Urgent help needed

:halp:
My daughter as just phoned and asked if I would take some photos in the morning of the children at her pre-school.
They are having their nativity play and want some photos of the children for the parents that can't be there.
Now obviously these little ones aged between 2 and 4 do not stand still for long.
The photos will be taken before hand in the church hall and after while the nativity is going on in the church.
I am a bit nervous about this.
They have assured me not to worry if they don't turn out it will be fine.s00k
I really need some help and advise.
My camera is a
Panasonic DMCFZ8
Any tips on camera setting etc and advise would be very gratefully received.
The hall is bright with big windows .
The church is dark.

 

OK Lyn.. stand by.
First thing is to get the kids on your side....
You have a cracking good camera for the job, so no worries there.
If the hall is nice and bright try without the flash.
If it is very dim you may have to use it.
Try not to have a bright window behind your subjects.
Please dont make the mistake of being to far back and having little people in the midle of the picture.
People want to see people in their little ones pictures.
Ok Settings: I would try "Normal"
Flash forched off.
White balance "auto"
Sensitivity "Auto"
Picture size and quality, the best you got for DMZ
Metering mode... "multi" the first setting.

Failing all that malarky. just set it on the simple mode. thats the little "red heart" on the top dial and let the camera do the work. I find it will usually do a good job in backlit situations.
Try a few and review your results.
And, dont forget to get in close and take loads and loads of pictures.
And make sure your battery is fully charged and you have of plenty of room on the SD card. Basic stuff I know, but I worth mentioning.
Oh yes, try not to use the wide 28mm setting, just zoom in a little and make the final frame by moving. and dont forget plenty of head and shoulders with heads touching is always good..
Best on luck robert

 

Just picked up on the church bit Lyn
Top setting to normal and flash to auto, but try to keep your subjects about 6 feet away..

#robert

 

O thank you so much.
I have charged 2 batteries, just in case.
Emptied a 2 g card and will take a spare.
Just about to have a look at the settings.
I never really do many indoor photos only close ups .
Thank you again

 

Sound advise indeed WoW.
robert

 

I must admit I did get confused with the camera type
But advise still good.

robert

 

It's the Manager of the Pre - school that as organised it.
The parents who work or can't be their have asked for photos to be taken so it should be O.K .
Only the manager my daughter who's twins are there and myself will have access to them.
Then the Manager will show them to the individual parents.
You have to be so careful today.
They all no me as I spend a lot of time there helping etc.
Lets just hope I get some good photos.
Thank you again.

 

The deed is done.
It went O.K
There was a bit of a mix up with the church , so it all took place in the church hall.
At first it was fine I took lots of photos as the children arrived in their costumes.
But then, all the parents came in and it turned into a bit of a scrum.:D
The room was to small and not enough seats.
Everyone wanting a photo on their phones.
They wouldn't have done it in the church.
I took about 300 and kept about 200 so not to bad.
Some are a bit motley I think lack of light, to far away and having to zoom in, but they are O.K
What with the children moving, the crush of all the parents ,cameras flashing & poor light I think I did alright.
I felt like paparazzi :lollol:
The children were fine and took it in their stride, in fact seemed to love it.
I have put them onto a DVD with childrens carols.
A nice keep sake for my daughter who as the twins there.
I'm doing one each for the close family that matter.
I have also done contact sheets and a photo c.d. for the pre-school so the parents can have any they want via email.
The ones without email can have them printed off via friends who do.
Well thats the plan.
Technology !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all again for your help and advise.

 

Love it when a plan comes together
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>: sleigh:

 

Well done Lyn sounds like you did ok, the 2g card on simple mode (jpeg) takes over 2000 pics so you had plenty of space.
On the others (tiff) only about 250, A massive difference in file size.