Disney Themed Burlesque (Possibly NSFW)

[Tee Why]

Been shooting at a local weekly Burlesque show. I just shoot in manual ISO about 1000 and fairly wide open with a prime it's about f2.2, with a zoom a bit more like f2.8 or a bit more but with a higher ISO to keep shutter speeds about 1/30 or 1/60 or so. As long as you expose only for the bright spots, the shadows will generally go black which is fine.

I started to use AI Servo/continuous focus and less center and more to the top of the viewfinder where the head is gonna be so I can keep their face in focus as they move about. I'm using LR 3 beta 2 which is very versatile and powerful but recently looking at the same RAW files with Canon's DPP seems to show DPP giving much better colors, more details, and sharper image. If only DPP had more features, especially like local adjustments that LR has.

I'm finding that stopping a touch down on the primes to like f2.2 gives a very sharp image, where as zooms (Tamron 28-75) at f2.8 is no where as sharp and even stopped down to f3.2 or so, it's not as sharp. Maybe b/c when stopping down, I'm at ISO 1600 and the shutter speed is even slower.

Anyway, here are some shots from the Disney Themed show.
1. Mulan
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/photos/844311521_hnLoL-L.jpg

2.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/photos/822215503_HfDLi-L.jpg

3. Sword play.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/photos/844309990_c9Bby-L.jpg

4.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/photos/844312321_LnPqa-L.jpg

5. Pirate of the Caribbean. Plundered booty as she claims.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/photos/822214431_HnxTe-L.jpg

6. A nymph.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/844297976_DvGw4-L.jpg

7. Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/844303874_yT9zK-L.jpg

8.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/844301614_KDcCh-L.jpg

[DwightMcCann]

Well, there are some "features" in LR 2 using Canon Profiles that vastly improve the color rendition that you may not be using. Rene is the usual expert. What body (there is no EXIF.)

It does seem like you are shooting from a single place ... makes the series a bit stilted. Other than that they seem technically good.

[Tee Why]

LR 3 Beta 2 has those Canon picture style profiles. I think LR 3 Beta 1 didn't. I used Adobe STD. Colors are thrown off by the lights that they used, but I may have to see if changing profiles makes a difference.

You dirty you, no downloading and copyright infringing now. :)
This was with my 5D and IIRC Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 zoom. Yea, I was stuck in one chair in a packed place.

[DwightMcCann]

The profiles I'm talking about are Canon camera model specific. And all my infringement is Fair Use!

[Tee Why]

Do you have a link to that profile?
I'd like to have that.
BTW I have a gallery of shots here.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/People/Burlesque-Show/11242123_GrcjK#788453247_BA6CW

[DwightMcCann]

Do you have a link to that profile?
I'd like to have that.
BTW I have a gallery of shots here.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/People/Burlesque-Show/11242123_GrcjK#788453247_BA6CW
The profiles come with LR ... I think they are integrated. I don't have LR here at work so I can't tell you where to find them in Develop, but you can get them to automatically apply during import which is what I do using a preset. Again, I'd guess Rene would know off the top of his head.

[René Damkot]

but I may have to see if changing profiles makes a difference.

It will...
See the first two screenshots here: http://www.getcolormanaged.com/color-management/problems/rawconverters/

In "Develop": Cmd+7 (Ctrl+7?)

LR3 should be loads better then LR2, specially regarding sharpness / noise.
Since I'm still on a PPC mac, I haven't had the chance to thoroughly test LR3 (only seen it on a friends MBP) but from what I've seen, it's way better.