Help with settings for this situation

[Christine N.]

Hi! I know pretty much nothing about photography. My kids are in their high school musical. We're having a parent's night where we are allowed to take photos but no flash. I have a decent camera, but I don't know how to set it. It's the kodak easyshare P850 if anyone can help me......

Christine

[Mozer]

Hmmm, I don't know anything about the Kodak easy share camera. Can you do manual setting on it?

It sounds like this is going to be a low-light situation---which makes it a bit tricky to get good pictures.

--try to get as close as possible
--if you can change your settings, change your ISO to at least 800--you might have to go to 1600 (which will produce more grain)
--place your camera on a tripod
--use a slow shutter speed (which is why you need a tripod--anything lower than 30 usually needs a tripod unless you have a really steady hand--which I don't:lol ) This can be a little tricky though if there is a lot of movement on stage.

Your best bet is to get up close and change your ISO. Just see what the light is like and go from there. I would try to go early(or afterwards) and take as many "staged" shots as possible where there might be more light and less movement.

[Hom74]

Maureen gave a lot of good advice. Or maybe bust out your video camera or see if you know any friends w/a dSLR that you could borrow (and use a low f-stop)??