Low-light, nightlife photography tips

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BaggyG9

New member
So i just got hired at a bar to shoot photos I'd like some tips for good results
I have a D3100 but my main problem is that i only have the 18-55 kit lens and the 70-200 lens. Not really good lenses for low light i think..(Planning to buy a prime lens as soon as i have the money)
I have a really cheap flashgun (NEEWER® TT520 Flash Speedlite for Canon 50D 40D 30D 20D: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo) that i think with a diffuser will do just fine until an upgrade.
So any tips are more than welcome!

Thank you! :)
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
BaggyG9 said:
So i just got hired at a bar to shoot photos I'd like some tips for good results
I have a D3100 but my main problem is that i only have the 18-55 kit lens and the 70-200 lens. Not really good lenses for low light i think..(Planning to buy a prime lens as soon as i have the money)
I have a really cheap flashgun (NEEWER® TT520 Flash Speedlite for Canon 50D 40D 30D 20D: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo) that i think with a diffuser will do just fine until an upgrade.
So any tips are more than welcome!

Thank you! :)
Click to expand...

the lenses are part of the issue but the camera is also the problem. it cant handle low light conditions. I would say the most you can shoot with acceptable images is at iso 1600. but even if I had fast lenses, I wouldnt shoot them at open apertures because if youre planning to shoot a few in the pictures youll need depth of field. so most id shoot is f/4

I dont know the settings youll be shooting but if the place is dark then even a FF sensor can only do so much and im guessing only the D3s/D4/D4s would be able to capture images with nice ambiance as well. ive shot with my D3s in weddings at iso8000 on the dance floor.

if I went in with your situation, then id invest a little before doing so. id buy 2 manual power slaves and mount them with clamps somewhere that would somehow light the room a bit. meaning. place one near the bar and have it shoot up to throw some fill. fire them with triggers and have the flash on the camera as well. slaves like the YN-603II would be fine.

I shoot weddings with sometimes horrible lighting. sometimes the whole event is outdoors and there is almost no light whatsoever as the DJ lights really isnt going to impact the exposure enough.

as well you do know the neewer flash is a manual only? so basically every shot youll have to adjust the exposure. just FYI.
 
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BaggyG9

New member
rocketman122 said:
the lenses are part of the issue but the camera is also the problem. it cant handle low light conditions. I would say the most you can shoot with acceptable images is at iso 1600. but even if I had fast lenses, I wouldnt shoot them at open apertures because if youre planning to shoot a few in the pictures youll need depth of field. so most id shoot is f/4

I dont know the settings youll be shooting but if the place is dark then even a FF sensor can only do so much and im guessing only the D3s/D4/D4s would be able to capture images with nice ambiance as well. ive shot with my D3s in weddings at iso8000 on the dance floor.

if I went in with your situation, then id invest a little before doing so. id buy 2 manual power slaves and mount them with clamps somewhere that would somehow light the room a bit. meaning. place one near the bar and have it shoot up to throw some fill. fire them with triggers and have the flash on the camera as well. slaves like the YN-603II would be fine.

I shoot weddings with sometimes horrible lighting. sometimes the whole event is outdoors and there is almost no light whatsoever as the DJ lights really isnt going to impact the exposure enough.

as well you do know the neewer flash is a manual only? so basically every shot youll have to adjust the exposure. just FYI.
Click to expand...

I know the flash is manual.
It wont be that dark. Its not like a club's lighting, way more lights or else i would accept the job. Im pretty sure the D3100 would be ok. The highest ISO i'll shoot would be 800 maybe 1600 in some situations. I'll go to test my camera this Saturday so i would have an idea how its going to be.
 
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Joohn

Senior Member
Indoor photography with entry level body is always challenging. I am completely agreed with rocketman122. As people are hiring you so they will expect professional output. Better equipments always will give you better result assuming you are skilled and creative photographer.

End of the day we have to give our best shot with whatever equipment we have. So good luck!

I am eager to see few clicks from you of that event .


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