Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
How to take phtographs of a stage show? 
Author Message
I haven't seen my friends in so long
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:35 pm
Posts: 6580
Location: Getting there
Reply with quote
My brother is performing tomorrow in a musical as part of a week's summer camp thing.

I wanted to take my camera along to take some photos but I'm not sure how to go about it in potentially low light with a fair bit of movement and no flash allowed.

I have the choice of 3 lenses...

My stock 18 - 75mm lens.
A 28 - 150 something mm lens (which is my preferred every day lens).
or a telephoto lens (goes up to 300mm).

Any tips or links or advice is welcome.

Thanks

_________________
Oliver Foggin - iPhone Dev

JJW009 wrote:
The count will go up until they stop counting. That's the way counting works.


Doodle Sub!
Game Of Life

Image Image


Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:47 am
Profile WWW
Moderator

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:13 pm
Posts: 7262
Location: Here, but not all there.
Reply with quote
Whichever lens has the widest aperture, for starters.

Don't use a zoom because most of the ones you note will close the aperture the more you zoom in.

Set the ISO at 400 or higher (most modern DSLRs will handle the noise quite well, so 800 is certainly doable).

Ask if you might be allowed a tripod.

_________________
My Flickr | Snaptophobic Bloggage
Heather Kay: modelling details that matter.
"Let my windows be open to receive new ideas but let me also be strong enough not to be blown away by them." - Mahatma Gandhi.


Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:15 am
Profile
What's a life?
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
Reply with quote
I'd say go with the fastest lens, and don't be surprised if you find yourself up at 1600+.
Like Heather says, a tripod will be a great help.
From my limited cat walk experience, I'd suggest asking to see if you can watch a dress rehearsal, and maybe take notes of moments where there's not much movement, hopefully somewhere well lit.
Also, consider taking a small stepladder with you, or stand on a chair. Chances are you'll be stuck at the back, or off to the side.
You'll get a much nicer framing, IMHO, if you can get up more on a level with the cast's eyeline instead of having them looking over or down on you. It's more engaging.

It's hard to say, really, without seeing where you're shooting, but take your fastest lens (my gut's saying the 28-150 will cover it, but I don't know how fast that is), leave your anti-shake thingy on, try to get in for a dress rehearsal and remember not to get stuck down with the audience.

_________________
www.alexsmall.co.uk

Charlie Brooker wrote:
Windows works for me. But I'd never recommend it to anybody else, ever.


Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:18 pm
Profile
I haven't seen my friends in so long
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:35 pm
Posts: 6580
Location: Getting there
Reply with quote
Thanks both!

I've just had a play around and at the largest aperture is f/3.5 at 18mm for the stock lens or f/3.5 at 28mm for the other (although I lose some of the wide angle as it's an EF lens on an EF-S camera).

That makes the bigger lens marginally faster.

Off topic question, how does the physical lens diameter affect the outcome?

The stock EOS450D lens has a 58mm diameter whereas the other one (actually it's the stock EOS3 lens) has a diameter of 72mm.

Thanks again :D I might take my EOS3 along with me also :D

_________________
Oliver Foggin - iPhone Dev

JJW009 wrote:
The count will go up until they stop counting. That's the way counting works.


Doodle Sub!
Game Of Life

Image Image


Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:13 pm
Profile WWW
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 4 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 54 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Designed by ST Software.