Performer - C&C are welcome !!

[Tejal]

Great shot Tejal!

Thanks

[Tejal]

"Grain" (noise) is not necessarily bad and there are good noise reduction programs.

To lessen the appearance of noise it is very important to expose as far to the right as possible, especially when using high ISO - sometimes it might benefit to blow some highlights to allow an adequate exposure for the main Subject.

WW

I hardly get opportunity to shoot at night or in artificial lights, but this imp suggestion, i will keep in my mind. Many thanks

[Tejal]

The colors are so rich and the facial details are captured so well

Thank you

[Manfred M]

Thanks Manfred. Stage was quite high, almost 4.5 ft and we were standing or bending below that, so that we do not create disturbance to the viewers. It was difficult to capture the whole body. If we try to capture the whole body then back side light would have created problem. I will share some pics of stage too, to understand the filed. I think, it will be more useful to understand how to capture and what could be done in such type of field situation.

Thanks Tejal - you have confirmed my suspicions. Unfortunately, there is no good answer for this issue. I've had some reasonable success with aisle position, where I am parallel or slightly higher than the stage in situations where there is sloped seating towards the stage, but this means shooting with a longer lens, and that adds other complexities.

In the far distant past, I had the opportunity to shoot some theatre during dress rehearsals, and was able to get right on stage to do some shooting, but that means you need contacts with the performance and that takes some time to build on. I've also done some shooting during setup on the day of the show, but again, that requires special access.

[rpcrowe]

Success in stage photography depends upon:

1. The lighting
2. Your position
3. The performance (if there is a lot of movement)
4. Your equipment: both camera allowing relatively high ISO and lens: with large minimum aperture and ISO
5. Your technique

1. You have no control over the lighting except to shoot when the lights are brightest
2. You may or may not have control over your position. I don't like the front row because I am shooting up at an angle, yet I don't want to be too far from the performers. I want a clear shot at the stage if possible.
3. You don't have any control over the performance except deciding when you will shoot. It's best to shoot during periods when the actors/dancers are moving least - if that is at all possible. Or shoot at a slower shutter speedand let the performers dissolve into a blur.
4. We shoot with the equipment that we own - unless it is a very special performance when it might be worthwhile to rent a camera or lens. I shot the attached images using a Canon 40D (which is certainly not a camera known for high ISO) with a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens - fairly slow f/stop but with Image Stabilization.
5. I rested my elbows on the table (this was a dinner show) and shot during pauses in the action. I used burst mode and selected the middle shots which were least influenced by the motion of pressing the shutter button. I shot at ISO 800 (which was the highest I preferred to go with the 40D and I used NIK Dfine for noise control... This allowed my exposures of arounf 1/125-1/320 second at f/4.5-5.6; Luckily, the stage lights were reasonably bright...

116mm, 1/125 second at f/4.5


200mm. 1/250 second at f/5


BTW: The performers were under different color lights

I shot this aerialist on a cruise ship. I was quite close to her and shot at 43mm on a Canon 7D. My exposure was ISO 3200, 1/200 second at f/5. I used NIK Dfine for noise reduction... I used the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens...



There was no place from which I could shoot without spotlights shining into my lens. I tried to shoot with the performers body blocking some of the light streaming into the lens...

[William W]

Good points Richard.

The last image is an example where blown highlights is the best option - one of the points I made earlier - great example of that, thank you.

One of the key points predicating even preparing for Theatre Photography - maybe applicable in some areas more than others - is the permission/right to shoot at all: and not necessarily only applicable to "big name productions" I note that there are more and more "community" productions protecting their copyrights (plural) and thus prohibiting any form of recording. Last year's school play when I assisted as Lighting & Sound Director, the parents were prohibited from making any photos or video because the costumes were loaned gratis - but on the condition that the designer's copyright be protected. This was a first time this had happened.

WW

[NorthernFocus]

Really an excellent image, Tejal. Isolation against that dark BG is awesome. Good job.

[Tejal]

Thanks Tejal - you have confirmed my suspicions. Unfortunately, there is no good answer for this issue. I've had some reasonable success with aisle position, where I am parallel or slightly higher than the stage in situations where there is sloped seating towards the stage, but this means shooting with a longer lens, and that adds other complexities.

In the far distant past, I had the opportunity to shoot some theatre during dress rehearsals, and was able to get right on stage to do some shooting, but that means you need contacts with the performance and that takes some time to build on. I've also done some shooting during setup on the day of the show, but again, that requires special access.

This is a program organised by national school of drama, Delhi, here in my city, Surat, Gujarat, India. We, photographers had not separate space, allotted for photography. In fact, we had to adjust ourselves so that we dont come in between the viewers. Nothing was in our control. Some how, with my smile, I could able to get place exactly in front but my position was quite below the stage and it was not a theater style sitting arrangement. Theater style seating arrangement was quite far from the stage, where i think my 55-250 lens also would have not worked.

But it was a nice experience since i shot this way for the 1st time.

[Tejal]

Success in stage photography depends upon:

1. The lighting
2. Your position
3. The performance (if there is a lot of movement)
4. Your equipment: both camera allowing relatively high ISO and lens: with large minimum aperture and ISO
5. Your technique

1. You have no control over the lighting except to shoot when the lights are brightest
2. You may or may not have control over your position. I don't like the front row because I am shooting up at an angle, yet I don't want to be too far from the performers. I want a clear shot at the stage if possible.
3. You don't have any control over the performance except deciding when you will shoot. It's best to shoot during periods when the actors/dancers are moving least - if that is at all possible. Or shoot at a slower shutter speedand let the performers dissolve into a blur.
4. We shoot with the equipment that we own - unless it is a very special performance when it might be worthwhile to rent a camera or lens. I shot the attached images using a Canon 40D (which is certainly not a camera known for high ISO) with a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens - fairly slow f/stop but with Image Stabilization.
5. I rested my elbows on the table (this was a dinner show) and shot during pauses in the action. I used burst mode and selected the middle shots which were least influenced by the motion of pressing the shutter button. I shot at ISO 800 (which was the highest I preferred to go with the 40D and I used NIK Dfine for noise control... This allowed my exposures of arounf 1/125-1/320 second at f/4.5-5.6; Luckily, the stage lights were reasonably bright...

116mm, 1/125 second at f/4.5


200mm. 1/250 second at f/5


BTW: The performers were under different color lights

I shot this aerialist on a cruise ship. I was quite close to her and shot at 43mm on a Canon 7D. My exposure was ISO 3200, 1/200 second at f/5. I used NIK Dfine for noise reduction... I used the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens...



There was no place from which I could shoot without spotlights shining into my lens. I tried to shoot with the performers body blocking some of the light streaming into the lens...

Oh... wonderful shots.....!!!

Here situation was quite different and as you all know, i have only kit lenses :P so tried my best to capture with what i have =D. I will share some more shots too. And will try to post in such a way that you all can understand the field situation also. I am really enjoying knowing, eveyone's thoughts and experience . Learning a lot from you all.

[Tejal]

Good points Richard.

The last image is an example where blown highlights is the best option - one of the points I made earlier - great example of that, thank you.

One of the key points predicating even preparing for Theatre Photography - maybe applicable in some areas more than others - is the permission/right to shoot at all: and not necessarily only applicable to "big name productions" I note that there are more and more "community" productions protecting their copyrights (plural) and thus prohibiting any form of recording. Last year's school play when I assisted as Lighting & Sound Director, the parents were prohibited from making any photos or video because the costumes were loaned gratis - but on the condition that the designer's copyright be protected. This was a first time this had happened.

WW

Yes, here too in India, same situation. Mostly in schools they dont allow, as they make CD of it and then sell it out. Even for some other stage shows or live consorts also, they dont allow. Here in this show, on previous day only, I had given a call and had inquired about. They gave permission, so things went well.

[Tejal]

Really an excellent image, Tejal. Isolation against that dark BG is awesome. Good job.

Thanks Dan

[just me]

Tejal......a beautiful, colourful and perfect photo !!!!!!!

Griddi.....

[Tejal]

Tejal......a beautiful, colourful and perfect photo !!!!!!!

Griddi.....

Thanks Griddi