut useful knowledge for getting the best shots and capturing the experience as best as possible?

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

What type of shooting/coverage will you be responsible for? Are you just documenting the event or are there more specific things that you'll need to shoot?
What sort of equipment do you have?

 

[ShutterFly]

I was given no details or restrictions on specific things to shoot. Basically documenting the event, but photo's will be used in the future in fliers promoting Girl Scouts and other Scouting events.

I will be shooting with a Canon Rebel XSi. I have two Tamron lenses; 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 and 75-300mm F/4-5.6
I also use a UV filter and tripod, with a remote.

I will also be shooting some in Black and White Kodak Tri-X 400 Film for my personal usage in my photography classes for school. I will be shooting those with a Canon Elan II with a 35-275mm Tamron lense.

 

[Robin Usagani]

what will the uv filter, tripod and remote do?

 

[ShutterFly]

UV Filter reduces any glare in an outdoor setting, the remote ad tripod will be used for directed and set up group photographs as well as photographs that I will need to be included in as I am a part of the event as well.

 

[Robin Usagani]

ic.. so you want to be on the picture too. UV filter doesnt reduce glare though, it will add.

 

[ShutterFly]

I am required to be in SOME of the pictures. But that has little to do with the questions I asked in my first post of this thread.

 

[dericcainphoto]

I would take tons of candid shots, a couple of group shots and then some staged/directed shots. Diversify, diversify, diversify... If they are going to use your images in the future, you will want to cover a large scope of shooting styles in order to please the many needs of your customer(s). I would start off with the candids to get people used to you being around with your camera and then move to the staged shots. I understand there are many different approaches, I am only inputing as to how I would approach the situation. Good luck!

 

[Robin Usagani]

Of course it does. I was going to say, why are you putting the camera on the tripod. You will be most likely be limited to horizontal orientation and less mobile.

 

[ShutterFly]

Great! Thank you so much! Excatly the advice I was looking for!

 

[Big Mike]

I'd suggest taking photos that show the girls having fun. A good expression on the subject/model, while including what they are doing and/or their surroundings, is probably the type of shot that they are looking for.

I assume this will be outdoors, probably during the day? I'd suggest using flash quite a bit. If you can, I'd suggest picking up a flash like the Canon 430EX or 580EX.

 

[ShutterFly]

My tripod does not limit me to horizontal only. And being mobile is unrelated if I need to be in the picture.

 

[ShutterFly]

Really a flash in the daytime? You're right, is is outdoors during the day. I do have an external flash, but it mounts to the camera. My photo professor is a famous photographer, Author and speaker. His name is Lowell Handler. He suggests using an external flash that is corded and handheld. D you have any idea where I can get the cord or a new handheld corded external flash?

 

[Robin Usagani]

sigh.. nm.. good luck!

 

[KmH]

UV Filter reduces any glare in an outdoor setting,

Oh? How does a UV filter reduce glare?

I know a properly adjusted CPL filter can reduce glare caused by polarized light, but a UV filter?

Have you considered renting more capable lenses? Is it a day, night, or both day and night event?