Party Shoot- Yes or No ?

[Fijian Drifter]

I'm asking for your advice to whether consider an offer to photograph a friend's party.

The party is not a major event, its an 18th in February at the friend's home.

My gripe is that I lack experience and the correct equipment to execute this.

I only just bought my Nikon D3000 a few weeks ago with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. I don't have any other equipment as such yet, although I'm looking to purchase things such as a tripod sometime soon if thats any help at all for a party. Another problem is that I cannot currently summon the coin to purchase an external flash as I just spend most of my money of it on a bag. Are there any other things I might need ?

I am however considering buying a 50mm f/1.8 sometime soon , I've heard a lot about its results in low-light photography and I think I can spend my money on this if it worth it. Which raises the next question , is my 18-55mm a suitable alternative. FYI: I was already considering purchasing the 50mm f/1.8 in the near future but I'm asking if I should purchase it earlier

Therefore whats the wise option in this situation. Am I better off saying no and taking some time to learn the ins and outs of photography or should I say yes and would the purchase of the 50mm f/1.8 and a tripod greatly aid me ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bubu84pl]

Well if you want to take pictures indoor or at the concerts you should consider buying f2.8 lens and some good flash like SB600 or SB800.

 

[TB]

Is the party going to be outside or inside?

Is the party going to be during the day or night?

If it's outside during the day, your kit lens should be fine. If it's going to be inside in the evening, you're going to want what that f/1.8 will give you - more light and therefore a faster shutter. I took all of these shots with a Canon EF 50 f/1.8 in a dimly lit building and they came out pretty well. My kit lens would have a hell of a time doing that without ramping up the ISO.

 

[Fijian Drifter]

Unfortunately at the moment I can only afford either an external flash or lens. So it's one or the other .

Edit : More than likely indoors at night

 

[bubu84pl]

So get SB600 or SB800 lamp.

 

[Beerz]

Unfortunately at the moment I can only afford either an external flash or lens. So it's one or the other .

Edit : More than likely indoors at night

If it were me in your situation, I'd get the 50 lens in a hurry. Cheaper than the flash unit and you can expect much better results, as it will portrait the place as it was in that time. With just the flash, you can expect to have the areas farther from you all darkened, and the only way to solve that would be (even shooting the flash) to bump up the ISO.

With the lens your shots will be much more natural and with a great depth of field, perfect for making your subjects pop on the image. Overall, much nicer look. 👍

As for the tripod, I'd just use it as a monopod if absolutely necessary, or if you are thinking of taking a few shots with longer exposures for a different look, such as wide angles with everyone moving across the frame, but it's very specific.

Also (granted it varies from one person to another), on the long term, you'd get a lot more from that lens than from just the flash unit.


EDIT: Just remembered one thing; if you search for both the flash and the lens used, I'm sure you can get both for the same money you'd pay for the flash alone.

 

[boiltheocean]

I'd keep the versatility of the kit lens and buy a flash to get you through the party. Then once you really get into photography you can decide if you want to get the 50mm. Even with the 50 f1.8 your going to struggle to get lots of decent shots in dim light plus parties usually involve many people so a 50 is quite tight for group shots.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm sure it's possible to get a 30mm prime lens with a low f-number for the D3000. At the very least I know you can get one for the D40, and to my knowledge all D40-compatible lenses will also fit the later D3000.

 

[GT5photographer]

I'm sure it's possible to get a 30mm prime lens with a low f-number for the D3000. At the very least I know you can get one for the D40, and to my knowledge all D40-compatible lenses will also fit the later D3000.

Sigma 30mm 1.4 comes to mind. Crop Sensor only.

Get a flash with a proper diffuser. If its indoor even easier, just get a flash and bounce light in the room. Lens could be crap, but it will be fine with a decent flash.

Here is example, first party photos I did for a friend a yr ago. Kit lens used.

Point at ceiling/walls done

 

[F1GTR]

Go with the flash. 50mm is too tight for most indoors stuff bar portraits/close ups. If there's going to be a cool lighting rig you can get some nice effects by setting the flash to rear curtain sync, using a long shutter speed (around 1 second) and a high f/stop (f/8 would do). You get cool light trails and sharp photos of the people you're shooting due to the rear-sync of the flash.

 

[Beerz]

If there's going to be a cool lighting rig you can get some nice effects by setting the flash to rear curtain sync, using a long shutter speed (around 1 second) and a high f/stop (f/8 would do).

This. 👍