Lame magic-camera-setting question

[Windymiller]

I've got a Cannon 450D in the office with the standard 18-55mm lens. We always pay photographers to shoot stuff for us, but I've got a late-shout on an event that a client's attending tomorrow morning, and I could do with some snaps of it. The event's indoors, and our clients using some exhibition stands that we've just done for them so I'm popping down first thing.

Normally I'd say to a photographer that I want the banners shot in focus in the background, with passers-by blurred as they move past in the fore. Or something similar.

Without sounding too stupid, what are the bits that I fiddle with on the camera to achieve this kind of thing?

And while I'm asking, does anyone know the keyboard-shortcut in Photoshop that retouches all photographs perfectly and makes them pin sharp?

[RobDickinson]

Windymiller said:

Normally I'd say to a photographer that I want the banners shot in focus in the background, with passers-by blurred as they move past in the fore. Or something similar.

You want a tripod and use Shutter priority, set it to 2,5, 10, 20 or 30 seconds (experiment), probably want low ISO (100 or 200).

Prefocus on the banner (with live view if you have it), then switch autofocus off.
Use a remote release or timed shot.

As for sharpening, you shoot raw or jpg?

[Windymiller]

Cheers mate! Sorry, that last bit was a joke! We get clients who send us low-res Google finds and expect us to 'run a filter on it' so we can print it 10 foot wide

Will have a play now...

[RobDickinson]

Its possible you wont be able to get that kind of shutter time in anywhere with decent light. And if you can it will be stoppin the lens down to f22 or more.

For people walking past that are quite identifiable as people probably 1-2 seconds is best, experiment.

[Windymiller]

Cheers mate. Anyone walking past our office must think I'm a nut as I'm walking backward and forwards past the camera at the moment!

[crmcatee]

With a name like that I trust you're doing it between the sails.

[jr502]

Windymiller said:

We get clients who send us low-res Google finds and expect us to 'run a filter on it' so we can print it 10 foot wide

Surely the owner of the image would give you a higher resolution version once they've agreed licensing

[markmullen]

Depending on the light you might need an ND filter to slow the shutter speed down enough to get people blurred.