"Maris V. Lidaka, Sr." wrote: > My niece is performing in Chicago this weekend (Friday, so I'm looking for help >today Thursday) - a small YMCA auditorium, I don't know what the lighting will be but >I guess whatever is usual for stages. > > No flash of course: Should I use 400 speed film or faster? Bring a tripod?
Tripod or monopod essential. I do quite a bit of ballet photography and there is no "whatever is usual for stages" I have been to performances where lighting was done by professionals and to those where it has been almost non-existant. Be Prepared! I take with me a 400, but rarely have I used it for performances. My favourite is film is the Fuji HG 1600, while I would like to go for the 800 I have rarely seen stage lighting that is constant enough to actually sit there and meter it. Ballet usually gives you a spot light on the main character, if your niece is doing a solo, this will not be a problem, however, if she is part of a group she may well be in a not so well lit area of the stage. Even if she is the main character, the YMCA may not be as well to do as some and lighting may be lacking, when this is the case, I have pushed 1600 film to 3200 but for the most a 1600 and compensation by up to 3 stops is not unusual for small auditoriums. Take the 400, but I doubt you will use it, take an 800, and hope the lighting is good, take a 1600, and you will not miss the action. I like the Fugi HG as it offers substantial increases in clarity formally obtainable only by slower films. I like to use a 36 exposure roll so I can cram in as many pics as I can in a short time. I am sure there is a Kodak equiv. If this is a short part on stage, take as many pics as you can, it is often difficult to get that perfect pic, so hold down the button and spool it off. Hope some of this helps. A good tip for ballet photography is to shoot from waist heigth of the performer on stage, if you are above them you tend to loose there legs and make them look stumby, if you shoot from below waist height, it gives the impression you are "look up their dress". hope some of this helps Kind regards Kevin - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
