Rainbow Dance - Kansas City - 56k warning

[tucked]

My daughter recently competed in the Rainbow Dance competition in KC, MO. My main area of photography is dance competitions/recital... as it is just a hobby for me. In the last dance competition, SEE HERE (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=149748&highlight=dupree), there was no raised stage, and HORRIBLE lighting. Not even 1 flood light aimed towards the stage. I was forced to use only my 85mm f/1.8 and could not get a chance to use my new 70-200mm f/2.8. Here, we had a nice raised stage and a row of lights aimed towards the dancers from the front. It made for some interesting lighting situations on part of the stage (not nearly enough light) and other areas having too much. In a couple of the photos, I had some really strange color casts... Here are a few of my favorites.

#1 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0076_filtered_4x6.jpg

#2 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0087_filtered_4x6.jpg

#3 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (My Daughter)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0107_filtered_4x6.jpg

#4 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0116_filtered_4x6.jpg

#5 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0138_filtered_4x6.jpg

#6 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (My daughter on right.... This was one of my favorite photos, but the green cast annoys me! Reflection off of all the green boots on stage?)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0186_filtered_4x6.jpg

#7 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (My Daughter)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0194_filtered_4x6.jpg

#8 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (Darn speaker in the way!)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0205_filtered_4x6.jpg

#9 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (My daughter on left)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0245_filtered_4x6.jpg

#10 ISO 1600 - F/5.0 - 1/320th - 300d & Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/IMG_0274_filtered_4x6.jpg

My daughter was in 5 dances overall... and received three 1st Place awards and two High 1st Place awards. Next up... recital... another dark shooting adventure... time to break out the 85mm again!

For those of you wondering, why F/5 and 1600 ISO... Not only is the lens sharper at f/5 than f/2.8... I needed some DOF. to increase my sucess rate... I just shot some softball at night, and used f/2.8 and I am perfectly happy with the lens performance at f/2.8 (for those of you Sigma bashers out there:D) Noiseware Standard Edition was used to help control the ISO Noise.

More photos from this competition are posted here. (http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/tucked/Rainbow%20Kansas%20City/?start=all)

[DwightMcCann]

Well, do I hear a little pride mixed in with this photography? :-) I just called my four year old daughter to come look these. She has wanted to start ballet lessons for a year but she will not be old enough for here until the Fall, although we hope to get her to a summer camp for one week. It is not that we think she has any talent in this area but her own interest! These images are great! I cannot think of a thing to improve except for cutting off a face. The color and lighting seem just right and I agree about the f/5 when you have multiple subjects.

[tucked]

Well, do I hear a little pride mixed in with this photography? :-) I just called my four year old daughter to come look these. She has wanted to start ballet lessons for a year but she will not be old enough for here until the Fall, although we hope to get he to a summer camp for one week. It is not that we think she has any talent in this area but her own interest! These images are great! I cannot think of a thing to improve except for cutting off a face. The color and lighting seem just right and I agree about the f/5 when you have multiple subjects.
Dwight, Thanks again for your wonderful comments. Pride? You betcha!!!! I admit that I follow your posts and comments faithfully here. It is a great feeling to hear good things from a photographer of your caliber... and also a great feeling to know that you take the time to offer suggestions to help others improve. I can look back at photos I have taken and posted here... used your advice, and gotten better with each shoot.

As far as your daughter... I cannot wait to see some dance pictures of her when you post them. After 4 years of dance now... It is amazing how far mine has come and how much joy it brings to her mother and me to see her dancing.

[DwightMcCann]

Dwight, Thanks again for your wonderful comments. Pride? You betcha!!!! I admit that I follow your posts and comments faithfully here. It is a great feeling to hear good things from a photographer of your caliber... and also a great feeling to know that you take the time to offer suggestions to help others improve. I can look back at photos I have taken and posted here... used your advice, and gotten better with each shoot.

As far as your daughter... I cannot wait to see some dance pictures of her when you post them. After 4 years of dance now... It is amazing how far mine has come and how much joy it brings to her mother and me to see her dancing.
Hehehe, thanks! Lately I seem to keep sticking my foot in my mouth offering comments and having them taken in totally unexpected negative ways, sigh. I either get deleted by moderators or lashed by posters ... I guess that many here just want praise rather than improvement. Sorry to vent in your thread, sigh. Am glad something I said helped you.

I have just uploaded the Mariachi Divas for your listening pleasure at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=169814 so when you get minute come and look. :-)

[tucked]

Hehehe, thanks! Lately I seem to keep sticking my foot in my mouth offering comments and having them taken in totally unexpected negative ways, sigh. I either get deleted by moderators or lashed by posters ... I guess that many here just want praise rather than improvement. Sorry to vent in your thread, sigh. Am glad something I said helped you.

I have just uploaded the Mariachi Divas for your listening pleasure at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=169814 so when you get minute come and look. :-)

Don't worry about the lashings... as you said, some only want praise... and the reason I like it here so much is that it is about improvement!

As far as the Divas... was just there minutes before this posting... awesome job with some very beautiful ladies. Also just checked out your most recent tennis posting... as my daughter will soon be starting a USTA Junior Tennis league this summer. Not sure where to start in trying to get some good photos there... but AT LEAST THERE WILL BE LIGHT!!!!

[DwightMcCann]

I shot women's tennis at UCSB for six years. Having light will be the least of your issues! You will be amazed at all the quirks in expression and body/form when under pressure and "going flat out" ... I had constant complaints from the girls about how they looked so I finally just stopped! The men are much better subjects but now I don't have time for it. Anyway, as a parent they shouldn't allow you on the courts but that is the best place from which to shoot. When you go to shoot see if you can talk to the coach and officials to see what is allowed and appropriate. And try to remember, it is your daughter's thing and you are just along for the ride. :-)

[DwightMcCann]

David, my daughter just walked into my office and requested to see these images again ... I showed her last night as I mentioned. She just Ooooo's and Aaaaaah's! :-)