Shooting a ballet class next Saturday...

11/02/2005 02:38:51 PM · #1

Okay, people. So I'm going to shoot some dancers on the 12th at the dance school I used to go to before we moved out to this little hicktown...I'm going to be shooting a couple classes, and I was wondering if any of you amazing people on here have any tips for me.
I've done this once before (at the same place, before we moved) but it was a long time ago, I had a nasty little p&s, I knew nothing at all, and I was too afraid of getting in the way of the dancers to get up and move around the room to get different angles. (I shot the entire 3 hours of classes from one corner! ugh...needless to say, I got nothing worth looking at)
So. There's a sliding glass door and a great big window on one side of this studio (it's a pretty big one) but that's all the natural light I'll have...and then just the regular lights on the ceiling (but it's a high ceiling, so those lights oftentimes don't do much good).
Anyone ever shot ballet classes before? Any tips for poor little me?
They'd be much appreciated, thanks everyone!! :)
Cristin

Delfeye

Nikon Coolpix S550

11/02/2005 02:40:11 PM · #2

Please don't shoot the ballet dancers, ballet is pretty. Shoot the wierdo modern dancers.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/02/2005 02:41:50 PM · #3

Originally posted by Delfeye:

Please don't shoot the ballet dancers, ballet is pretty. Shoot the wierdo modern dancers.

Lol!
I've taken modern too, and I think it can be just as pretty as ballet, though. ;)

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/02/2005 02:43:34 PM · #4

I haven't shot a ballet, but other dance event with very low light. I use on camera flash bounced off the celing for proper lighting.
I would advice using manual mode, shutter no less than 1/100sec, lens wide open and using flash (bounced off celing, or if you can hand hold it) if allowed.

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/02/2005 02:44:50 PM · #5

by on-camera flash, I don't mean to use the built-in flash, but 500EX flash on the hot shoe mount on camera...

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/02/2005 02:45:07 PM · #6

Originally posted by gaurawa:

Thanks, I'll keep all that in mind! :)

Canon EOS-60D

11/02/2005 02:49:34 PM · #7

You should PM sonifo since she does a lot of dance studio and recital shoots...and she does them very well, I might add. :)

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

11/02/2005 02:56:23 PM · #8

Originally posted by laurielblack:

You should PM sonifo since she does a lot of dance studio and recital shoots...and she does them very well, I might add. :)

Ah, I knew there was someone on here who had done some really awesome dance stuff, I just couldn't remember who it was. :) I'll definitely give her a ring. Thanks, Laurie!

Apple iPhone

11/02/2005 03:05:58 PM · #9

talk to the dance teachers prior to the class to make sure you know where is good to stand or move... keep on the side of the windows adn door so you have lights onthe dancers, except when you want to do backlit photos (such as for a lift or pairs)... make sure you dont shoot directly into the mirrors.. or you'll see you.. take a few photos before the class to make sure you have your settings good for the group you are shooting... make sure you catch teh kids as they change shoes, or if there is a pile of shoes or a dance bag with shoes. The bar work as you know is pretty good place to get some shots as the repetition gives you time to check a shot and retake it if necessary

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

11/02/2005 03:11:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by di53:

Wow, thanks for all that! :)
Yeah, I've danced for a long time, so I do know some of the routine that a regular class will have...and I've danced with these people and this teacher for a long time too, so I shouldn't have much trouble moving around and getting the right shots...Like my teacher now says, if you're a dancer and shooting dancers, it really helps things, cuz you can anticipate the movement and all that jazz...
Anyhoo yeah. Thanks for all that! Very muchly appreciated!! :)

Apple iPhone

11/02/2005 07:17:02 PM · #11

Originally posted by christie3:

Originally posted by di53:
talk to the dance teachers prior to the class to make sure you know where is good to stand or move... keep on the side of the windows adn door so you have lights onthe dancers, except when you want to do backlit photos (such as for a lift or pairs)... make sure you dont shoot directly into the mirrors.. or you'll see you.. take a few photos before the class to make sure you have your settings good for the group you are shooting... make sure you catch teh kids as they change shoes, or if there is a pile of shoes or a dance bag with shoes. The bar work as you know is pretty good place to get some shots as the repetition gives you time to check a shot and retake it if necessary

Wow, thanks for all that! :)
Yeah, I've danced for a long time, so I do know some of the routine that a regular class will have...and I've danced with these people and this teacher for a long time too, so I shouldn't have much trouble moving around and getting the right shots...Like my teacher now says, if you're a dancer and shooting dancers, it really helps things, cuz you can anticipate the movement and all that jazz...
Anyhoo yeah. Thanks for all that! Very muchly appreciated!! :)

You're very welcome... ::big smile:: i miss the dance studios, and am thinking of seeing if they have official photographers and see if there is a space that woud allow me to take photos in classes and sell the pics to the parents.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/02/2005 07:19:16 PM · #12

Talk to Slippy - he took this fabulous shot of Joey...

11/02/2005 07:20:50 PM · #13

rofl, Ken! I love you.

11/02/2005 07:26:48 PM · #14

Originally posted by di53:

Ah, if I could just ship you down here from Canadia, I know of a dance studio in Oregon City whose official photog just moved to Ohio... ;)

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

11/02/2005 07:36:44 PM · #15

Hi Christie

Well, my advice is do not use a flash. Bump up your iso, but flash can not only be distracting, it can be dangerous as I'm sure you know from personal experience. If you have to shoot towards the window or light source, be sure to slightly over expose it or your subjects will be silhouetted.

Guarawa - I'm surprised you were permitted to shoot with a flash...

You dance, so you know the strucure of the class. Think ahead of time, that maybe being at the front will be fun for say, grand allegro, but from the side, adagio might give some inetesting shots. (similar to what di53 said)

Don't forget to do close ups. Hands on the barre, hands on the waist in between exercises, feet, body parts and faces when stretching, etc.

Again, since you dance, you should have lots of fun shooting the jumps. Don't be afraid to try different angles, and if you have a pianist, don't forget the pianist and the teacher!

Have fun!
Cheers

11/02/2005 07:41:51 PM · #16

Originally posted by pidge:

Thanks for all the advice!! Very helpful...And yeah, I don't have any flash other than the on-cam flash anyways, so I didn't think I'd be using one. : ) Yeah, my current dance teacher got sued once because she had one of her dancers get dropped out of a lift (and break a few bones) because of a camera flash (it startled the d00d who was holding her) and so now she positively will NOT let anyone shoot her classes or performances if they're going to use a flash.
So yeah, flashes can be dangerous sometimes.
But my rebel's iso is really nasty at 1600, do you think 800 would be high enough? Like I said, last time I used a gross little p&s with no manual stuff, so I really don't know what I'll need to do as far as settings go...
edit:
except for the wide aperture and at least over 1/100th shutter speed, that is. : )

Message edited by author 2005-11-02 19:42:43.

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

11/02/2005 08:01:40 PM · #17

Christie - 800 should be fine. If things are looking good, go down to 400 even. I always set the aperture to it's highest setting (lowest number). I think I said that right. Always get confused. So when I used the my 2.8 200 lens, I shoot at 2.8. Since you are shooting during the day and if you cross your fingers will have sun, you should be fine with 400 ISO, the lowest number for your aperture, and then shutter speed 1/250 or so for fast action. I can't remeber what settings I've used, but just be sure to use your historgram when you review and adjust accordingly. I'ms ure you'll have a lot of fun.

Oh yes and use your M mode. I've tried shooting in the others, and for live action stuff, it would get a bit frustrating. You're welcome to try it out, but I think you'll be happier with the manual control of the M setting.
Cheers!