Settings -School Play

Seajay

Seajay

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,493
Name
Cathy
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,
Going to my granddaughters xmas show tonight and meant to ask a little earlier.
Any tips for my settings on a canon 550d to capture some of the show without my pop up flash going off. Not sure where my seat is yet so I may be too far away.However if I am close enough i would like to try.
Last year I had to stop as I was on auto and the flash kept going off.

If I am too late for help please ignore my thread and i will just fire off some and see what happens.

Thanks in advance
Cathy
 
what lens you ahve is as important if not moreso for this type of photogrpahy... so what ya got? ie need to know what f-stop it will achieve...
 
Put in Aperture priority and use largest Aperture (lowest f numbers), highest ISO you find acceptable (1600, 3200?) and a steady hand.
 
Depending where you are sitting as to what focal length required, and as fast a lens as possible. Bear in mind that movement will spoil slow shutter speed shots so perhaps a minimum of 1/50 then adjust aperture and ISO to get a decently exposed shot.

I'm off shortly to the granddaughters theatrical extravaganza as well, I anticipate the biggest problem will be getting a clear shot.
 
I used a nifty fifty for photographing a circus performance earlier in the year - lots if movement, colours lights, spot lights and very dark, so very similar to a stage show. I put the lens onto f/1.8 and ISO to 3200 and that kept my shutter speed 1/30 - 1/50 which worked fine and I got some great shots. A bit of motion blur actually really helped with the fast moving acts.
 
Well to my surprise I got some really nice shots not fantastic! and most need a tweak.
However to capture these and not on AUTO is all due to me being on here and having all the help you give.

I had a great time looking for shots rather than just snapping away and found lots I just need to work on my camera
 
Last edited:
What a pity but it s pretty normal now that there are no cameras allowed. My oldest who is in drama and has been in panto every week since October is not allowed to have pictures taken we h
ave to buy them

I took way too many photos tonight but did enjoy it as I am looking for shots and watching for what could be a nice one. I will improve with time.

Problem is my best shots although not great are not of my granddaughter .



Typical she was either behind someone or scowling! But honestly I enjoyed trying .Mind you I have no idea what settings i used as I changed them all the time trying to get better light.
 
Last edited:
look at your exif data to see what settings you used.

Although you don't have much choice in settings when in low light and typically have to max out aperture and ISO and live with what ever shutter speed you are left with. If the shutter speed turns out too slow then nothing you can do at that stage, it is basically too dark.
 
Ernest thank you. I have added a couple of pics just to show what I managed to capture. It was fun!
 
Not wishing to be the killjoy, but if they aren't your kids/grand kids should you be posting them on the Internet?
 
Gosh you are so right! I had also sent my son to Flickr to see these but will pop them on a disk for him. Thank you I never though about that
 
Last edited:
GHP said:
Not wishing to be the killjoy, but if they aren't your kids/grand kids should you be posting them on the Internet?
Click to expand...

oh my god!

as if we havent got enough to contend with the PC brigade we now have photographers joining in..

why on earth do you think its wrong?
 
Exactly, what is so wrong about posting them. They have no names, the school isn't mentioned etc,. so no giveaway to location or children which is the usual reason for not showing isn't it.
Do I need to remove any photos I have taken with anonymous children in them?
 
KIPAX said:
oh my god!

as if we havent got enough to contend with the PC brigade we now have photographers joining in..

why on earth do you think its wrong?
Click to expand...

First of all, I am not one of the "PC Brigade". I think the world has gone mad with regard to all that.

I went to my grandson's nativity on monday, and was told by the teachers not to photograph any children other than your own kids/grandkids. (Impossible given that are sat so close to each other).
They also said categorically not to post any pics, even of your own kids, on to the internet, including facebook etc.
Around here that seems to be the policy of most schools, which I find ridiculous, but that does not alter the fact that most parents will abide by their "rules".
If any of the other parents find a picture of their child on the internet whether on Facebook or Flickr etc, you can guarantee that that they will kick up a fuss, complain to the school, and then the school will "ban" any sort of photography/video etc.
Because you know that the one person who is going to find the pics will be one of the interfering PC brigade busy-bodies with nothing better to do than complain.
And before any-one says "they won't get found", we all know that they get posted on facebook, shared, talked about, etc etc. In fact the OP says she has already directed some-one to Flickr.

As ridiculous as I find all this, as it was on their property, surely they make their own rules, as stupid as those rules might be.
And if they chose, then they could withdraw their permission to allow photography at future events.
 
I have removed them just to be sure anyway. I really did not think about it to be very honest but most places don't allow family pictures anymore which is very sad but you do sometimes find there is always someone taking them and then you can purchase a copy.

The way I i see it is how are the children going to have any memories of their school shows and the fun times like sports days school outings etc . Photography is the best way to capture these special moments.

I love to capture every moment I can with my family and grandchildren and so glad I do as the parents just take phone pics that are never printed and often lost.

That said in today's world of weird people I can understand why we are not allowed to . I wanted to photograph my 6 year old at her swimming as she had just mastered a full length in the pool without arm bands but sadly I was not allowed to as there were other kids in the pool too.

Never mind I enjoyed my experience at the show taking my first pictures without the auto being on .
I have copied them onto to a disk for the school as well as my son.
 
Seajay said:
That said in today's world of weird people I can understand why we are not allowed to
Click to expand...

the world had no more weird people in it that it ever did (relatively) and paedophilia is not something that started in 1990.

The biggest change is that paranoia levels have increased.

Anyway, for the brief time your photos were in the thread it would appear you got the hang of settings to use.
 
Seajay said:
I have removed them just to be sure anyway. I really did not think about it to be very honest but most places don't allow family pictures anymore which is very sad but you do sometimes find there is always someone taking them and then you can purchase a copy.

The way I i see it is how are the children going to have any memories of their school shows and the fun times like sports days school outings etc . Photography is the best way to capture these special moments.

I love to capture every moment I can with my family and grandchildren and so glad I do as the parents just take phone pics that are never printed and often lost.

That said in today's world of weird people I can understand why we are not allowed to . I wanted to photograph my 6 year old at her swimming as she had just mastered a full length in the pool without arm bands but sadly I was not allowed to as there were other kids in the pool too.

Never mind I enjoyed my experience at the show taking my first pictures without the auto being on .
I have copied them onto to a disk for the school as well as my son.
Click to expand...

Cathy, sorry to be a thread killer, that was not my intention at all.
I think the pics you posted were very good, and you captured some lovely moments very well. Well done.

I agree with you, it is very sad that parents are prevented from recording their own children's life landmarks because of the ridiculous rules imposed by some schools.
 
ernesto said:
the world had no more weird people in it that it ever did (relatively) and paedophilia is not something that started in 1990.

The biggest change is that paranoia levels have increased.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree.
 
GHP said:
I agree with you, it is very sad that parents are prevented from recording their own children's life landmarks because of the ridiculous rules imposed by some schools.
Click to expand...

No - that's not the case (everywhere) at the moment - it could well become the case if people blatantly ignore the request of the schools that images should not be placed on the internet.

You are perfectly entitled (at my son's school anyway) to take pictures for your own use, showing to Grandparents etc. We were also asked to NOT post on internet / facebook etc.

The rudeness of being stood or half stood in front of the poor parents sat behind you while doing so is another matter.
 
The OP was obviously allowed to take pictures and no restrictions given.. what a shame fellow photogrpahers are first with the paranoia and now they are taken down NOT .. I reapeat NOT because the school or a parent complained.. but because fellow photogrpahers jumped in..... thats the truth isnt it? how sad :(
 
I give in, what a palaver over nothing.
 
I went to my sons school play and had the same request for the head - feel free to take pictures but please don't post them on social network sites...

That aside, I had to bump the ISO to between 1600 and 3200 to get some "ok" shots. I'd really want them to be sharper but I had to use my 70-300 and full length and f5.6 so there was no chance.

So I left, wondering whether a different body would improve things or a quicker lens. I know a quicker lens would be best but it'd be pricey I fear...
 
Self-obsessed schools and other organisations which deal with children need to learn a few basic lessons. The first thing they need to learn is the difference between their own little rules and the law of the land.

A generation of children is missing out on photographs of their childhood because of a media driven agenda to brand everyone as a potential paedophile.

Very sad and very wrong in equal measure.
 
Thank you to everyone who posted.

I hope you are all looking forward to a Very Happy Christmas and lots of beautiful shots in 2013.

Gary you were no thread killer we are all here to help in anyway we can so thank you.
Cathy
 
I just don't get why people have to bring in this "you shouldn't post this or that" - unless it's directly related to them!?

I shot both our daughter's Christmas plays this week, nothing was mentioned about photographing whatsoever. Everyone there had a camera of some sort, I'm sure plenty of them caught shots with my kids in. Do I care? Certainly not, the actual chances of a photo of your child being used inappropriately are extremely slim.

I stood at the back, used a 70-200, picked off the shots I wanted of my kids and some neighbours and friends kids too, which they had requested, they also asked that I stick them on facebook and tag them. Not everyone is so paranoid and nervous about these things. And that's how it should be.

Until something goes wrong, don't be wasting time worrying on it.

Hope you got some great shots. I was able to shoot at 1/160, ISO 1000, 2.8 with the 70-200 as the hall was bright-ish enough.
 
Cagey75 said:
I just don't get why people have to bring in this "you shouldn't post this or that" - unless it's directly related to them!?
Click to expand...

If you read my post #12, I did not say "you should not post this", what I said was "Should you be posting this, as they are not your kids".
A simple question, as I didn't want the OP to get into trouble with the teacher.

Cagey75 said:
I shot both our daughter's Christmas plays this week, nothing was mentioned about photographing whatsoever.
Click to expand...

That's the point. When I mentioned my grandson's nativity, the school specifically mentioned photography and posting on the internet/facebook etc. especially with regard to kids who aren't your own. Obviously different schools have different rules. When my daughter was in school, there was absolutely no photography allowed, other than the "official" tog.
As I said in post #16

Cagey75 said:
Not everyone is so paranoid and nervous about these things. And that's how it should be.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%.
Although that's how it should be, sadly it isn't the case in a lot of places.
I certainly am not paranoid, but as I also pointed out in #16 if a school has these (ridiculous) rules in place, and some-one breaks them, then what's to stop them putting a ban on photography all together?
Right or wrong, their school, their rules.
 
Yes considering this was my first time on auto and armed with super advice from the forum before going I am happy that I got some good shots. I sat at the outside so that when I was taking my shots I would not disturb anyone. It was fun and I was asked by a few parents if I could give them a copy.. Now that was a laugh as I am no photographer but they do not know that :) I just said I would make a copy onto a disk and hand it into the school and they can ask them for a copy of their kids.


There were lots of pictures being taken of the show by parents and family everyone had a super time. We were told that taking photos during the show was not going to be a problem and no restrictions were given on the evening.

I hope you got some nice shots too. it is fun to share them with the children who are usually only too pleased to see themselves in action
 
Last edited:
I got some great shots of my Grandson, although I was not in the ideal place for the best view !
I used an 80-200, mostly at f2.8, and the ISO was anything between 1600 and 6400, as it wasn't the brightest room, and it was very dull outside !
 
You have to appreciate the position of some schools who may have children that are subject to a court protection order, where their location may need to be kept from an abusive father/mother/other. Posting images may reveal their location, a long shot I admit, but whose head would be on the block if it went pear shaped in the future. So whilst frustrating, I think we have to sometimes be tolerant of decisions.
 
artyman said:
You have to appreciate the position of some schools who may have children that are subject to a court protection order, where their location may need to be kept from an abusive father/mother/other. Posting images may reveal their location, a long shot I admit, but whose head would be on the block if it went pear shaped in the future. So whilst frustrating, I think we have to sometimes be tolerant of decisions.
Click to expand...

A few years ago the head at our school banned photography at shows but has recently allowed it again but does ask that they are for personal use only and not put onto any social networking site. In our school we have many "looked after children" who are vunerable and their location has to be kept quiet. If their photos were put online the chances of anyone spotting it are slim but to post them and then put the school name or worse the childs name then that could put them at risk. If people abuse it then it could go back to a ban again.
 
GHP said:
If you read my post #12, I did not say "you should not post this", what I said was "Should you be posting this, as they are not your kids".
A simple question, as I didn't want the OP to get into trouble with the teacher.



That's the point. When I mentioned my grandson's nativity, the school specifically mentioned photography and posting on the internet/facebook etc. especially with regard to kids who aren't your own. Obviously different schools have different rules. When my daughter was in school, there was absolutely no photography allowed, other than the "official" tog.
As I said in post #16



I agree 100%.
Although that's how it should be, sadly it isn't the case in a lot of places.
I certainly am not paranoid, but as I also pointed out in #16 if a school has these (ridiculous) rules in place, and some-one breaks them, then what's to stop them putting a ban on photography all together?
Right or wrong, their school, their rules.
Click to expand...


It wasn't so much as aimed directly at you but anyone, lately, who seems to be policing others, or advising them what they shouldn't post up. I think the whole photo's online, or taking photos anywhere near kids in public is gone ridiculous. Some day you won't be allowed take your dslr outside the house!
 
Cagey75 said:
It wasn't so much as aimed directly at you but anyone, lately, who seems to be policing others, or advising them what they shouldn't post up. I think the whole photo's online, or taking photos anywhere near kids in public is gone ridiculous. Some day you won't be allowed take your dslr outside the house!
Click to expand...

Sorry if I came over as being defensive, I didn't think it was aimed specifically at me.
I agree about the whole situation regarding taking pics anywhere near kids is, as you say, ridiculous.
 
artyman said:
You have to appreciate the position of some schools who may have children that are subject to a court protection order, where their location may need to be kept from an abusive father/mother/other. Posting images may reveal their location, a long shot I admit, but whose head would be on the block if it went pear shaped in the future. So whilst frustrating, I think we have to sometimes be tolerant of decisions.
Click to expand...

I can appreciate that. However a picture of a child with no name, no mention of location or school is not going to be an issue in that case (or any other case).

It is no different than me taking shots out on the street that happen to have children in them (they are anonymous). I think the court protection card is played as an excuse rather than a genuine reason in a lot of cases.
 
Yes, I appreciate what you are saying, but the school has no control over what people post anywhere, if you could 100% trust them, then no problem, but they can't. How many times have embarrasing photos that should have been private, been splashed all over the press, I rest my case. :)
 
ernesto said:
I can appreciate that. However a picture of a child with no name, no mention of location or school is not going to be an issue in that case (or any other case).

It is no different than me taking shots out on the street that happen to have children in them (they are anonymous). I think the court protection card is played as an excuse rather than a genuine reason in a lot of cases.
Click to expand...

True, but the fact remains that (in my case) the school had specifically stated that they did not want any pictures posted on the internet.
Right or wrong, stupid or not, that is what they have said.

And it is different to taking an anonymous street shot, because you are on school property, and, as said before, their property, their rules.

I disagree as much as you on this, but I have to adhere to their wishes, or else next time they might say no pictures at all !
 
ernesto said:
I can appreciate that. However a picture of a child with no name, no mention of location or school is not going to be an issue in that case (or any other case).
Click to expand...

But if the user has a name - and a location on their profile - the possibilities are narrowed down. Maybe not completely, but significantly.

GHP said:
I disagree as much as you on this, but I have to adhere to their wishes, or else next time they might say no pictures at all !
Click to expand...

With you here - except next time they WILL say no pictures at all. As some schools already do.

The minority will always spoil it for the majority.
 
overbez said:
But if the user has a name - and a location on their profile - the possibilities are narrowed down. Maybe not completely, but significantly.
Click to expand...

I don't agree that it is significantly as the user may not live that close and the location may be a massive area. If someone is after getting access to a specific child that much I am sure they will do it without needing to find a photo on a photography forum, get the location, scour all schools etc,.!

However, I do agree that if a school says no then it means no and it is their ruling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top