Advice - Low light, fast movement, no flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/28/2012 10:29:23 AM · #1

This has to be one of the hardest things I've ever tried to photograph. I'm limited by things far beyond my control. I'm taking publicity photos of rehearsals for a local theatre group. The only thing I have going for me is that the media for these photos is newsprint so the issues faced with a good quality photo on screen is offset by the newsprint quality.

The situation is this:

I'm photographic dancers, tap, and general broadway style dancing. I can't use a flash, its too distracting. They are lit from a few fluorescent bulbs from above, thus illuminating the stage floor nicely, but casting bad shadows on faces and leaving subjects in overall in shadow. The front stage lighting is not available. Thus, what I have for light is it. The dancers are moving...fast. At 2.8, reasonable illumination falls at 1/40 to 1/50.

Here is how I have compensated for the technical issues:

1) ISO 3200 (thanks goodness that the noise on the 20D is good and topaz denoise is great), shooting RAW. Using a monopod for a little added stability.

2) Wide aperture (2.8 on my Tamron 28-75). I'll stop down a little if I can.

3) Control distance to subject to maximize DOF. Although, at times I'm shooting at angles which reduce the number of subjects in focus.

4) Shoot often, hoping to catch as many 'still' poses as possible.

5) Shoot from multiple angles and location to maximize available light. Even if this means shooting from the back, there is still some dramatic shots from that point of view.

I probably have a done a few other things. I'm looking to see what others could suggest based on experience that may improve the next shoot I do, which is next week.

Thanks,
Paul

ETA: Here is the one that went into the paper. Its full size here, in color. In print, smaller and B&W, it looks very nice. As I said, I have this going for me.

Message edited by author 2012-01-28 10:32:02.

tanguera

Nikon D750

01/28/2012 11:23:07 AM · #2

First, congrats on the gig and the printed image!!!

I've done several gigs of this nature - being a theater bug and all. Yes, incredibly difficult, but those are all the things that I have done as well. The only other thing I would suggest is to ask the theater to borrow some working lights (continuous, non strobe) and set them up in the wings. This is obviously a professional theater and should have them. If not, I would bring my own.

For next week, will they have hung the lights? That will make a huge difference and you can ask them for a general wash, pushed to the max. Otherwise, carry on. You're doing great.

If you want something even more challenging, try shooting in a cramped little music venue with just some gelled stage lights for illumination.....

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/28/2012 12:22:58 PM · #3

Say what you will, but this is absolutely one area of photography where money does make all the difference... :)

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/28/2012 12:54:47 PM · #4

5dmk2 at iso6400+ and 1.2L bank on or equivilant nikon the d700 is it is awesome in low light

get a nifty 50 to give you another stop of light

borrow a newer camera for better noise (full frame even better)

01/28/2012 01:56:24 PM · #5

Thanks for the comment. Actually though, I'm on the theatre committee so this is just a fun thing for me to do....but it still gets me something to brag about with the paper print. :)

The lights are already hung and do put out a decent amount of light. Its just that the lighting chief wasn't there to have them on. I talked with him today, who is also a photographer and knew my pain. He told me he'd have them on for me next week. The good thing is he knows exactly what I need. He'll just be busy doing the head shots. I've got the 'harder' job in my opinion. :)

Originally posted by tanguera:

For next week, will they have hung the lights? That will make a huge difference and you can ask them for a general wash, pushed to the max. Otherwise, carry on. You're doing great.

01/28/2012 02:01:39 PM · #6

Yes, of course better equipment helps, but that is not a viable option, even to borrow one unfortunately. Luckily though, my lenses (except for my 60 mm macro) are full frame lenses so that helps if I ever do decide to go for a better camera.

Basically, I'm looking for any suggestions on shooting style, etc. People were shooting this type of work long before digital camera were out.

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/28/2012 02:12:14 PM · #7

sorry my post should have read in a perfect world... i wasn't suggesting going out and buying them :) well only the 50

i have a 20d and above 1600 the noise is shocking, but i to shoot in our little illegal speakeasy type joint think cavern club from beatles fame and youve got it and getting a nifty 50 over the 17-85 efs i had at the time made such a difference to shooting in the near dark, wont give you that width your after though. but a great cheap lens to add to your bag if you havent got it.

do they have to be crisp could play around with artistic movement blur etc make a feature of the slower shutter speed show the movements of teh dancers?

01/28/2012 02:21:11 PM · #8

Yeah, I was thinking about the 50 mm and it would be a very good lens for some of the closer shots. The f 2.8 does the job, but certainly the extra stop would help.

I did shoot a couple as you suggested below. (This was one of the things I forgot to mention). I slowed the shutter to 1/4 or so to get some dramatic movements, especially when one leg was still and the other was moving, or one dance was still and the others were moving. Those came out pretty neat as well. In fact, when I showed it to the directors they really liked them.

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

01/28/2012 08:43:47 PM · #9

Just thought I'd bump for the evening crowd. Though, based on the great responses so far, I believe I may have done all I can. :) Which, is good in the perspective that at least I "know" what I'm doing. :)

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

01/28/2012 09:23:47 PM · #10

Controlling the noise on APS-C can be quite difficult and the only real way to compensate is with fast enough glass. Surely the nifty fifty would fit the bill quite well for low light on a budget, but may feel a bit tight with the 1.6x multiplier, though having the quick focus of the 50 1.4 would also help too. I can't stress enough how important those extra stops of light will help in these types of situation. I had the Tammy 28-75 F2.8 for a long time with my Canon 30D, but still found that it would really struggle in the noise category if there wasn't just enough light. Again getting down to 1.8 would help more than you may realize and is about the quickest, easiest cheapest way to get the speed you need. Unfortunately I agree that this is a situation where the solution is going to be throwing a little bit more $ at it.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/28/2012 09:24:36 PM · #11

But given the equipment you have, you did do all you can, highest usable ISO and most wide open aperture, not sure what else you could do honestly.

tanguera

Nikon D750

01/28/2012 09:55:24 PM · #12

There is one other idea I have, now that you've go the lighting covered. If you're not afraid of heights, and if they have an A-frame ladder, I'd set it up at the front row, and take images from straight on or even slightly above. Also, if they're pretty good in formation, get down low in the wings and get shots of their feet and legs. I have also found that backstage a lot of great stuff goes on, but then you're back to the lighting nightmare. What about dressing room images?

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

01/28/2012 10:01:46 PM · #13

I used to shoot color slides for theatre during tech week. Besides what you're already doing, the camera can't ignore the dark so I would get as close as possible. On stage if possible. I remember that it was useful to attend a rehearsal or 2 before shooting, I would know where to be & where to aim my camera & when to push the button. There's a lot of split-second timing, shooting on stage. It is a LOT of fun. I hope you get a chance for a group shot, I used to love those, even get all the techies out onstage in the shot.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/28/2012 10:04:24 PM · #14

The one last thing not mentioned here is to Shoot in RAW (which I know you are already doing, but it's critical for this), and set your camera to either shutter speed priority, or manual, something like 1/60 or 1/100 depending on how fast the action is... Then you can always bring up the exposure in post, while not killing off highlights, and stop whatever motion you would like to stop..

Also, setting your white balance with a card would be a good idea, since it will make processing much more predictable and easy. :)

Message edited by author 2012-01-28 22:06:00.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

01/28/2012 10:35:37 PM · #15

Originally posted by Cory:

+1 What he said...

alexlky

01/28/2012 11:35:19 PM · #16

Your points are well said. Not quite experience in this field but I can imagine very low light if ISO3200 with f2.8 only giving exposure 1/40-50s. Adding lights as suggest by Johanna are really good points.

Most stage event shooter I know prefer front angle (center facing stage). Front position easy to get all in. Using 2 bodies wide for whole stage and tele-zoom for solo performer.