What would be the best spot for theatre shooting?

If at all possible, I'd suggest that you try to be slightly higher than the surface of the stage.

That way you're not shooting up people's noses/ skirts / whatever, and you get to see people's feet - dancers, especially, like that.

For an amateur group not to have a dress rehearsal with makeup and scenery is very curious. It doesn't bode well for the opening night!

Where possible, I like to be able to wander around a lot, giving me all sorts of options for close-up and wide shots. Some companies are quite happy with this (they'd better get used to dealing with distractions because audiences don't sit stock-still), some are less so (don't put them off, especially the kids - they're having a hard enough time as it is).

My photos live at http://www.stagepics.c​o.uk and http://www.flickr.com …ctions/72157605​174789525/ - feel free to look at them and decide whether to place any credence in my remarks.

regards,
/alan

hennie wrote in post #8005136
It is an amateur performance in a local theatre, so rules are not that strict.
Limiting movement is partly my own choice in order not to cause avoidable distraction.

Dress rehearsal would also have my preference.
There will be a dress rehearsal, but without full make-up.
Since the musical will be Beauty and Beast, the beast will not look as a beast......

As someone who is very involved in amateur theatre, that has to be the most disturbing post I've ever read on the subject!

I am also heavily involved in amateur dramatics Vic - and I agree with you. The rules are every bit as strict as in the professional theatre - and a dress rehearsal without full costume and makeup is unthnkable.

what would be the best spot? my answer is i don't know. there are no best spot for a professional photographer. you must get a perfect shot wherever spot you are. you just must look in different angles and try to follow the movement of the actress and actors.

Hey, I'm thinking we need a UK Amateur theatre sub-group here

regards,
/alan

alan_potter wrote in post #8088559
Hey, I'm thinking we need a UK Amateur theatre sub-group here

regards,
/alan

Bring it on!!

Probably we should take it to http://www.amdram.co.u​k/forums - there are lots of luvvies and a couple of photographers of luvvies hang out there.

regards,
/alan

Hi I've just got back from short holliday, thnx all of you for the great tips.

Last week I made some pictures of other performances in the same theatre and found that use for 24-105 is very limited.

I really have to thank you guys for the tips about the dress rehearsal.
There actually is one next thirsday, the first "real" performance is on friday.
I was asked by the people involved in making flyers and such who were not aware of the full dress rehearsal.

I will be able to shoot on both occasions.
During the dress rehearsal I plan to be shooting mainly from row 6 (slightly above stage) using 135 on 40D and 50 on 350D.
On friday I will be shooting from the front row where I can walk around a bit, 30 on 350D and 100 on 40D.

I will keep you informed.

I take the photos during dress rehearsals. The stages I shoot at are low enough that I can usually shoot right from the front. I've even had a few directors tell me that I could get on the stage and move around if I wanted.

There is no best spot! Move around! I'm on crew for my High School Theatre and have plenty of time to shoot during dress, but I did have to deal with Cats. My advice is to go the dress rehearsal and move, if you can go to two dress rehearsals so that you know what is going on and can prep for a great shot.

I thank you all for your advice.

First I have taken shots at the last dress rehearsal, not all was right yet.
Main "problem" at dress rehearsal was they used white patches to attach the wires for the microphones.
Being able to freely move around during rehearsal was such a convenience that undoubtly it is the best time.

During the actual performances I shot from the first row, the forth row, side of the stage and halfway the auditorium.
When close to the stage I had to get around speakers and lamps placed on the stage.
The variation in the spot from where to take the shot created nice variations in the shots.

My 100/F2 and 135/F2 got me the best pictures, but in the end even the 70-300 IS showed usefull.

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Looks good! But white tape?! Are they serious?

White tape only at rehearsal.
At the performance they used colored tape.

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