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04/06/2011 09:11:55 PM · #1 |
Just got the D700. Moved up from D90. My daughter is in a play this weekend. I'll have four opportunities to see...I'll be at all of them...!
I'll be using my 24-70 2.8 and/or my 80-200 2.8. My seating placement will likely be the factor in choosing a lens. NO FLASH ALLOWED. However, the lighting is "pro" and first class.
I've done this before with my D90 and had some success....however, you guessed it....noise in the "dark" areas...! However, now that I have my new cam, I think I have an advantage.
As far as shooting these types of performances, is there anything you can teach me that will help me get GREAT shots and not just good shots !? One advantage is that after the first show...I'll know where all the opportunities lie as far as composition goes.
All tips welcomed.....
...also....this will be the first time out for my D700 so I want to show you some photos worthy of the equipment. |
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04/06/2011 09:17:14 PM · #2 |
| I shot my sons play last year. I used the 70-200 2.8 and stayed in the back of the auditorium. I believe I shot at either iso 800 or 1600 and believe it or not, auto wb. I know it sounds horrible but the D700 handled it like a pro. All of my shots were beautiful and noise is not an issue. Enjoy and have fun. When I get home from work I'll post a few. |
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04/06/2011 09:20:50 PM · #3 |
| Be careful -- depending upon the background, you could have metering issues. My daughter was in little red riding hood. They didn't have much of a background, so there was a huge amount of big black curtain -- everything was terribly over exposed. |
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04/06/2011 09:26:44 PM · #4 |
| The first thing I'd do is ask if you even can photograph the event. Many plays are "copyrighted" and photography of the events are not allowed. |
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04/06/2011 09:31:09 PM · #5 |
If the lighting is fairly consistent during the show, you can try and get a custom White Balance setting in advance, perhaps during the dress rehearsal. That's also a good time to get some shots in general, as you might be allowed up against the front of the stage and in the wings.
Otherwise, shoot with auto WB and the highest ISO you can get away with to have the fastest shutter speed possible. If you know the show, you can anticipate what scenes tableaux might make good photo-ops, and pre-frame/pre-focus before they hit their marks.
If you can, shoot at least one show from the back and one from up close; I'd think the ideal would be one show on each end and one in the center of the front row, and one show from the back.
I took some pictures at a show a while ago, but my camera is pretty bad for noise even at ISO 200 ... :-( 
Good luck, have fun! |
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04/06/2011 09:31:13 PM · #6 |
Well, this is certainly a good issue to have--how will one use far superior equipment at an event? Seems like it is hard to go far wrong.
Even if you use it exactly the same way you used your D90, the D700 should give you better results :-) I suppose I might go back and look at the d90 shots, both the most successful and the least acceptable. Check exif data for exposure settings, in particular the ISO, and any shots with motion blur (you'll want to figure your minimum shutter speed to prevent that, most likely)
Since you have a lot more latitude on ISO with the D700, I'd consider starting with 70-200mm at 2.8-3.6, shutter speed fast enough to address the situation, and then use the ISO that supports those settings. I like the idea of working from the back or the sides with the 70-200. I doubt you will need shorter than 70 unless you are really close. |
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04/06/2011 09:34:40 PM · #7 |
A few thoughts (some are similar to others that have been posted:
Shoot manual - better control of the exposure
Get permission - talk to the director and make sure
Bring the 70-200 and shoot around f4 - sharper a bit more DOF
Bring a wide angle as well - in case the director wants a cast and crew shot for posterity.
Have fun!
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04/06/2011 09:59:48 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by bassbone:
Get permission - talk to the director and make sure |
Might even be able to get "invited" to a dressed rehearsal which would give you much more flexibility in shooting.
Your major concern during a showing is the "click-clack* your dSLR is going to make. A few shots will be tolerated, but constant shutter slap might get you escorted out of the building. So yeah, asking for permission is a good thing.
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04/06/2011 10:04:40 PM · #9 |
One thing that I surprised that hasn't been mentioned yet (maybe too obvious and basic): shoot RAW. This will allow you some changes in exposure and white balance that you wouldn't have shooting jpeg.
But then again, you probably already shoot RAW. Just making sure.
By the way, high ISO and low noise is probably what led you to the D700. You won't be disappointed. I have been amazed at what I've been able to pull off and I'm counting on it's performance in these two areas for dance recital photography and high end real estate photography. |
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04/06/2011 10:17:43 PM · #10 |
Thanks for the tips...
yakatme....yes RAW for sure...I can't wait...!
fotomann....they have been rehearsing for 8 weeks with the first dressed rehearsal about a week ago...however, I have another school kid at home so I didn't get to make it!
Bassbone...I'll hang around f4....thanks b/c for some reason I always go to f2.8. But with the D700 and low noise, I may be able to pull of f4.
Chromey...yes...good problem to have...but If I don't know what I'm doing, I may as well bring my old Kodak 110. ;)
General - I will try to get a close seat and then one in the back the next day !
MattO - Yes...these are pretty "by the book" plays but over the last 7 years I found that in an auditorium with 500 people and 60% are taking pictures, it is hard to shut down...not that that makes is "right" though !
Thanks and I'll read more as you post them !
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04/06/2011 10:27:12 PM · #11 |
| I also try and bring my tripod (a monopod would work easier, but I don't have one). When I'm not in the production I sit center front balcony. |
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04/06/2011 11:29:14 PM · #12 |
See if you can shoot the tech rehearsal. Full lights, full costumes, with the action starting and stopping. The tech crew are stomping around, and the director is giving direction so you can walk around through out the theater and get your shot. I have shot the last few of my daughters high school shows this way, and given the director a disk of images for the theater department to use. You usually get most of the needed shots during tech, and when you see the show live you know what will happen when and fill in what ever you are missing.
Shots from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The best shots are with a 10-22mm while standing on the stage apron, five feet from the actors; and with the 200mm from the back of the house.
Message edited by author 2011-04-07 02:48:51. |
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04/07/2011 12:11:44 AM · #13 |
Absolutely best shots are at cast photos. Typically, there will be a pro photog present - make sure you don't get in his/her way - if you shoot right after the pro's flash, you're typically not going to step on his/her shot.
Cast photos are done with house lights up, cast in full costume, and with the live set. Everyone knows they're being photographed, and so are posing (and almost always "in character").
Try to anticipate the "freeze" - where everyone on stage is still for that brief moment (like at the top of a jump shot in basketball - with any low light moving "live" action, there are lots of moments where the action stops for just a moment).
My last piece of advice - for one performance, leave the camera at home, and just enjoy your daughter's performance without looking through the viewfinder.
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04/07/2011 12:17:12 AM · #14 |
What is the venue, etc? I assumed this is a school play, so the environment will be less formal, audience primarily parents, and no series of formal dress rehearsals, tech rehearsals, etc. But it may be much more formal than I was assuming.
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04/07/2011 05:11:12 PM · #15 |
Ok i forgot to do anything when I got home last night, but here is a link to the shots I took
//www.facebook.com/album.php?id=742258793&aid=256371
BTW, my son is the King.
Message edited by author 2011-04-07 17:11:48. |
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04/07/2011 05:31:08 PM · #16 |
This content is currently unavailable, check the link for errors. |
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04/07/2011 05:55:45 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
This content is currently unavailable, check the link for errors. |
Odd cause it worked for me. |
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04/07/2011 11:41:03 PM · #18 |
Hello again....first show is done. I was all the way up and back. Cam data shows 18 - 20 meters. ISO is 2000 and 3200. Check the data if interested.
These are heavily cropped but have zero noise reduction and zero sharpening. I have room to improve on my autofocusing though! Most have zero Photoshop processing. I'd say not bad for my first time out with Big Daddy D700.
The first thing I noticed was how much I could see through the viewfinder ! FX is huge ! Also, many had blown highlights in places. I'll have to learn to control the light with this cam.
These are the ones that did best with the crop. I'll post more over the weekend. There are three more shows. I'll watch one with the D700 at home!
Oh...my daughter is in the black with the headband.
 
 
 
Message edited by author 2011-04-07 23:43:04. |
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04/07/2011 11:46:23 PM · #19 |
| Those look great ken, the new toy has done you proud. Or vice versa. Either way, nice work. |
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04/07/2011 11:49:28 PM · #20 |
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04/07/2011 11:53:51 PM · #21 |
Thanks......what impresses me most is how "cropped" they are and still hold up well...with no editing. I had to sit way back so my mirror slap wouldn't bother the others !
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Those look great ken, the new toy has done you proud. Or vice versa. Either way, nice work. |
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04/07/2011 11:54:20 PM · #22 |
Thanks....I can't wait until I really learn to use it !
Originally posted by chromeydome:
Nicely done!! |
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04/08/2011 12:05:11 AM · #23 |
| how amazing is that Ken at that iso, you must be happy with the new purchase |
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04/08/2011 12:09:23 AM · #24 |
LOL....its strange to talk about 2000 - 3200 ISO like we're saying 200-400 on my D90 !
Originally posted by curtpetguy:
how amazing is that Ken at that iso, you must be happy with the new purchase |
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04/09/2011 12:14:52 AM · #25 |
Day 2 - I only snapped a few tonight. Got a little closer to the stage.
The only editing done to these was exposure tweaks in raw ! No sharpening or noise reduction either ! This full frame D700 is freaking amazing. Check image for ISO. I think all were about 2000.
 
 
 
Message edited by author 2011-04-09 00:15:56. |
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