Dance Recital Flash or No Flash?

I am using my 40D and my 24-70 2.8. Should I use flash if so should I bounce?
Any other tips for shooting modes?
Last year I used same equipment with no flash, just stage lights. Shots were pretty good I guess but for the shots that had a lot of action my shutter speed wasn't high enough I guess and they were blury.
Any tips or suggestions would be great. Thank you!

First, you should find out if using a flash is allowed...some venues prohibit the use of flash. Also, remember to increase your ISO setting to obtain a faster shutter speed if need be.

britt777 wrote in post #5677674
Should I use flash if so should I bounce?

What is the venue like?

What would you bounce the flash off of?

How far away is/are the surface(s) for bouncing?

What is the distance from the camera to the subject(s)?

Can you use a tripod?

I can us flash for the rehersal night.
I can stand right at the end of the stage.
Ceiling is about 25' maybe less.
I am about 15' or less from subjects
I am using monopod

A image or two from last year would help?

here Is photo from last year

I would suggest that you add flash as a fill, not to overpower the house lights.

I would probably use my 420EX with my LumiQuest Promax System (set up with the 80/20 and the white reflector panel) with the flash on a bracket to get it higher above the camera. Getting the source of the light (the reflector panel in the 80/20) higher above the camera will minimize red-eye.

I would not try to bounce of whatever ceiling is there. If you look at last year's shot, there are too many shadows already from overhead lighting. By using the flash as a fill (with the light coming from the general direction of the camera), you can reduce those shadows.

High ISO, fast lens. If you use flash, be sure to gel it to match the color temperature of the stage lighting (CTO filter).
Set tungsten WB, shoot Raw.

Not sure what you mean by the 80/20?

britt777 wrote in post #5678019
Not sure what you mean by the 80/20?

Check out this link to LumiQuest's site. The 80/20 is the basis for the Promax System and is the bottom center item in their image. That can be used alone if there's a white ceiling to bounce off of, or one can put any of the three reflector panels into the 80/20.

This link to the 80/20 itself has a photo of the 80/20 that may be easier to understand.

Great info, thank you. I will have to read more about those. I have never heard of those before.

Any other tips for how to use flash and or camera and ISO settings?

I use my 5D and 70-200 2.8 IS without a flash for all the events indoors when kids are moving around. I think any flash can distract them. I set the 5D to 1600 and speed around 1/160 o r 1/200 and see what happens. But the 5D is amazing in low light. The diffusers are good, I use them also if I can bounce. Mostly, for kids, they look better without flash lighting.

britt777 wrote in post #5678638
Any other tips for how to use flash and or camera and ISO settings?

Here is a good site: Click
Not really specific to performing arts, but the basics do apply.

Thank you for all the tips. I got some real good pictures. Will post after I have time to edit