Low light photography

[pixel pete]

From my Canon 20 D, I shot this last October. ISO 800 1/640 sec f2.8 80-200 f2.8 zoom at 130 mm focal length. Too bad I don't have the bucks for a 5D.

I have to say that the noise levels are really good at that high an ISO. I haven't even used Noise Ninja on it yet.



Comments appreciated.

[taken]

i have done lot of low light photography of lives shows and concerts its my favorite category this pic does bring back lot of great memories i think this is a good pic with lots of interesting points,in the visual dept very dramatic image indeed! it will surely keep the viewer glued :Specially to the exposed tit if it is that! good composition,focus could have been better,can be bettered in ps too

[pixel pete]

Taken,
Thanks for commenting. Sorry to disappoint you but that wasn't an exposed you know what. When I first opened the image in photoshop, that's what I thought too. See this higher resolution picture.


It's actually sharp and I didn't feel the need to sharpen in photoshop since I'm not printing it.

[missjuliet]

I'm no professional, but I think this picture is absolutely amazing. I love playing with low-light photography, though I'm just starting out, and I love theatre and live performances. This picture is magical in my opinion. Great work!

[Dave Humphries]

Pete, I agree with missjuliet, for me this picture works because the lighting is theatrical and high contrast, (but not too high) and the rim lighting on the hair is great.

I might suggest you were lucky, or had several frames to choose from (20D has good frame rate I gather), regarding the excellent position of the performer in front of the lamp.

I had thought to suggest that a wider framing showing the tip of the performers left foot would be better, but having imagined it, I think this would leave it looking very 'unbalanced' as I think the subject needs that 'anchor point' to the frame.

As you say, noise is, for me, perfectly acceptable.

I might try it with a touch of warming up on colour temp., but I accept the way it is, is probably the way it was.

That's a long way of saying it's a great shot and I can't think of much you could have done/do to improve it.

Regards, Dave

PS welcome missjuliet, do post us a picture or 2 when you get a chance, I find if one can't put your finger on why one's own pics aren't 'great', these forums offer a good place to get helpful suggestions.

[pixel pete]

rustyshutter,
You're right about luck. However after 2 decades of working as a newspaper photographer, I hope I can make my own luck nowadays.

Thanks for your comments. Theatrical lighting is great to shoot because it's always dramatic.

msjuliet,
thanks for your kind remarks. I had several frames of this naturally. This was my favorite frame because of the backlighting, her body position and exposed face. Other frames doesn't show her face as well.

I generally don't tweak my images too much since I hardly print anything