Need Help Fast

[karenjean]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not.

I'm so sorry that this is such short notice for me to be asking everyone to respond to this. I have my first photo shoot today at noon. It will be at the client's house. The only equipment I have is a Canon EOS 40D, 50 mm f/1.4 USM, lens hood, 580 EX flash, & a Gary Fong Whale Tale. I'm soooooooooo nervous I want to make sure I have everything set right. My question is what would you all set your manual controls on the camera at and what settings would you use for your flash. Sorry everyone I'm a wreck. Since this is my first time J I just want everything to turn out so good and get my name out there as a good photographer. They say the best advertisement is word of mouth; I need this to turn out good.

Thank you all for all your help, ALWAYS!!!!


Karenjean

[Diana]

Hi Karenjean,

Wow, I think it would be hard for anyone to tell you what settings to use, not knowing the lighting conditions or any other factors of your shooting environment. It sounds like you need to learn a little more about your camera before going into a photoshoot on manual. I would advise doing this assignment on automatic. Either that, or snap a lot of takes on auto, then try a few on other settings, then at least you'd have something to fall back on.

I have the Canon Rebel XTi and am trying to get used to using the non-automatic settings myself with my family and close friends. I wouldn't dream of doing a client's portrait on manual at this point....perhaps someday.

That's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Diana

[frank abramonte]

Relax, take your time in setting up your shots and bracket your exposures when in doubt. Would be helpful if you had some help.
I think you would be better off having less shots that are good rather than to shoot away hoping that you will find some good photos.
Also shooting auto will probably take the pressure off of you. It takes a lot of experience to be able to change manual settings in the heat of a photo shoot.

I don't know whether this is possible with a digital camera, I learned it years ago in the army with film cameras:
In an emergency you can use open flash.
Focus>open shutter>immediately shoot your flash>immediately close shutter.
Use a low ISO and hold the camera as steady as possible.

This may be helpful to review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kPLTlGOPY8

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

[karenjean]

I wish I could go out and practice ahead of time, but unfortunately I'm at work so I can't get out and practice. I'm taking these shots over my lunch hour. They are for a lady here at work who wants to give them to her husband for an anniversary present. This session is for free, it will be a while before I start charging anyone. My plans are to do a few sessions for free just to get started and get my name out there. The client said something about taking some pictures in front of her fireplace. She also stated she had a big picture window I might do some in front of. Thank you all so much for the advice on where to start and what to do. I've read the manuals from front to back but stupid me didn't have my camera or flash in front of me to know what the book was talking about. Plus I'm a hands on person.

Thanks for the website Frank I'll check it out.

Thank you all again so much

Karenjean

[frank abramonte]

From what you describe it should be a rather easy shoot. The only exception is in front of the picture window where you will encounter backlighting. In this case focus on the middle of the subject or use a fill flash.

[robpendragon]

Grab extra batteries for your flash on the way there & most important...relax & make it fun