Seeking advice to shoot Variety Show in Auditorium

[csondagar]

Hello Folks

I have been asked to take photos of a Charity Variety Show (children and adults dances, singings, drama) that will be held in an auditorium. The lighting will be limited and the auditorium is quite large. The stage from the first row of seating is about 2-3 feet high.

Since the shows will include items of solo singers to group of kids/adults dancing (max 20 people in a dance), I would like to take shots that would capture entire group and stage (including background) and portraits of individuals.

As this is a Charity program and happens once a year (attracting 300-400 audience) I am doing this as a voluteering. Though, I would like to get the best shots as possible.

I would like some advice on how to get the best results based on my my kit (described in my signature). I donot have an external flash, and as you can see I have limited kit available for low light shooting.

Please pass me your advice and guidance. Thanks.

[tim]

It'll be hard to do with that equipment. I shoot some theatre, and it can be tough. I never shoot performances, I always shoot dress rehersals because that way I can move around without bothering the audience. If you're sitting down in the front row, the photos will look pretty average.

Go have a read of this tutorial (http://www.photo.net/learn/concerts/mirarchi/concer_1.htm), then come back and ask more questions :)

[csondagar]

Tim, Thanks for the tutorial. I will read it in couple of days. If I had $400 (damn, now I will have battle with my wife!) to spend what would you recommend I buy to take low light performance photos?

[tim]

Depending on the situation I use the 50mm F1.4, the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 (only when it's very bright), or the 70-200 F2.8 IS. I'd probably recommend the 50mm F1.4 if you had to buy something, though you'd probably be better saving your money for a camera that does better at high ISO. Alternately you should buy a flash and use that, then the 300D would be fine, but the problem with flash is it overpowers the lighting there, and distracts the performers, so it's not really a good option.

[csondagar]

What if I get Tamron 28-75mm Di f/2.8 for US$355? Will this work for low light using it with ISO of 800-1600?

[tim]

What if I get Tamron 28-75mm Di f/2.8 for US$355? Will this work for low light using it with ISO of 800-1600?

It depends on the lighting. I've had some theatre (Les Mis) that I was shooting at F1.4 and ISO1600 and that wasn't giving me the shutter speed I need, but i've had another (Gilbert and Sulivan) that I shot at F4 ISO 800 and got good shutter speeds. In general you'd probably want faster than F2.8.

[csondagar]

Tim, Thank you very much for your advice. Now, anything faster then f2.8 means $$$$. I will have to look around for something affordable lens. If I get it then I can assure the program organizer of some good quality results otherwise ask them to take a chance.

Cheers, Tim.

[csondagar]

I have been searching Tamron, Canon, Sigma, ebay, and amazon for a lens that will replace my kit lens (wide zoom) with f1.4 or f1.2 and I cannot find any. Any suggestions on which lens I can use to replace my kit lens and be able to take low light photos?

[formula4speed]

If you want something faster than 2.8 then you have to go with prime lenses. Sigma makes a very nice 18-50 2.8 zoom lens but as others said that may not be fast enough for this situation. Personally I'd go with a wide prime like a 20mm 1.8, your 50mm 1.8 and an 85mm 1.8 for tighter shots.

[snibbetsj]

85 f1.8 is an excellent lens. You can throw in the 50 f1.8 and not go much over $400.

[Wilt]

>>I have been asked to take photos of a Charity Variety Show (children and adults dances, singings, drama) that will be held in an auditorium. The lighting will be limited and the auditorium is quite large. <<

Any chance that performers will be illuminated with a spotlight? If so, those are fairly intense and you can shoot somewhere around f/4 at 1/30 at ISO400 for anyone in the limelight.

If you do have access to an external flash and if it is a very powerful unit like the Canon 580 or Metz 60, your flash would let you out to about 65' with f/5.6 and ISO400.

[tim]

I'd say your best bet might be to use the 50mm F1.8, and zoom with your feet. I don't like that lens much because I never got many keepers shooting theatre with it, but to get much better you're going to be paying a lot of money.

Most places won't let you use a flash.

[csondagar]

>>I have been asked to take photos of a Charity Variety Show (children and adults dances, singings, drama) that will be held in an auditorium. The lighting will be limited and the auditorium is quite large. <<

Any chance that performers will be illuminated with a spotlight? If so, those are fairly intense and you can shoot somewhere around f/4 at 1/30 at ISO400 for anyone in the limelight.

If you do have access to an external flash and if it is a very powerful unit like the Canon 580 or Metz 60, your flash would let you out to about 65' with f/5.6 and ISO400.

I am told that in most performances and performers will be lighted with overhead stage lights and spot lights.

I am still struggling to find f1.8/1.4 lenses that will give me the flexibility to take wide shots and zoomed in shots. Money, of course as always, is an issue but I would like to review any suggested lens. Any lenses that you can point me to?

[tim]

Off the top of my head I don't know of any zooms faster than F2.8. For low light you really need to use primes. Stick with the 50mm F1.8 and zoom with your feet.

[csondagar]

The issue with 'zooming with legs' is that I will already be sitting in the front row, and there is not much space to move forward towards the stage and the stage is pretty high (I thought it was 2-3 feet but it is actually 4-5 feet).

[tim]

Yeah it's always a problem taking photos during a performance rather than the dress rehearsal. Just use that lens and do the best you can, take what else you have in case you can use it. Unless it's going to be a regular thing it's not worth buying new equipment for it.

[csondagar]

Thanks, Tim. I take your advice and have made a decision to try out with my 50mm and zoom lens, if possible. Since I not am not a pro and donot make earnings out of photography (yet) there is no point in spending money on a lens that I may not use frequently.

(But I need to spend money!)

Once I have taken some photos I will post them to get your feedback.