Photographing a stage show

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dajlucy

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David
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Hi folks, has anyone got any advice on lighting techniques when photographing a stage show ?
 
Use ambient light, a fast lens and ramp up the ISO if necessary.

If you absolutely have to use flash, get it off camera, drop the intensity as low as you can and gel it to blend in with the predominant lighting theme.
 
buy the lighting engineer a beer and tell him to crank the front bar lights :)
 
Class! :lol:

That works right up until the 'talent' complains that they're being fried alive! :D
 
Don't use a flash is the first rule of thumb; shoot in RAW and take a photograph of something white/grey under the stage lights and finally dial in exposure compensation of -0.3 - this will stop any burn out that can occur if lights are not properly focused or if an actor gets close to a light source. Also switch to spot metering.

I usually start with 800 ISO but will dial this down or up depending on the lighting design. I use an aperture of 3.5 or 4 and try to keep my shutter speed at around 1/125 sec. I am always prepared to alter these variables but find they are a good starting point.

Another tip is to focus on the reactions rather than just the action- actors tend not to be so animated if they are not in the immediate spotlight.

When it comes to post production, take your first image containing the white/grey object and use that to set your white point - copy this colour profile across all of your images and you should see the orangey cast that accompanies a lot of stage lighting disappears and the colours start to look more natural.

Hope that gives you some pointers; by all means drop me a line for further ideas, or go and look at my Flickr site.

Am off out now to photograph a Ray Cooney farce

Spooks
 
itsdavedotnet said:
buy the lighting engineer a beer....
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this is the best advice I've ever seen on here, I fully support this idea :banana:


...unfortunately, for most theatrical shows, it won't help much as they are cue-based, but you never know, there might be a spare front wash that could be sneaked-in occasionally...
 
flossie said:
this is the best advice I've ever seen on here, I fully support this idea :banana:


...unfortunately, for most theatrical shows, it won't help much as they are cue-based, but you never know, there might be a spare front wash that could be sneaked-in occasionally...
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haha, aye :D

and I wasn't even joking :) My main lanyard for holding passes or ID badges is a Martin lighting branded one from Plasa years ago that instantly makes me almost 'one of them' :)

Sharpies, insu tape and biscuits work well too...
 
Cheers everyone, photos went well but struggled without using flash as I was on the balcony at the back of the theatre, at least 30 meters away. Very difficult when the dancing were constantly moving around !
 
Simon,

great advice, which I will pinch for my next holiday when I will be seeing a show each evening and this will come in handy.
Many thanks
Malcolm
 
| guy once asked me if I'd "turn all the lights on brightly" because he was filming his daughter in a ballet.

I wasn't even working LX for that show, I just happened to be in the theatre with my badge on at the time. You do get people like that from time to time though!

Fast prime and high ISO. If you ask very nicely get in during a final dress run - unless it's a rock gig, people don't expect to see togs ambling about in the front aisle.

itsdavedotnet said:
haha, aye :D

and I wasn't even joking :) My main lanyard for holding passes or ID badges is a Martin lighting branded one from Plasa years ago that instantly makes me almost 'one of them' :)

Sharpies, insu tape and biscuits work well too...
Click to expand...

Every bit true. Also learn what a Par Can is and ask for technicians not engineers ;)
 
Spooky said:
Spooks
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Everything he says ;)

I've done two stage shows now and everything Spooky says I eventually worked out myself :nuts:

Its a constant battle of trying to retain a fast enough shutter speed to keep up with the action and big enough aperture to keep your 'stars' in focus, especially when they start spreading about the stage. Individual follow spots are REALLY bright, so avoiding burn out on faces can be a challenge. Then you've got to follow the action to get the best shots! One of my favorite things to shoot so far!

Getting in on the final dress is a top tip. You get the front of house pretty much to yourself and no-one to worry about while you cut about getting the best position.

Check out my Flickr for my own recent fun at Copacabana.
 
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