Diner Photo Advice

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Anderson

Engineer
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Nov 16, 2010
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10,409
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So, I'm probably hitting the first of the diners I'm after (whichever it happens to be) this weekend (technically the second, after 8507). What should I shoot for in photographing the diner (understanding that this will be a "dinner shoot" and that I can't exactly get an empty diner on a whim)? Obviously the car number on the outside, but what else should I aim for?

(All of these runs will be like this...the diners will be in use while I'm shooting. Which is how they should be...I'm not shooting a museum piece, after all, and that's a large part of the point of this exercise)
 
Aloha

Since you will be shooting around people set your camera's ISO high enough that you do not need a flash or disturb other diners. This will also eliminate flash reflections from the windows or glasses/silverware. Many people take pictures of the meal as served. Many times you can take pictures of the empty diner between meals.
 
Aloha

Since you will be shooting around people set your camera's ISO high enough that you do not need a flash or disturb other diners. This will also eliminate flash reflections from the windows or glasses/silverware. Many people take pictures of the meal as served. Many times you can take pictures of the empty diner between meals.
My camera should be workable without the flash, but thanks for the note to make. Regrettably, I'll probably have to settle for "between seatings"...I'm going to be booking most of this on WAS-RVR, or at most BAL-RVR, which means "two hours and a little change during dinner" on the Meteor.
 
I had this photo taken by our tablemates at dinner. I had my camera on auto no flash and it only used an ISO of 750 to take this image. Lens was at 18mm

910018229_zNGHM-XL.jpg
 
I've got a Canon Power Shot S95. It's got a readily adjustable zoom (28mm to 105mm) and I was pleased with the work I managed on the long trip I was on before. But it's also not the most complicated beast in the world, which is another plus for it.
 
If you wander into the Diner between meals, you can usually get the tables set and ready to go and be at you leisure to set up and get shots from different angles. Late night is another good time, especially since you do not have to fight light coming through the windows; however, often the tables will be stripped bare. I got some pretty good shots through the "cage" of the Heritage kitchens at night as well.
 
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