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12/10/2009 02:53:53 PM · #1 |
I started photography about this time last year, and i have won a couple of photographic competitons so far...
I have to shoot an orchestra during their rehearsal, and i don't know where to start!
Anyone have any ideas?
I have a
- sony a350
with:
- 18-70mm lens
- 70-300mm lens |
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12/10/2009 03:09:37 PM · #2 |
How close are you going to be? If you will be reasonably close, the 18-70 is the one to use. If you will be far away, you will have to judge. Far away will be more difficult. Normally the camera will tend to expose based on all the darkness in the concert hall and the highlights on the stage will be blown. I'd suggest using spot metering.
A moderate ISO of 400 will probably help. If your camera can produce good pics at 800, you can even go that far. Even if you are fairly close, that is still a low light situation. Can you use a tripod or at least a monopod? |
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12/10/2009 03:12:32 PM · #3 |
| It will be during the rehearsal, so the light will be good and i can effectively get as close as i like. I will be playing in the orchestra and i know the conductor, so in that sense i have a lot of choice! |
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12/10/2009 03:29:28 PM · #4 |
You can also try taking several shots and stitching them together. 
This was an impromptu handheld series, but with a tripod and panning head you should be able to do better -- if it's a rehersal, you might even be able to get everyone to sit still for a minute while to take the shots. |
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12/10/2009 03:31:19 PM · #5 |
If you have the time, go and scout out the place. See if someone can set the lights, how they will be for practice. Take some test shots and try different positions. If not go early and do the same. Once you get your general settings, It will put you more at ease. Then it's just adding the human element.
Do try lots of different angles and spots. Is there a balcony? A high up shot, could be interesting. Just bring a tripod for sure. Oh and maybe bring a six foot ladder. I'm not sure how the orchestra is set up. But it could give you an interesting perspective.
If you do, just have it set in position before the rehearsal starts. Nothing like a banging ladder, in the middle of practice! lol
So I imagine the goal is a group shot? |
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12/10/2009 04:35:45 PM · #6 |
I play cello in the local (cape cod) community orchestra. When a photographer came to one of our rehearsals he grabbed a chair to stand on. The best shots (well, best out of the ones that got published anyway) seemed to have been shot when he was standing on the chair, on either side of the conductor. Hope this helps. Personal opinion.. I think you should try and get photographs that include the French horns, since they are such great looking instruments... What instrument do you play?
Message edited by author 2009-12-10 16:36:38. |
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12/10/2009 04:45:49 PM · #7 |
forget the french horns -- they are all weird.
the trumpet section, though small, is the mighty section, the best section, the supreme overlords of all that is music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:P :P :P :P |
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12/10/2009 05:13:17 PM · #8 |
| I'm a trombonist! So I LOL! I agree...the French horns are wierd!! Thanks fir the advice so far! I might try standing on a chair on the conductors podium...(don't worry...he's a mate) and try some "birds eye" view shots! |
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12/10/2009 06:05:30 PM · #9 |
| I used to play the Cello. The best group shots were shot from higher up (our photographer routinely had us in the "pit" area while he was on stage. It is possible to get to high though. One year we all looked like we were looking for superman. That year he decided to do it outside while he stood on the ticket office roof. |
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12/10/2009 06:53:17 PM · #10 |
here's some tips:
1) write up a shot list first. look online, look at other publications, look wherever to get some inspiration in order to come up with a list of shots you would like to try to get. then organize that list as to how to shoot it; actually diagram it out as to locations and lenses.
2) you will most likely have to shoot at the highest iso your camera allows before noise becomes an issue. next, you will most likely be shooting at the widest aperture that your lenses will allow. then you'll have to determine if the shutter is fast enough for you to get your shots handheld, or if you'll need a tripod or monopod or something to hold your camera. you might find that some of the shots you want are simply impossible with the gear you have; if so, bump the iso and hope for the best. you'll probably find that you have reasonable light (i'm usually pleasantly surprised, especially when everyone's wearing white). just make sure you check your histograms and make adjustments accordingly; the variance in lighting and backgrounds can really throw off your camera's light meter.
3) don't just focus on the big picture. make sure to take lots of shots of faces, hands, and instruments.
4) if you're worried about color cast and you aren't sure about setting a custom white balance, try shooting in RAW+jpg L (if your camera allows). if you don't feel comfortable shooting RAW, just shoot in AWB and do the best you can in post, even if it means converting everything to BW.
5) when you're done, use something like fotofusion to make a fun collage
have fun, good luck! |
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12/10/2009 07:10:27 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by karmat:
the trumpet section, though small, is the mighty section, the best section, the supreme overlords of all that is music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
You have just earned a couple more Cool Points from me... |
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12/10/2009 07:32:34 PM · #12 |
| I definitely agree with height. The higher you get the more differentiation there will be between rows and they won't just be heads (or partial heads) behind stands of music. I'm guessing you will be shooting wide angle for at least the whole orchestra shots. You don't have to worry about hand held speeds that much as you will get motion blur far before you get hand blur at 18mm (if you hold the camera decently). |
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12/10/2009 07:36:50 PM · #13 |
I would use a handgranade instead of a shooting weapong to shoot and orchestra. Ho ho ho ho ho ha ha ha ha ha...
I would think it is easier to shoot in RAW and use the raw converter to tweak WB and such instead of PP everything. A useless tip, but I had to add something to my lame joke... |
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12/10/2009 08:37:26 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by karmat:
forget the french horns -- they are all weird. |
HEY, I play French horn! We are mellow, intelligent, sophisticated even... whereas trumpets are better suited to play taps (all 4 notes) or signal fox hunts! |
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