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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> School Play Photograph, advice please
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Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
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 05/02/2005 01:33:20 AM · #1
Ok here is my predicament. I took over 250 pictures of my son’s school play last night. I have to go through and pick out the best 50 pictures and edit them. This is my first try at this with a dSLR and want to know if I am heading in the right direction. I know the photograph needs a little tilt and other tweaks but my question is on lighting and color and sharpness. I don't want to do all 50 and find out I was doing it wrong. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.
This picture was taken with a canon 70-200mm f/4 “L” lens at full zoom with all lights off in the auditorium except the stage. I was about 100 ft away from the stage and a pain getting the ISO, SS, and Aperture set close enough not to show much motion blur yet have enough lighting.
05/02/2005 01:59:42 AM · #2
One bump, anyone?
 05/02/2005 02:03:34 AM · #3
Overall I like it. You've done the hard part when taking picture of school plays---getting the white balance to show white as white. Personally I don't do a lot of post processing (don't have PS), but this looks good to me.

Message edited by author 2005-05-02 05:44:18.
 05/02/2005 02:06:10 AM · #4
I am no expert but they look nice and crisp, considering the light and lens you have done well. I have the Nikon 28-200 and it tends to be a little on the dark side.

I work tech support for one of the largest schools systems in the US and I am know the school will be thrilled.

Good luck picking just 50

Karen
05/02/2005 04:30:36 AM · #5
What play is it? It almost looks like "The Royals."
 05/02/2005 05:01:51 AM · #6
Originally posted by NovaTiger:
What play is it? It almost looks like "The Royals."

Play name was: "Murder in the Heir" a 1 1/2 long play. The students did a great job. My son had the main roll having to play two character.
 05/02/2005 05:12:23 AM · #7
With my limited knowledge, the lighting, color and sharpness look great. The colors are very vibrant and the focus very crisp. I am sure that the school and the kids as well, will be excited to receive shots like this. In the past I have taken shots of events for the school and the kids love it as well when you give them a photo or two. I think if all your shots are like this you will have a hard time choosing only 50. Great work and congratulations to your son for his part.. Hope this was helpful. Renee :)
 05/02/2005 05:15:13 AM · #8
Originally posted by Kekiinani:
With my limited knowledge, the lighting, color and sharpness look great. The colors are very vibrant and the focus very crisp. I am sure that the school and the kids as well, will be excited to receive shots like this. In the past I have taken shots of events for the school and the kids love it as well when you give them a photo or two. I think if all your shots are like this you will have a hard time choosing only 50. Great work and congratulations to your son for his part.. Hope this was helpful. Renee :)


Thank you and everyone else that has offered the advice and comments.
Scott W.
 05/02/2005 05:29:47 AM · #9
Originally posted by SDW65:
Ok here is my predicament. I took over 250 pictures of my son’s school play last night. I have to go through and pick out the best 50 pictures and edit them. This is my first try at this with a dSLR and want to know if I am heading in the right direction. I know the photograph needs a little tilt and other tweaks but my question is on lighting and color and sharpness. I don't want to do all 50 and find out I was doing it wrong. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.
This picture was taken with a canon 70-200mm f/4 “L” lens at full zoom with all lights off in the auditorium except the stage. I was about 100 ft away from the stage and a pain getting the ISO, SS, and Aperture set close enough not to show much motion blur yet have enough lighting.


Looks good to me, much better than the ones I took recently. Just a word about this particular shot, though- I don't feel that we see enough of the actors' faces. The sharpness and colour look good.
 05/02/2005 05:45:49 AM · #10
Image looks great, very little needed. One word of advise. If you have any thoughts of selling any of your images to students...get the money up front. When I first got into photography, I photographed a school play. The pictures came out great. Lots of orders including on very large one from the family of the leading lady. Once the prints were all ready, there was no money to be found. Ever since, I at least get enough down-payment to cover expenses. Good luck!
 05/02/2005 01:23:19 PM · #11
Originally posted by ClickNSee:
Image looks great, very little needed. One word of advise. If you have any thoughts of selling any of your images to students...get the money up front. When I first got into photography, I photographed a school play. The pictures came out great. Lots of orders including on very large one from the family of the leading lady. Once the prints were all ready, there was no money to be found. Ever since, I at least get enough down-payment to cover expenses. Good luck!


Thanks for the advice and comments everyone. There are going to be free to the Drama club. I want at least two picture [scenes] with each actor/actress in it. That way the students can have a picture or two of themselves. However I do plan to have a after school shoot if possible with all cast and crew including the drama teacher posed on the steps of the auditorium in there drama shirts, they all match in the color yellow. My plan is tho get a shot with a POV from low to high so to get the complete front of the Auditorium, people, the Drama mask [build into the wall above the doors -72 years old and about 4'x4' all in the picture. I want to do a lot of PS/CS on this one including putting the name of the play on it and giving it the mood of the play. If I am able to do that I will give the school one for there collection of sports, drama, etc. activities they put in the show case at the main entrance of the school but do plan to sell them to the parents if they wish to have one.
05/02/2005 01:45:46 PM · #12
I shoot a lot of plays and would be happy to have the level of crispness you have here. In fact, I am jealous - good work! As for capturing the players' faces, it is a crap shoot. The only way to do it for sure is to attend a dress rehersal where you can photograph from anywhere off stage and then run around like mad.

Finally, should you decide to make some money on the side, heed ClickNSee's words. I do and it has made me happier.

Originally posted by ClickNSee:
Image looks great, very little needed. One word of advise. If you have any thoughts of selling any of your images to students...get the money up front. When I first got into photography, I photographed a school play. The pictures came out great. Lots of orders including on very large one from the family of the leading lady. Once the prints were all ready, there was no money to be found. Ever since, I at least get enough down-payment to cover expenses. Good luck!
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