URGENT: Night Shots - fire & movement

[bethany138]

Ok,

I need some serious help here. Tomorrow night I am shooting a Boy Scout Order of the Arrow ceremony. (Native American costumes, dancing, etc.) The main event is where the O.A. chief (my little bro..yeah!) will row a newly dedicated, hand-carved canoe across the lake....likely with torches on the canoe. This is the hard part. HOW THE HECK do I shoot at night, with movement, and FIRE! Also - they will probably dance later (full outfits, drummers, etc.) and I would like to shoot that too. I am very excited about this but I know very little about nighttime shooting. PLEASE give me some suggestions...

Here is my equipment:
Canon 5d
24-70 2.8 L
50 mm 1.8
580 EX Flash
Tripod
I have studio lights (AB 800's) but I would prefer not to use them. I also have a 5 sided reflector.

Thanks!!

b

 

[zedin]

OA events are fun =)
Well since I doubt a flash would be very effective on a canoe out in the lake your best shot might be a VERY slow panning shot using a leveled tripod. (that and cranking your iso to max).
During the dances you might be able to get away with a flash (if they don't mind obviously) otherwise you again will have to crank the iso up and do your best.

 

[bigfatbadger]

Sounds a little tricky,

my slightly amateurish advice would be to spot meter from an area close to the torches but not actually on the torches , this will probably mean the middle burns out but you retain some detail in the edges and the rest of the picture.

Sorry!

 

[bethany138]

Thanks... I've heard that the 5d does well at 1600 so we will see! I will try that panning idea! I doubt they will mind the flash since they (BSA) asked me to come shoot it.

Thanks
b

 

[fotogenik]

I have an event shortly as well involving fire spinners (they play with torches) and nightime at a wedding that I am attempting to figure out.

Will prolly go shutter priority and use my 50mm lens for biggest aperture and bump up the ISO. Might try some things for practice before then.

 

[bethany138]

I think I'm gonna try dragging the shutter a little with 2nd sync flash... What do ya'll think?

(I can say ya'll ... i'm from mississippi...lol)