dance class advice

[webby]

I took my new DSLR to my daughters dance class at the weekend. I know its probably not the easiest way to start as this was the first time I have taken it out of the house but I thought i had to start somewhere. I have attached one of the photos - I know it is not the best but I wasn't taking it for good composition! I took it on the cameras sports setting just to get an idea of what I was dealing with as I hadn't the confidence to use manual!
Just wondered what settings you would use to take shots of dancing and if you give me any other tips. I will be going again to take more in a couple of weeks hopefully from the front of the class this time as they were all from the back as I felt a bit strange in front of everyone!

I have also posted a couple of photos which I took with my old camera on the portrait forum if you would like to have a look (don't be too harsh - I am only learning!!

 

[chenng]

Hey Webby welcome to the forums. You don't say what your DSLR is, but if you don't have the confidence to use full manual, have a go in shutter priority mode (Tv).

I would suggest a slightly faster shutter speed than you used above, I would have thought around 400 would freeze this action quite well... and the aperture will sort itself out. If the camera blinks at you to tell you your shutter speed is too fast, up the ISO. I take it you are using the on board flash rather than anything else? Trial and error my friend, and don't be a chicken - shooting in the other modes on the camera is the best way to learn!!

Good luck,

Gary

 

[webby]

Hey Webby welcome to the forums. You don't say what your DSLR is, but if you don't have the confidence to use full manual, have a go in shutter priority mode (Tv).

I would suggest a slightly faster shutter speed than you used above, I would have thought around 400 would freeze this action quite well... and the aperture will sort itself out. If the camera blinks at you to tell you your shutter speed is too fast, up the ISO. I take it you are using the on board flash rather than anything else? Trial and error my friend, and don't be a chicken - shooting in the other modes on the camera is the best way to learn!!

Good luck,

Gary

Thanks Gary will try that. I know I was a chicken think it was taking photos with others watching - sure I will get used to it!! My camera is a Nikon D40, just with kit lens etc for now. Sue

 

[Chappers]

Taking pictures from the back initially may not be a bad thing. It's not only you who may be nervous but you subjects as well. They could become self conscious and not act natural, but "play to the camera".

After a while , hopefully, you'll become just "background" and they'll act normally for you.

Have fun