Shooting an 'Open mic' show

[karusel]

This will be a payable assignment for me, but I've never done this before, although I did something similar, except that the place was a hall and this club it'll be in is pretty small and will be probably crowded.

There will be around 30 contestants performing for ~2 minutes each, they need at least one good shot of each one of them.

My gear: 10D w/ 550EX, difusor, Tamron 17-35, Tamron 28-75, Canon 50 1.8, 35L and 85L. I'd love to use the 35L and especially the 85L, but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to stick with 17-35, since it probably doesn't make too much sense to switch lenses all the time, right? Except of course I get another body somehow.

Now, could you give me some general tips? I don't want to mess anything...

[René Damkot]

Tip one: Have a look in the performance arts section. There is a FAQ as well.
17-35 is a bit on the wide side if it's one guy on stage each time.
2 minutes is short if light is inconsistent, or you want variation in viewpoint.

I think (if subjects are stationary) I'd use the 50/1.8 (beware of focus) or 85L. If light is good, the 28-75 would be quite usable I think.

A lot depends on how much space you have, and where you'll be.
If you are very close to othe stage, the 17-35 might be the only choice, but that might give you some pretty 'up the nose' shots...

I shot a comedian a while back (Click (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/070215Stukafest/)). The 'wider' shots are 50/1.4, the rest is 80-200L (On a 1D2, exif is there)

[Biko]

I would get there early and see if you can check the lighting set up and see how they are using the lighting, if its constant will be easier to set camera up initially. Check where they will allow you to stand and this should give you an idea of which lens to use from the start as 2 mins is short.

Shoot RAW easier to adjust WB etc, I would use camera on M, have whichever lens on widest and adjust speed to what you can get away with handheld, adjusting ISO to the available light. If high ISO use neatimage or other to reduce noise. I would use centre spot focus and if you have, take off any UV filters on lenses. If there is a wall or pillar to lean on I would be looking to use it to help steady me.

I would fire a burst of shots as will help when shooting at lower shutter speed to smooth out any movement you make.

If it was me going to this venue and not knowing what to expect I would be making sure the 85L was packed.

[PhotosGuy]

Q & A: Dwight McCann (Event Photography) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81761)

Concert Photography Tips: A FAQ Perhaps (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=226809)

[karusel]

Thanx guys, helpful tips and links! :)

Biko, I always shoot RAW as I don't want to spend time adjusting WB at the scene, plus it's useful if the image comes out under or even overexposed...

As I've heard, the lighting won't be anything near fancy, so I hope the images won't turn out too dull.

I'll post some shots here when I'm done. ;)

[karusel]

My client informed me, the photos are likely to be in a pretty popular newspaper(s) and they better be good or else! That's pretty much the reason she is willing to pay good money.

Now I'm concerned about my too-old 10D... YOu know how we all say, better to upgrade lenses than camera? Well, my lenses are very weLL, thank you, but the camera.... I'm not sure if I'll dare to shoot above ISO 400.... Christ allmighty, where will I get the light? I don't want too much flash... :cry: If I screw this up, uh... I don't want to think. SOmeone reassure me now!!!

[cookielida]

Hey Karuel!
I am new here, but be assured, that even the noise will be very high, use Noise ninja or neatimage to clean the photos up a bit.
I have recently shot a stage performance at ZERO lighting conditions, and I mean, ZERO (!). Take a look here (www.topshutter.blogspot.com), and see the last post - just for your understanding, I had to use ISO 3200 and underexpose for 2 stops to get a shot at a reasonable shutter speed...check the exif!
Chen

[René Damkot]

Now I'm concerned about my too-old 10D... YOu know how we all say, better to upgrade lenses than camera? Well, my lenses are very weLL, thank you, but the camera.... I'm not sure if I'll dare to shoot above ISO 400.... Christ allmighty, where will I get the light? I don't want too much flash... :cry: If I screw this up, uh... I don't want to think. SOmeone reassure me now!!!

I've shot with ISO 1600 on the 10D a *lot*. No problem.
Better to have a noisey image that is sharp, then a noise free blurry image...
If you are very concerned about noise, have a look at Noiseware (http://www.noiseware.com/).

I have recently shot a stage performance at ZERO lighting conditions, and I mean, ZERO (!). Take a look here (www.topshutter.blogspot.com), and see the last post - just for your understanding, I had to use ISO 3200 and underexpose for 2 stops to get a shot at a reasonable shutter speed...check the exif!
Chen

No exif there...
Then again, I see f/4. Why f/4?
Here (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0010.htm) is one of mine: 1/6s; f/1.8; ISO 3200 ;)

[cookielida]

I've shot with ISO 1600 on the 10D a *lot*. No problem.
Better to have a noisey image that is sharp, then a noise free blurry image...
If you are very concerned about noise, have a look at Noiseware (http://www.noiseware.com/).



No exif there...
Then again, I see f/4. Why f/4?
Here (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0010.htm) is one of mine: 1/6s; f/1.8; ISO 3200 ;)

Well, you need to download the picture and then look at the exif...
;)
F/4 coz I shot this one with the 17-40, the only wide angle I have...I shot it in manual mode, something like 2 f stops under correct exposure @ 1/5 sec...you can now appreciate how dark it was...
About your shot - well, I guess that you had the exposure right, so you hadn't had enhanced the S/N ratio, something I had to do...
Even so, quite an impressive sharpness for a 1/6 @ 32mm equivalent...

[karusel]

Well, it was a disaster.

Good to crappy ratio was pretty far from excellent.

I can blame the club lighting, because seriously, the colored spotlights have burned out specific color channels, very crude light, very crude. Also, this wasn't very obvious from the preview... It was a mistake I didn't use more flash - sure the photos would've been more boring and with less atmosphere, but they'd be printable at least...

OK, not all of them turned out bad... I'm just developing them, I'll post some in the photo sharing section hopefully in the evening and I'll post a link here for those interested...

I switched between 35L, 17-35 and 85L. Given that there were 19 performers with 2 minutes each and a short pause in between them I can say it was incredibly exhausting. They'd need two photographers, period.

[karusel]

Update!

Here's the link to the thread with some pics: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=3219333#post3219333

[Biko]

First one is a great shot and if you have the majority of the acts like that I reckon you done a good job. ISO 800 looks fine.

Can see by other shots that the venue is not easy - distracting background and poor lighting.