Shooting Prom!

[tirediron]

Considering everything, not bad at all! There are definitely some minor exposure issues, but nothing that's not easily adjusted in post. Good job!

 

[TheCameraLady]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with the results. I ended up shooting with the prime lens but stupid me forgot that I could switch it to manual focus until I was an hour into the prom. It was a pain to focus with such low light. I can't wait to show them to my editor. This was my first event shooting fully manual and the lighting completely changed every time I took a step. It was definitely worth it.
I just found out that there is only 3 people on the yearbook staff that know how to shoot manual! And the others don't even shoot Av, just full auto.


I'm just really bummed about my camera. It was the first big purchase I bought completely by myself. I worked so many odd jobs and bussed so many tables. Well, now to pick myself back up and do it all again. The only equipment I have that wasn't stolen was my reflector and tripod.
*sigh* now to figure out how to make $1500.
I have 2 shoots in the next week and I'll have to rent equipment and that will cost a little more than what I am getting paid, but after that I will be strictly saving for my camera to fuel my passion again.

People suck.

 

[tirediron]

That does indeed suck - 32" of Hg worth! I assume that the police are probably putting exactly zero effort into the case which is even more depressing! That aside, DO NOT go into debt for a shoot. Explain to the clients that your equipment was stolen and while you would still like to do the shoot for them, the only way you can do it is by adding the cost of the rental to the fee. Also, don't forget to shop at my favorite camera store for your replacement gear... Craig's List!!!!

 

[Rocketman1978]

You might ask your parents to add your next rig to an insurance rider on their existing homeowners (or renters) policy. I added $5K in gear for $35 a year with zero deductible if I need to file a claim. Worth looking into after you replace your gear. Even if you buy used insure at 'full replacement cost'.

 

[Patrice]

Explain to the clients that your equipment was stolen and while you would still like to do the shoot for them, the only way you can do it is by adding the cost of the rental to the fee.

Worth a try but don't be too surprised if the client's don't buy it. How is it their fault the OP's equipment went walkies?

 

[vintagesnaps]

I'd think about your vantage point and how you're framing your shots. In the second one notice the door to the left, it appears that your camera needed to be straight. In the one of the prom queen and king her elbow and his head are slightly cut off and it might have been better to have the photo framed below their waists so arms/hands aren't cut off and so you could see her entire sash w/the lettering.

You don't need the guy in the background in your photo, that makes for a distraction from the subjects - if you could have stepped back and to the left it might have placed the guy in the background behind your subjects and gotten him out of view (or for a posed picture maybe you could have asked them to step to their left to get a better background, or moved yourself farther left and back). It helps if you can make sure everything in your viewfinder is what you want in your picture before you release the shutter, which I think takes time and practice to keep in mind.

 

[tirediron]

Explain to the clients that your equipment was stolen and while you would still like to do the shoot for them, the only way you can do it is by adding the cost of the rental to the fee.

Worth a try but don't be too surprised if the client's don't buy it. How is it their fault the OP's equipment went walkies?

It isn't. If she was a full-time working pro, it would be a different story, but as a school student, working at a loss, is, IMO, a very, very bad plan, and hopefully people will understand that.

 

[TheCameraLady]

Thank you for the advice! I'm not trying to make excuses but I was being pushed around by the other people on the dance floor and they were on a verry small stage about four feet above me. I have about 4 other pictures of the same shot but the light was so low and I was having trouble manual focusing and they were anxious to get back on the dance floor.
No excuses. I'll keep it in mind.
i'll beg the yearbook staff to see if I can borrow a lens so it should be about even.