Tips for first time flash photography of stage performance?

Next weekend I will be taking 'official' photographys for our community organised performance event. The event is huge: 3 hours long with 17 different performance items and over 800 audience.

Last year I took photos for the same event, and photos came out very dark - mostly took at 800ISO f5.6 1/100. This, as expected produced, grainy photos which I had to cleanup - time consuming.

This year I am thinking of getting 430EX/580EX flash and use it. The only challenge is that I have never used external flash. Would I be ok if I use the flash in AUTO mode, and not worry about learning it for this event?

Any tips / suggestions is appreciated.

BIG TIP - DONT USE A FLASH. - If I were one of the 800 people paying to be there I would be seriously pi$$ed if a flash kept, popping.

I shoot stage stuff at 800 and 1600 but at 1.4 and 2.8 and after running it thru noise ninja the pictures are fantastic.

This pic was taken at 200mm F2.8 ISO 800 and has NOT been put thru noise ninja as I just found out its stopped working tonight, so have some work to do......

Dont use a flash, it will really anoy lots of people and loose you work !

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I appreciate that flashes can be annoying. However, I don't I will have any issues as many parent bring cameras to take their kids photos. Also, I will be provided with front row seats, which mostly are not occupied due to large speakers.

Last year I used my camera pop up flash which just was not up to the job.

Also, I donot have any fast lens with good some. Only have EF 75-300mm 4-5.6 III USM.

Flash, IMHO, has the disadvantage of neutralizing the ambience of stage performance lighting. I much prefer shooting ambient light photos, which is usually plenty strong enough!

A Canon 580EX, if used at ISO400 setting of the camera, has a Guide Number of 380 (in the 105mm lens position) That permit shooting at f/5.6 at distances to 67'. But this Guide Number assumes normal room reflectivity (ceilings, walls) so if you are shooting in an auditorium this probably will be a bit underexposed.

Are you sure flash photography will be OK?

The last performance I shot it was made perfectly clear flash was not permitted and they were serious. I saw several people given the option to stop or leave.

Besides, as others have said, it will ruin the ambient lighting of the picture. If thats OK then why not just shoot a rehearsal?

I agree with the others, flash will kill the feel of the show lights.

A 580 is nice to have but if i were you i would spend the money on a faster lens. A 50mm f1.8 is very cheap and will give you some nice results.

Since this is a community organised event our main focus is on the actual performances (dances, dramas, story telling, singing, ets). We donot have the expertise or resources for any stage lighting (other then switching some lights on and off); we donot have access to colored or specialised lighting equipment.

I have posted some of the photos from last year: http://personal.sondag​ar.com/Diwali2005/

From your posts and reviewing last photos again I thinkg I am becoming convinienced that a flash may not be really required; a faster lens may provide me with better results.

csondagar wrote in post #2096957
Since this is a community organised event our main focus is on the actual performances (dances, dramas, story telling, singing, ets). We donot have the expertise or resources for any stage lighting (other then switching some lights on and off); we donot have access to colored or specialised lighting equipment.

I have posted some of the photos from last year: http://personal.sondag​ar.com/Diwali2005/

From your posts and reviewing last photos again I thinkg I am becoming convinienced that a flash may not be really required; a faster lens may provide me with better results.

You now paint a very different picture! Without stage lighting or spot lights, you may well be faced with quite dim (from a photographic perspective) lights! I think everyone who has posted on the topic of ambient light shooting was not expecting something without colored lights and spotlights.

Well, I experimented with the flash stage photography. Used 580EX with my Canon 300D 18-55MM kit lens. Since I was in the first row the 50mm lens felt as if it just did not have sufficient reach. So I resorted to my comfort lens.

All these photos have gone through PP: crop, straightening, noise removal, levels and sharpening.

I am pleased with the results of my first time photos. However, I would love to hear from everyone where I can improve further.

You can see sample of the photos here: http://www.sondagar.co​m …3/thumbnails.ph​p?album=22

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Hi Chetan,

Thanks for sharing the photos. I just got into photography. However, I am really serious about it.

I too am currently using my kit lens on a 350d (Rebel xt). I have used it for stage shows with my 430ex sppedlite. Your pics were a big help to me in learning more about the limits of my kit lens.

I know I have to get a better wide angle lens-soon.

I noticed you didn't take any shots in the potrait orientation. Some of the single person shots would have come out better that way IMHO.

Thanks once again.

All the best!

-Sam

If you are serious about shooting performances head over to the performing arts section http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=81check out the Concert Photography FAQs, have a cruise around and look at some of the others work and don't be afraid to post yours for some constructive criticism and tips.

csondagar wrote in post #2185734
Well, I experimented with the flash stage photography. Used 580EX with my Canon 300D 18-55MM kit lens. Since I was in the first row the 50mm lens felt as if it just did not have sufficient reach. So I resorted to my comfort lens.

I thought you said you were the "official photographer" for the event. It seems rather strange that you are in a seat - generally you can't be expected to take professional looking shots tied to one spot (unless you shoot from somewhere like a sound boad with a tripod and a 300mm f2.8 lens) you need to get up and move - get the right angles; get in close with the gear you have - your 50mm f1.4 is an awesome lens for performance photography but not when you are tied to a seat.

I think its time to get a 50mm f/1.8 for $80 and see if you can use that without flash. Thats like 2-3 stops faster - a HUGE difference. If you get a flash, get it as soon as possible and PRACTICE. You DONT want the maiden voyage to be a job...lol! Read some books, articles, or threads about flash technique. Put those techniques to use... say 200-500 shots and THEN go to the event. Heck, if you can get into the venue days before the event starts you will have a golden opportunity to become famliar with how flash will work in that particular space. Lots of places like this have very high ceilings or colored walls which makes bounce flash more difficult.

blackshadow wrote in post #2199244
I thought you said you were the "official photographer" for the event. It seems rather strange that you are in a seat - generally you can't be expected to take professional looking shots tied to one spot...

The reason why I was tied to one seat is because the auditorium is designed in such a way that there is no room for other people to move around not be seen by the audience; as well, below stage there are rows of seats which were sold so moving around in front of the audience I would have attracted a few bottles, tomatoes, rotten eggs from behind! I sure would liked to have moved around. Anyway, it was a great opportunity for me, and the community members and performers are please with the results.

Next year, I will be more prepared and will aim to improve my skills.

sirsloop wrote in post #2200062
I think its time to get a 50mm f/1.8 for $80 and see if you can use that without flash. Thats like 2-3 stops faster - a HUGE difference. If you get a flash, get it as soon as possible and PRACTICE. You DONT want the maiden voyage to be a job...lol! Read some books, articles, or threads about flash technique. Put those techniques to use... say 200-500 shots and THEN go to the event. Heck, if you can get into the venue days before the event starts you will have a golden opportunity to become famliar with how flash will work in that particular space. Lots of places like this have very high ceilings or colored walls which makes bounce flash more difficult.

I tried out my 50mm 1.8 and it was great for the limited light I had to deal with. However, I was really missing the zoom and wide angle. So I reverted to my kit lens.

samword wrote in post #2199077
Hi Chetan,

Thanks for sharing the photos. I just got into photography. However, I am really serious about it.

I too am currently using my kit lens on a 350d (Rebel xt). I have used it for stage shows with my 430ex sppedlite. Your pics were a big help to me in learning more about the limits of my kit lens.

I know I have to get a better wide angle lens-soon.

I noticed you didn't take any shots in the potrait orientation. Some of the single person shots would have come out better that way IMHO.

Thanks once again.

All the best!

-Sam

Glad that my photos were of some help. Keep in mind that I am a novice and still have a long way to go.

I was thinking the same thing: I only realised that I missed taking the portraits once I sat to view all the photos on the computer. I kicked myself! I should have taken some portrait; well this will be the learning objective for the next year. BTW, some portraits were by way crop.

I welcome more comments/critiques on my photos. It is great to be part of this forum as I am learning tons! Thank you all very much.

Hiya - I do some stage shots for a local youth theatre.

A tip for next year's performance - try and do all your shooting during dress rehersal - that way you can move freely to take the shots you need to.

We do a really quick run through of the play just for photos - the director freezes the cast at various stages along the way that they need shots of - this also means we can tweek the lighting a little bit to siut the photo.

Just an idea that might help!

Cheers
Naomi