retirement dinner

[BGeise]

So i am going to my aunts retirement dinner tonight and it is going to be at a steak house with i am sure terrible lighting. Give me some ideas me what i should take. I have my A77 that i have a 50mm f1.8 a 16-50 f2.8 and i also have my 18-55 f4 but i think its out. I really don't want to be switching lenses but i think i should have a fast lens. Am i right?

 

[Mike_E]

You'd be better off with a monopod because it's too late to learn how to use a flash.

If you know how to use one of those then do. And still get a monopod.

 

[tirediron]

If you have a speedlight, use that; throw everything into 'P' / Auto and shoot away.

 

[BGeise]

My camera has built in flash but not sure that would be the best. I don't have any other flash

 

[vintagesnaps]

Take the fast lens. I've done sports and events, I might use a 50mm for a smaller event or a longer lens if it's a large ballroom. I try to notice where it looks like the light is hitting and get photos in those parts of the room. Of course, that's for an event where I don't want pictures of everybody (forget the people in the dark corners!). I might want room shots or the podium and displays etc.

I just took pictures at a banquet (for my personal use not shooting the event) and used the existing light; had to use a fairly high ISO. I think a restaurant might be more tricky depending on the lighting (might not be overhead lights and the whole room could be fairly dark), depends on if flash is an option in the restaurant (and being respectful of other diners, unless you're in a separate room).

Maybe do some group shots with the flash, some without; try some candids with existing light (so you're not aggravating everybody firing off your flash all night long! lol). Go early and do some test shots of the table etc. with and without the flash, and see what you can get before everybody in your group gets there.

I know of a couple of photographers who just stick a white business card in front of their on-camera flash to diffuse the light (in a pinch) - there are pop on diffusers, the Stofen I think are supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't tried either of these ideas.