I have been ask to take photos at a Christmas party for under privileged children. I need to know what would be the the best film to use. They will be taken inside at night. I will be using a Pentex K1000 and a Mamiya 330F w/flash. Any advice will be appreciated.

-- Kevin Finigan (kfinigan@swbell.net), December 02, 1997

Answers

The best film to use is the one you know. Don't try a new film if anyone other than yourself could be dissappointed. I would use a fairly fast on, around EI 400, to give myself a bit of headroom for bouncing flash off the ceiling, distant shots, etc.

Of course, the intended application might influence your choice. If you want a mini-lab to do a one-hour turnaround, a chromogenic might be a good choice.

I'm assuming you are doing the informal type of photos. Of course, if you are doing more studied portraits, a slower film around EI 100, or even slower, might be more appropriate.

It's been a long time since I did this sort of thing, and HP5 was what I used then. Nowadays, I might try a roll or two of T-Max 400.

Of course, if you want colour, this is the wrong place to ask. -:}

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), December 02, 1997.

Lighting partys

Having worked as an event photographer many times I have three suggestions; fast film, a powerful flash, and a wide angle lense. B&W or color, makes no difference.

-- john schulz (johnschulz@mindspring.com), December 28, 1997.