Drama Performances

[Jack Miller]

This is my first attempt at photographing a drama event. I have some additional shots on http://www.jackmiller.phanfare.com/album/96994/116426 (http://www.jackmiller.phanfare.com/album/96994/116426) . I photographed from the side balconies without a flash from a distance of about 80 feet or so. For most if not all of these shots, I used my 70-200 f/2.8L wide open, mainly at 800 and 1600 with Av. Any comments and suggestions on the photos would be appreciated.

I have signed up to take photos of all of the major drama performances at my daughter's high school this year and will have access to the dress rehearsals. Is there any advice that you can lend me or resources you can point me to that will help me do a better job in shooting this genre? In particular:

What settings do you typically shoot - ISO, shutter, aperture, Av, Tv or Manual?
When do you meter and select white balancing (considering that lighting changes during the show)
Do you shoot RAW or JPEG or both?
Where do you typically position yourself (during rehearsals and during live show – if you shoot live shows).
Any other advice you can lend?Thanks!

[johnstoy]

At 80 feet in the dark, it's tough at f/2.8...the IS helps...glad you posted some of the lens specs for these shots....I'll be shooting tonite at a venue and am limited to a 50mm 1.4 lens, from 37 feet away....I'll be spot focusing and pushing the ISO too...Keep posting your progress.....

John

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 not USM kit stock, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several tripods, mono pod, no flash yet, dozens of filters/close up lenses.

[alan_potter]

I like the pictures you posted here; I haven't had a chance to look at your website. I too am learning, but have a few thoughts:

1. White balance can be a real pain. Check with the director about the use of flash - some can be quite happy for flash to be used at dress rehearsals. If you are allowed, a setting of -2EV on an external flash can help overcome the worst excesses of the lighting designer, while still allowing the picture to look as if captured using available light.

2. I capture in RAW + JPG. This allows me to put the JPGs straight onto a CD/DVD and give that to the company to use then and there (eg for pictures in the foyer), and lets me take time to postprocess a selected few RAW files to give a finished result later.

3. At a dress rehearsal, I try to move around if the director lets me. Failing that, I guess the "safe" place is dead centre, a few rows back from the stage.

regards,
/alan

[Jack Miller]

Alan and John,

Thanks for your comments. This is helpful.

Jack