In need of advice

Tumbleweed.

Tumbleweed.

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Tumbleweed
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Movement in low light from a distance

I'm in need of some advice. This is probably a stupid question but my partner is a drummer in a band. I went to see him play and wanted to take some pics however he was too far away (at the back of the band) for the flash to work, the lighting was low and he was moving about playing the drums. All I got was very dark or blurred images. Is there any type of setting/camera/technique which would allow me to get a decent shot? :thinking:

Apologies if this is a really dumb question. :shrug:
 
Not a stupid question at all. However you are asking for something that is quite difficult (ie expensive)

basically without long fast glass you're going to have problems. (ie f/2.8 or so on a 200mm - depending how far away you are).

I would think about a set of cheap wireless triggers and a cheap flash with a knocked up stand.

Do a bit of experimentation about where to position it to get a decent shot of him (under his seat councing off a drum? through a drum?) and then get him to put it in that position on the night.

You'll still need a decent length, but that will at least give you light on him. You could also think about coloured gels on the flash.

I'd buy a cheap flash for this because you dont want a good one getting smashed on the set.

experiment at home in the dark (ohh-err misses!) because you'll need to use manual mode, start as wide an aperture as possible and speed 1/200 or longer. If you can set up a similar distance then you can sort out. Dont go faster than your camera sync speed or 1/200 because you'll miss the flash. experiment with apertures.


Other options are to get closer with a nifty fifty (50mm f/1.8) or similar.
 
Cheapest option - get a small construction lamp on a stand and stick it to the front of him. You can always move it so it's not too bright to spoil the atmosphere and play with W/B and colours in PP afterwards.

He'd probably appreciate it anyway because it will mean the audience can actually see him :)
 
AndyB said:
Cheapest option - get a small construction lamp on a stand and stick it to the front of him. You can always move it so it's not too bright to spoil the atmosphere and play with W/B and colours in PP afterwards.

He'd probably appreciate it anyway because it will mean the audience can actually see him :)
Click to expand...

and the heat from the lamp will keep him nice and warm too :lol:
 
Thank you for the advice! It is very much appreciated.

I'm afraid my camera is a small digital Samsung. As I'm a novice I'm going to have to get a book and read the info on TP to grasp things and practice a lot (also a lottery win would come in handy to purchase equipment) but I'll learn as I go along. Everyone on TP is so friendly and helpful :thumbs: - thank you!
 
Flash In The Pan said:
and the heat from the lamp will keep him nice and warm too :lol:
Click to expand...

He's a drummer - he's supposed to sweat. It's his job :)

Seriously though I've played under stage lights many times and the heat is just something you have to get used to. All I'm suggesting here is to augment existing lighting where there isn't enough of the real thing.
 
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