For many photographers, shooting inside the theater can be a
problem. Just because the only thing a photographer can control is a camera.
You will encounter a whole series of difficulties, for example, with poor
lighting, dancers moving at high speed, the need to re-configure the camera
differently each time during the show due to contrasting lighting changes, the
prohibition on the use of flash, and the restriction of your movements in the
theater during the show.
Some of the points below may not be relevant or available to
you if you attend the performance as an audience, as the article is designed
for the case when you are invited by the organizers as a photographer to the
event.
How to Take Pictures in the Theater
Shooting preparation
Explore the soil for work
The instruction for all professional photographers before
shooting is to understand the ground for work and know what to expect. This can
be done by visiting the location (if allowed) or searching the Internet for
other photographs in the same place to study the appearance of the theater and
the situation in general.
It is advisable to attend the dress rehearsal before the
performance (usually the photographer can do this for free), if possible. So
you not only get acquainted with the theater, but also find out what exactly
the artists will perform and what is the sequence of stages of the performance.
You will be better prepared to find out which shots are best done and where you
should be at what moment to be ready for such a shoot. Take this opportunity
and talk with the organizer about which places are reserved for the
photographer or which ones you prefer. On the seats for shooting will be
discussed in the technical part on.
Settings: f / 2.8, 1/125, ISO 1600
Choosing a place (if you have one)
The shooting location reflects the quality of the work that
you will perform on assignment. Most theaters can accommodate hundreds or even
thousands of spectators at different heights. It will be very convenient for
you if you can be located at ground level, a few rows from the stage, right in
the middle. Below are explanations of some of the problems you may encounter in
different places.
·
On the balcony
·
Cons: too far from the
stage, the shooting angle is not perpendicular to the dancers.
·
First row of seats
·
Cons: too close to the scene.
·
Side seat
Cons: the shooting angle is not perpendicular to the
dancers, there are too many distractions in the photographs (sometimes you can
see the dancers backstage before going on stage).
The ideal place to shoot the performance would be at ground
level, a few rows from the stage, right in the middle.
Type of equipment required
Based on the foregoing, you can find out what equipment you
need for shooting.
Flash
Since it’s forbidden to use the flash during the show on
most shows, you may not include it during the show but still carry it (you can
use it for group photography at the end of the show). The use of LED lighting
is also suitable for shooting after the show.
Camera
In such difficult conditions, a camera capable of operating
at high ISO values without excessive noise is preferred. Photographer Ray
Toh, whose shots are presented in the article, usually uses the Canon 5D Mark
II, as well as the Sony 7R for such tasks.
The lenses
The most important piece of equipment that you need after
understanding all of the above is the right lens for shooting in the theater.
It is recommended that you use the zoom lens in order to be able to reach the
scene in the frame and get close-ups of dancers. A lens with the ability to
wide open the aperture is preferable in low light conditions. Read more about
this in the next section. The aforementioned photographer usually has 70-200 mm
f / 2.8 on Canon and 16-35 mm f / 2.8 on Sony 7R for wide-angle shooting.
Tripod / Monopod
This is an interesting topic, since in most theaters it is
forbidden to mount a tripod , only subject to the approval of the organizers.
If you are given a seat for shooting, it will be quite difficult to control the
tripod, and leg space will be limited. You can use a monopod for such tasks in
order to save your energy and nerves.
Camera Settings: f / 2.8, 1/30, ISO 1000
Camera Settings: f / 3.2, 1/500, ISO 2500
Know your gear inside
Shooting in a theater is like sports photography. If you
miss a moment, it disappears without a trace, and you will no longer have a
second chance. Always be prepared and anticipate what will happen.
Explore your camera from the inside, all its functions that
you want to use and configure during shooting. Know all commonly used features
such as setting ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc. You can use AV (aperture
priority) and control ISO if you need a higher shutter speed. Each camera in
its own way processes ISO and minimizes noise. Know the limit of your camera,
for example, in the 5D MarkII camera to set more than 5000 ISO is not worth it.
Camera Settings: f / 2.8, 1/200, ISO 800
Conclusion
The main technique for shooting such pictures is to choose
the right ISO value for a shot with the correct shutter speed, depending on the
speed of the dancer. The picture on the stage is developing very quickly, and
you need to adjust the camera according to what happens at a particular moment
on the stage so that you can capture the desired frame.
You should first focus on a stationary object on the stage
before the dancers appear from behind the curtains. This only works if you
attended the rehearsal and know what the show represents. Finally, always shoot
in RAW format at such events so that when post-processing the white balance can
still be adjusted.
Camera Settings: f / 4, 1 / 250th, ISO 1600
Camera Settings: f / 2.8, 1/320, ISO 1600
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