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Taking photos of a night club with no flash


4 years 4 months ago #669468 by Paris Gal
I've been asked to shoot a special event at a local night club.  So I took the job, but then started to really wonder how to hammer this out considering I can't use a flash.  Also it's kind of dark with the exception near the bars and pool tables.  The rest of the lights come on and off with the music.

Any tips you can share with photographing a night club? 
5D mark II gripped | Canon 100L | Canon 85 1.8 | Sigma 50 1.4 | Tamron 28-75 2.8 | 580ex II | 430ex II x 2 |
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4 years 4 months ago #669473 by Nikon Shooter
You took the job, Paris, not knowing what you
were getting into?
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 4 months ago #669487 by effron
Crank the ISO and hope for the best. You are controlling little in that situation described.
Why so serious?
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4 years 4 months ago #669545 by garyrhook
Your profile lists a 5D mk II, which is (IMO) so-so for low light (there is much better equipment now).

So, as suggested, turn up the ISO and do your best. You'll probably have a lot of post work, and relying on B&W can cover a lot of lighting problems. Your biggest problem will likely be acquiring focus.

Also suggest, if you want to mitigate noise, the Denoise AI product from Topaz Labs. I'm a fan. They have a trial period, IIRC.
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4 years 4 months ago #669546 by Paris Gal

Nikon Shooter wrote: You took the job, Paris, not knowing what you
were getting into?


No need in being rude.  I know what I'm getting myself into, there were just a couple points that needed ironing out.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has taken a job under these conditions.  
5D mark II gripped | Canon 100L | Canon 85 1.8 | Sigma 50 1.4 | Tamron 28-75 2.8 | 580ex II | 430ex II x 2 |
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4 years 4 months ago #669549 by Paris Gal

garyrhook wrote: Your profile lists a 5D mk II, which is (IMO) so-so for low light (there is much better equipment now).

So, as suggested, turn up the ISO and do your best. You'll probably have a lot of post work, and relying on B&W can cover a lot of lighting problems. Your biggest problem will likely be acquiring focus.

Also suggest, if you want to mitigate noise, the Denoise AI product from Topaz Labs. I'm a fan. They have a trial period, IIRC.


I didn't realize my profile showed my old camera gear.  I have a Canon 5D Mark III and EOS R.  Yes, I figured I would have to crank up the ISO, you bring up one of the points I was concerned about, and that is locking focus.  My EOS R has really good focus, but isn't the best at low light.  I was thinking about renting the 85mm f/1.2, which would come in handy when I have the distance.  Just not for the close up work.  
5D mark II gripped | Canon 100L | Canon 85 1.8 | Sigma 50 1.4 | Tamron 28-75 2.8 | 580ex II | 430ex II x 2 |
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4 years 4 months ago #669560 by Nikon Shooter

Paris Gal wrote: No need in being rude.



You are being rude to your client if he/she doesn't know!
If it is clearly known than ok

 

Paris Gal wrote: I'm sure I'm not the only one who has taken a job under these conditions.  



You are right there.
…………


These were taken with a 300mm ƒ2.8 @ 1600 ISO at different
events, places, and conditions.
 
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Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 4 months ago #669562 by garyrhook

Paris Gal wrote: I didn't realize my profile showed my old camera gear.  I have a Canon 5D Mark III and EOS R.  Yes, I figured I would have to crank up the ISO, you bring up one of the points I was concerned about, and that is locking focus.  My EOS R has really good focus, but isn't the best at low light.  I was thinking about renting the 85mm f/1.2, which would come in handy when I have the distance.  Just not for the close up work.  


The mk III will do better, and I'd think the R would tolerate very low light levels. But I shoot Nikon, however, and that's my only metric.

I'm not convinced mere fast glass is the (only) solution. You still need depth of field. What you want is your best performing lens, the one that locks in focus reliably. If that's an f/2.8 lens, then so be it. You'll struggle less if the equipment performs for you.
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4 years 4 months ago #669570 by effron

garyrhook wrote: You'll struggle less if the equipment performs for you.


Roger that, its changed a bit since I did concert photography back in the seventies. Load in the dark, all manual everything, and no chimping film......:angry:
Why so serious?
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4 years 4 months ago #669572 by Shadowfixer1
I will just add that I would inquire if laser lights are being used. If they are, I would back out of the job. Those things will destroy your sensor.  
www.betterphoto.com/?ramshots
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4 years 4 months ago #669581 by garyrhook

Shadowfixer1 wrote: I will just add that I would inquire if laser lights are being used. If they are, I would back out of the job. Those things will destroy your sensor.  


Oooh... excellent point. No one likes coherent light.
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