Ballet photos

[Sayer]

I've had the opportunity to take photos of a local ballet outfit in recent months. This was very different from my usual wildlife photography. Thought I'd share a few of the photos and suggest that if you have the opportunity ballet can be a challenge and also a rewarding photo experience.

All taken with the Rebel XT.

http://k43.pbase.com/o6/34/564334/1/79443452.fZ8hFYXA.20070519ballet04ccomp.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/79443469/original.jpg

http://k41.pbase.com/o6/34/564334/1/79443536.Eow5FuGq.20070519ballet39comp.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/76244368/original.jpg

http://k53.pbase.com/o6/34/564334/1/76244304.oSkENpVG.20070324ballet17comp.jpg


There are more photos from these two ballet shoots here:
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/manassas_dance_company

[Palladium]

Great Series

#1
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Image Date: 2007:05:19 18:37:42
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 135.0mm
CCD Width: 4.10mm
Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.2
ISO equiv: 800
Exposure Bias: -0.33
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)


#2
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Image Date: 2007:05:20 15:50:27
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 200.0mm
CCD Width: 3.42mm
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO equiv: 800
Exposure Bias: -1.00
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)


#3
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Image Date: 2007:03:24 18:27:04
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 130.0mm
CCD Width: 4.03mm
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO equiv: 800
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[CyberDyneSystems]

These are exceptionally well timed and well exposed for difficult shooting situation!
Excellent work!

[InspiredGraphix]

1/250th f3.5 ISO800 is difficult? (even the hardest of the three 1/250th f2.8 i would consider good light for this type of thing).

Nice pics though.

1st, shame about his foot being chopped.
2nd is a little random for me.
3rd is spot on!

Well done.

Rob

[Sayer]

Yes, the lighting conditions varied greatly from minute to minute, many shots were 1/80 f/2 at 1600. They are the worst looking of course, so I wouldn't post them.

I was bummed that her foot got cutoff. I find it to be a bit of a trade-off, you can use a wider angle or stand further back and not get as much detail and the dancers are smaller in the frame, or you can user a longer focal length or get closer and risk the dancers suddenly jumping out of the frame. The second option makes it a lot more challenging and keeps you on your toes. :)

1/250th f3.5 ISO800 is difficult? (even the hardest of the three 1/250th f2.8 i would consider good light for this type of thing).

Nice pics though.

1st, shame about his foot being chopped.
2nd is a little random for me.
3rd is spot on!

Well done.

Rob

[Sayer]

Thanks for that!

I just fixed the two broken links, in case anyone is wondering why there are five photos instead of three.


These are exceptionally well timed and well exposed for difficult shooting situation!
Excellent work!

[superdiver]

Amazing light for a stage with no flash! Good job! Way to take advantage of decent light. These are typically NOT this good!

On our little local stage if you use f2.8 you need at least ISO 3200 and hope to get a ss of 1/160 at best...!

[zippy25]

Very nice series. Your timing is great on the leaping shots- I especially like 1 and 3. The composition of #2 is incredible.

[DwightMcCann]

It would be nice to know the company, ballet & venue, preferably in the title. These are very nice and it's a pity the hand was clipped in #1 ... but having shot 140 dances over three days this spring I appreciate how very difficult it is, particularly if you aren't intimately familiar with the dance (which I wasn't.)

[Sayer]

Thanks Dwight.... yes, these were the first ballets I've ever attended, so I had no idea what to expect next.

I see you shoot with the 1D MK II series. I just got one and look forward to shooting a ballet with it. It should have less noise and better autofocus than the XT that I've been using.

I have a link to the web site of the dance company on my pbase gallery page. I know the people who operate the dance company and own their studio.


It would be nice to know the company, ballet & venue, preferably in the title. These are very nice and it's a pity the hand was clipped in #1 ... but having shot 140 dances over three days this spring I appreciate how very difficult it is, particularly if you aren't intimately familiar with the dance (which I wasn't.)

[Sayer]

Thanks David!

Very nice series. Your timing is great on the leaping shots- I especially like 1 and 3. The composition of #2 is incredible.

[Curtis N]

Excellent work! I would be proud of any of these.

[René Damkot]

Very good timing!
Last three are best IMO.

[livewire-photography.com]

1 is a stunner IMHO.

Really nice set.

[skifurthur]

I really enjoy photos 4 and 5. Excellent captures, composition and action.

As an aside, it was easier to critique the dancers than the photos. That's what I get for living with that ballerina for 7 years...she was merciless!

[Grey56]

Wow. Just wow. My little sister danced most of her growing-up years, but stopped in college. You make their dancing look easy! These are fantastic. The company is lucky to have you. Looking forward to many more. Thanks very much for sharing. Lovely.

[Borderfox]

Beautiful shots very well done

[Valerie S]

All are very nicely done. I like the touch of motion blur in #s 3 & 5.

[Sayer]

Big thanks to everyone for looking at and commenting on the ballet photos. I really appreciate it.