Shooting an Indoor Car Show (Tips Needed!)

[Mitch]

Hey guys,
This Sunday I am heading out to Autosalon 06 and need some tips. Im using a Nikon D70 with an SB800 flash unit. Not really sure how well lit the show will be so if possible I would like some tips on different lighting scenarios. PS I dont have a tri or monopod. Any angle, flash angle, focal length etc suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks
Mitch

[seeto.centric]

tripod would be quite impractical because of all the people moving around- hard to find room to spread its legs, causing obstructions, etc.
and i certainly hope they dont do what they did last year and cram it like a can of sardines.

sounds like the first time you've been to autosalon or an automotive exhibition in general?

last year the lighting was pretty crap.. bouncing the flash was a pain aswell (when shooting models of course).
but nevertheless, dont be too afraid to bump the ISO up a bit. i think i was able to get around 1/20 - 1/60s with the kit lens. forgot what ISO though.
a monopod may be of assistance.

as for angles/focal lengths.. im more worried about the layout of the place and crowds driving you nuts.

-julz

[Mitch]

Ive been before just thought I would grab some tips. Should I direct my flash right on the car? How can I scatter the flash so it doesnt look to blown out?

[Glen]

Mitch, if you had a choice I would probably use a low wide angle and have the flash off camera and back and to the side. I doubt you will have that choice so I would try wide angle and no flash. You will get a lot of reflections anyway off the lights, this is hard. Good luck

[gstark]

Mitch,

Where is this being held?

[Kyle]

Olympic park gary, at the dome


I'll be there, most likely with the iso cranked up a little and a 24-120vr with the vr on.


If you get there early enough you might get away with a tripod

[Mitch]

Yeah ill have the 24-120VR on the end of it So not much focal length and maybe even no flash is the go?

[gstark]

24 would be the longest focal length I'd consider using for this sort of event. If you have one of the 12-24 or 10-20 zooms, that's what I'd be putting on the front of my camera. As Glen says, shoot from a low angle.

Lighting may or may not be ideal; it may vary from one stand or display area to the next.

Flash may help, but be aware of your surroundings: with a high ceiling, bouncing the flash will not be productive. Use a diffuser to try to softyen the light source.

[spada]

Hi
Use wide angle for car because there are lot of people and sometime cars are suurounded by rope or fence ( only WA lens can capture it without people surround )24-120 in some cases not wide enough VR will help alot , do not use flash much ,crank up ISO if needed, and bring a good medium zoom lens and flash to shoot the girls , have a good time.

[seeto.centric]

Mitch, if you had a choice I would probably use a low wide angle and have the flash off camera and back and to the side. I doubt you will have that choice so I would try wide angle and no flash. You will get a lot of reflections anyway off the lights, this is hard. Good luck

heh.. cant usually trust patrons to these events that much to leave a flash sitting beside or behind me. they somehow manage to steal gear knobs from the motorshow, who knows what theyd do with a $500 SB800.. flash/night footy anyone?

back on topic, i agree- no flash is something you should aim for. if i can find the time, ill go have a try aswell. this isnt the final battle, right?
the lighting inside is usually quite consistent though. you might want to disable the flash and use its AF lamp only.

24mm is a tad long for this stuff.. my lens pretty much was stuck on 18mm for the whole day last year. allows you to physically get close enough to the car to make it obvious to people to try avoid getting in the way. (most still dont get it)

-julz