Technical Help with Shooting inside the House

[Photofan#1]

HI Guys
Let me first Thank you for all your help in the past . I have really benifited from all your comments and suggestions. Well I have my Brother's engament party coming up .(Just 10 people attending) .He wants me to take pics. of the party . Its at my house at around 9.00 pm.
Well I am novice at this . I have attended couple of classes and a taken a worksop on Landscape Photgraphy . I do just ok. But I love every moment of it .

Can you guys give me some technical tips on Shooting people in the night inside the house.
I want tips on what Mode shoud i shoot in (aperture /Shutter etc) .What Lens should I use and iso etc etc..
Also My Youngest Brother has a new born and wants me to take his pics too.

Help me I am guys ,I am Lost

Thanking all of you in Advance ..
Sam
Gear
Camera : Nikon D40X
Lenses : 18-55 mm ; 70-300 mm; 50 mm fixed facoal manual; 10-20 mm .
Polarizing filters and Graduated Neutral Density Filters
Feisol Tripod

[LWimages]

* I almost always shoot in either Aperture or Manual mode.
* Use your 18-50mm lens or even the fixed 50mm (I'm guessing that's a 1.8 or 1.4) for getting more light. 50mm f/1.8 is perfect to shoot the newborn.
* Check your white balance. If you use a flash with D40x, you can keep it in Auto and will do a fine job.
* Use ISO 200 or 400, but no more (D40x=D200 sensor), and internal or external flash.
* If you still think it's a bit too dark, change EC +2/3 or even +1 (test it first) so you don't get too much noise.
* If you an external flash, use it, off camera if you can (not sure if D40x can do this)

[Davidtxs]

go to either Houston Camera Exchange (preferably since they sponsor the forum) or Light Tec and rent an SB800 it will make your life much easier

[fivegrand]

As mentioned above, using a non-on-camera flash will make a world of difference. If you can rent a flash, cable and a bracket, that will be great...If you can only rent a flash, bounce, bounce, bounce! Bounce off walls, bounce off the ceiling (what you'll probably get the best results with if the flash has to stay on-shoe). If you have to use the pop-up flash, it is what it is, but you can still bounce to a degree using a white business card or similar - or you can diffuse it a little by cutting up a ping pong ball and slipping it over the pop-up.

[Photofan#1]

Thanks Guys. I hope I dont let my brother down

[Angelo]

Sam, Let me recommend you do a dry run. whatever suggestions you plan to us, test it out first and you will get some great shots.