Boston Ballet, Studio Rehearsal...

[rutt]

... 1 March, rehearsal for Grand Slam, opening 16 March. I will shoot the dress rehearsal for this ballet and also La Fille Mal Gardee opening 9 March.

I shot for more than 5 hours and culled down to a about 230 shots and then to these 16. Hope you enjoy!

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58297713-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58298289-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58297051-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58295839-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58297406-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58298708-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58350973-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58394298-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58393554-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58363796-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58347087-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58353117-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58363009-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58392153-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58362940-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/58364175-L.jpg

[DwightMcCann]

Geez, this is so neat on so many levels my mind is reeling! First, the images are marvelous ... what equipment? In five hours I would have shot at least 2000 frames! All available light? What technicals?

Second, shooting so much talent right there in unpretentious costumes where the sweat and grunting are unlimited and the energy is so dynamic must really pump you up. How did you manage such an opportunity? And combined with the dress rehearsals you will have material for a book! I am very anxious to see those shoots!

And finally (I have other things to do!) I am extremely impressed by your versatility in shooting both wide shots with folks suspended in mid-flight as well as tight head shots, all crisp and clean with well considered backgrounds, level, and flattering light. I think this shows quite a high level of maturity or excellent native talent.

In summary: these are exciting and good; what equipment; what technicals; tell us more about what you are about! :-)

[rutt]

In summary: these are exciting and good; what equipment; what technicals; tell us more about what you are about! :-)

Thanks a lot. Appreciation is much appreciated!

Here are some answers to your questions:


My wife has been a ballet dancer almost all her life (but never a pro.) She takes class at Boston Ballet and does volunteer work there and has two subscriptions (I mean two tickets each for two different performances of every ballet.) So over the years, we've gotten to know the company very well. Last fall it occurred to me that I could shoot a dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker. I ended up shooting both dress rehearsals (http://rutt.smugmug.com/gallery/999326) and was invited to shoot a performance (http://rutt.smugmug.com/gallery/1045127). I made an album of the best shots and gave one each to the artistic director and executive director of the ballet, which generated lots of good will. There was an issue because I'm not a member of the right union. I ended up signing a contract with the company; all my profits go to the Dancer's Relief Fund which makes everyone happy. The Boston Phoenix ended up using this shot in an article about Damian Woetzel:

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/48518790-M.jpg

The exif info is available for each shot in this album. (http://rutt.smugmug.com/gallery/1243847) Select a shot and it will show up large on the right. Below the shot you will find a exif link.

In short, I used two bodies: 5D and 1DmkII for this shoot. Most were shot with a zoom lens. I had a 24-70 f/2.8L on the 5D and 70-200 f/2.8L on the 1DmkII. In the dance rehearsal studio, the interesting shots can be just anywhere, so zooms are important. For performances, there is greater and more constant distance to the dancers, so primes at low aperture, particularly 85mm on 5D seem to work well.

A lot of post goes into my best shots. I wrote a description of this on another forum (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=206778&postcount=9). The post for these studio shots is quite different, but the workflow is still very similar. I mostly used Dan Margulis' portrait workflow from his book Photoshop LAB.. I wrote a summary of this (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=22524) if you are interested.


I hope that answers you questions. Again, thanks for the nice compliment.

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks for the update. Nice equipment! I love my 1D Mark II (and IIN). I have found that my 300mm f/2.8 is an amazing lens for Live Performance photography. I have the 400mm f/2.8 in my equipment budget for this year. I will visit your other links.

[rutt]

When I shot the Nutcracker, I found the 70-200 to be too long for me. Ballet is just too dynamic and the stage too big.The 5D seems to have better low light (high ISO) performance, so I've ended up using it a lot more than my iDmkII since I got it. I wish it had the focus system of the 1 series cameras, though.

I might try to use a tele on the 1DmkII for the dress rehearsals and probably the 85mm f/1.2 on the 5D, which worked for the Nutcracker.

[DwightMcCann]

My 85mm f/1.2 autofocuses too slowly for dynamic performers and with such a shallow DOF that is critical so I picked up a f/1.8 also although I have not used it yet ... second hand from Belmondo. I understand that the newly announced f/1.2 is likely a much better performer.

[rutt]

Yeah, mine focuses slowly as well, but it worked for me at The Nutcracker. I think that's because the distances were all pretty long so focus wasn't that critical. Also I kept a focus point on the subject so it was rare for it to have to make a large adjustment.

I'm thinking about that new lens, too. But $$$, eh? And really when you open it up more than f/2 you are playing with fire. The less expensive and smaller f/1.8 might be worth a try.

[DwightMcCann]

I'm thinking about that new lens, too. But $$$, eh? And really when you open it up more than f/2 you are playing with fire. The less expensive and smaller f/1.8 might be worth a try.

Yes, it gets very temperamental above f2!

[jgbeam]

That's a great series of shots. You've captured the spirit of the rehearsal quite well. I can't wait to see the performance photos.

I shoot for a teen dance school and for a community theatre company and find stage photography to be quite challenging. I'm curious to know what your shooting settings are. I use a 1DM2 with a 24-70L and a 300D with a 135/2 and usually shoot Tv at 125 and ride the shutter speed in low light to keep the aperture light from blinking. When the shutter speed starts to drop too low, I bump up the ISO above my preferred 800. I'm frequently checking for highlight clipping and adjusting EC accordingly. I always use AWB, having given up on attempts at controlling WB while shooting. I rarely shoot RAW except for headshots and the big group photo. My end product is a few lobby display prints, some publicity shots for local newspapers, website shots and CD's with lo-rez files for distribution to actors/dancers.

Dwight, I often peek in at your work as well and am amazed at your photos. Your secrets would be welcome too.

Thanks,
Jim

[DwightMcCann]

My secrets are revealed here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1247932#post1247932

[rutt]

The exif info for the photos is available in the galleries. The 5D shoots pretty clean all the way up to ISO 1600, and I don't worry about setting it that high. I usually use AV and keep my eye on the shutter. It's important to set the safety shift thing, PF 16 so that if you hit a bright spot or something, it can stop down (or use a faster shutter in TV mode.)

[DwightMcCann]

Well, there's the problem ... you have spent way too much time with Moley and Moore machines! You know, finite state automata.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wonderfull shots!

Wow I wish I had studio access! Being able to move about.. and LIGHT!
What a novel idea :)

These are really remarkeable.. excellent timing!

[rutt]

My secrets are revealed here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1247932#post1247932

I don't think this link is right. It just takes me to your post in this thread.

[DwightMcCann]

Hmmmm, yes, well, er, ah, um, how about http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81761 ... darn cut & paste does what you tell it and not what you want it to do!

[zenden]

Hey Rutt ,
great captures,
My daughter was in Ballet for 10 years so I am enjoying these images a lot.
You have caught the point and extensions wonderfully.

[saravrose]

just beautiful.. dancers are athletes first. and you've captured that soo beautifully. the 'real' work that goes into the dances is incredible.. what a wonderful oppurtunity. i'm completely impressed....

sari