Shooting my first event this weekend, couple questions

What's this f-stop thing? I notice if I make it a really big number my pictures are all blurry, and if I make it a really small number then only parts of my pictures are blurry. What's that about?

Really though, I'm shooting a performance a couple of my friends are in. There's no money involved (except the fact that I get in without paying the $5 admission fee), so professionally speaking it's not a whole lot of responsibility.

I know how to use my equipment (though I'm probably going to be sticking to my 85 1.8 since my next best bet is my tamron 28-75, and I don't know if f/2.8 will cut it), and I know generally how the performance goes, but I'm getting some nerves about this being my first...gig kinda thing. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

fatcat are you serious "what's this f-stop thing" lol have you taken the camera out of the box lol read about the f-stop thing. your in for a hell of a night or you can use your 1.8 and put your camera on P mode. lol lol lol dude i had a real bad day at work bossman was in my a$$ all day you gave me the best laugh with your question. yes i would use the 1.8 and put it in AV mode

Assuming that you're serious... Virtual Camera

Haha the f-stop question was indeed a joke.

Like I said, from the technical side I think I'm okay, it's just the artistic side I'm not entirely comfortable with I think. But again, this is just for some friends, and they weren't going to have a photographer at all so I'm really just a bonus.

Hmm, I have backstage access, but I've been wondering if that would actually be detrimental to picture taking? And I'm going to two performances, should I do one shoot from back stage and one from the audience?

The two places I've found to be "best" are either the front row if there is enough distance to the stage AND the stage isn't too elevated off the ground.

The other place is in the back so you can shoot over all the heads, but it doesn't sound like you have long enough fast glass for that. I use a 70-200/2.8 or 120-300/2.8 depending on the stage distance.

Assuming its "typical" stage lighting you will probably be pushing ISO3200 and up to keep your shutter speed near 1/200 to avoid excessive motion blur.

Make sure you set your WB to incandescent, gelled stage lighting can really mess with AWB.

Good luck, and post up a couple when you're done.

I thought the op was serious so Im glad to hear it was a joke. I would get a few backstage pics of getting ready for the performance, Just some candids but Id definitely get all my stage photos from the audience side

I think the OP was cleverly making fun of those who have owned a DSLR for 20 minutes, inexplicably land an expensive wedding gig two days from now, and then post something here on POTN to the effect of "oh noes! How do I blur the background? Can I shoot group formals with this 70-200 f/2.8L IS I found on Craigslist for $150? Will I have enough light for the kit lens to shoot a candlelight wedding in a spelunking cave? What's that green square on that top dial thingie for?

lol

Thanks for calling me clever Todd =) I'm planning on getting there before the doors open so I should be able to pick my seating with impunity. The only real advantage I can think of to being back stage is the mobility. If I pick a seat I'm not going to move around and disturb the viewers, but if I'm back stage I can move around however much I want (within the limits of still being back stage of course). Is not being able to move from your seat too big of a deal?

It can be if the artist likes to eat the mike.
For guitar players, the left half of the seats are usually the best.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #9886912
It can be if the artist likes to eat the mike.
For guitar players, the left half of the seats are usually the best.

Thanks for the tip, sorry I didn't mention it but it was an Asian culture variety show, and it was awesome. Both the show itself and getting to photograph it.

I ended up staying back stage the first night and in the audience this afternoon. It was a really great time, and I'll have pictures up once I go through them all =)