Theater Photography

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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Raymond
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Been asked by a friend to shoot some photographs for her practice and dress rehearsal in the next few weeks. Just wondering if anyone has done it and can offer any tips?

Current gear is

30D, 5Dii
16-35L, 24-70L, 50/1.4

Obviously I won't be able to get onto the stage, I am guessing a longer lens is needed, am thinking buying the 135L for this, as I need/wanted it for a while now. I don't think i will be using a tripod due to the bulk but might a monopod if that helps?

Any tips and advice appreciated. :thumbs:

p.s. This is unpaid :)
 
I've done loads of photography in theatres - can show you lots of examples if you want to see it. If you've been asked officially to shoot a dress rehearsal then it's a lot easier - I work for the production companies. You need high ISO - up to 3200 probably - and f2.8 glass. I use 24-70mm and 80-200mm lenses mostly. It also helps if you know the show - and know what is about to happen.
 
Yeagh I have done a couple and I am doing one next week.

Only one dress rehersal so only one night to do it.. preasure :)

I used a combination of a long lens (300mm) from back of room and a shorter lens for moving around up front.. I got most of my keepers from the 300

However next week I am taking my 135L f2 prime and hopefully get just about everyhting with that. My 300 is up for sale soon so I need to try things without it.

I didnt bother with tripod or monopod.. I moved about for different angles..

One thing.. last play I did as it was dress rehersal it was also the evening the lighting man was getting sorted and the first half of the show was in poor lighting and second half in lighting required.. terrible.. the one i am doing this week its tech night the evening before.. So you may want to look into that aspect to find out whats going on.

Remember its the one moment one chance to get the pics.. but the actors will be on stage a lot so you dont have to get every moment (thats what video is for) so long as you get them all eventualy. How many actors in the play?

Try to get some of the director and other people not actually acting.they will be more prominant on dress rehersal night... also at break.. you dont ahve a break.. you take pics of them havign there break :) .. Also be ready for the end of the play with a wide angle for when they all stand side by side and bow to the audience..

Hmm cant think of much else.. accept try to enjoy it.. but thats just cheesy :)
 
awp said:
I've done loads of photography in theatres - can show you lots of examples if you want to see it. If you've been asked officially to shoot a dress rehearsal then it's a lot easier - I work for the production companies. You need high ISO - up to 3200 probably - and f2.8 glass. I use 24-70mm and 80-200mm lenses mostly. It also helps if you know the show - and know what is about to happen.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I know that flash is out of the question so I am going to rely on the 5Dii's ISO capabilties which I trust. I have a 24-70L which i also trust, but I am wondering if a longer lens is required...

I am going to a couple of practice sessions first before the dressed rehearshal so I know the key scenes and more importantly, so that i know what is coming and get into position. But i am feeling there must be more to that.
 
A lot depends on whether it is a professional or an amateur production! Professional productions have more tech runs and probably two dress runs - so you get a better chance - and the show will be lit for the dress run. Amateurs faff about till the last minute making it harder for you!
 
KIPAX said:
Yeagh I have done a couple and I am doing one next week.

Only one dress rehersal so only one night to do it.. preasure :)

I used a combination of a long lens (300mm) from back of room and a shorter lens for moving around up front.. I got most of my keepers from the 300

However next week I am taking my 135L f2 prime and hopefully get just about everyhting with that. My 300 is up for sale soon so I need to try things without it.

I didnt bother with tripod or monopod.. I moved about for different angles..

One thing.. last play I did as it was dress rehersal it was also the evening the lighting man was getting sorted and the first half of the show was in poor lighting and second half in lighting required.. terrible.. the one i am doing this week its tech night the evening before.. So you may want to look into that aspect to find out whats going on.

Remember its the one moment one chance to get the pics.. but the actors will be on stage a lot so you dont have to get every moment (thats what video is for) so long as you get them all eventualy. How many actors in the play?

Try to get some of the director and other people not actually acting.they will be more prominant on dress rehersal night... also at break.. you dont ahve a break.. you take pics of them havign there break :) .. Also be ready for the end of the play with a wide angle for when they all stand side by side and bow to the audience..

Hmm cant think of much else.. accept try to enjoy it.. but thats just cheesy :)
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, change for the 24-70L for the end !!!! I dunno if i have time for that....might have to attach the 16-35 on the 30D and use that instead? Obviously i would have to move into position at the front of the stage, i hate walking and changing lenses at the same time.....

As for taking photos when they are having a break, that's the bit i am looking forward to actually, Candids. Would be cool to catch glimpses of the rush and chaos that goes in backstage.

I understand the 1 chance element, as I have done a few weddings so I guess the pressure is similar, probably less so as I get to at least see the practices and the lighting is constant.
 
I think you will have plenty of time to change lenses and a whole theatre practically to yourself to do it in..

One thing again is the lighting. You say you are visiting before.. the lighting on these visits wont be anything like the lighting on the night.. you will need to keep that in mind :)
 
KIPAX said:
I think you will have plenty of time to change lenses and a whole theatre practically to yourself to do it in..

One thing again is the lighting. You say you are visiting before.. the lighting on these visits wont be anything like the lighting on the night.. you will need to keep that in mind :)
Click to expand...

Right, i am guessing using center weighted metering and shoot Av...or just shooting the whole thing in M, but then risk the lighting guy changes the lighting (which he WILL), and then i will be stuffed...
 
Personally it has to be M .. the stage will have different lighting in different parts presumably.. I have only done local amatuers.. AWP may know better (more experienced advice) if its a proper production.. But AV wouldnt have done for me.. M and chimp/change as appropriate
 
KIPAX said:
Personally it has to be M .. the stage will have different lighting in different parts presumably.. I have only done local amatuers.. AWP may know better (more experienced advice) if its a proper production.. But AV wouldnt have done for me.. M and chimp/change as appropriate
Click to expand...

I think it is an amatuer production, and i don't really know how high the standards are, am going to visit them early next week for practice. Problem is that the dressed rehearsal is at a different venue !
 
awp said:
You can see some of my theatre shots on the furum here:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=166580
these were taken during a non stop dress rehearsal run.
Click to expand...

They seem to be a lot of close up/portraits (not just yours, but also on flickr), are they the norm in theater photography? As that's the feeling i get. I don't see many shots of the stage the actors are in, nor with a group of actors on the stage simultaneously.
 
i have done dress...and a most tense time
dont get in the way of the producer nor speak to the players
this is the most important time to sort it all out in dress..last chance as it were
it usually is fragmented so there are opportunities to shoot the groups when they are all having a break
do the cast group shots now..it will be too late when the show is running
no flash...quiet steps..slow movements..if possible no shutter bang whizz..
choose your times and place your self ahead of the game
and dont forget to shoot the tech team, lighting, props, costumes, scenery, gofurs and of course the director of music, musicians, and last but not least the director..when she or he is not tearing their hair out...
its a family situation and everyone is important
front of house may be there so include them as well
you wont waste a single shot...so take lots
lighting can be a problem...colours and spots..but add atmosphere anyway
any interesting props etc
i did a few shows..photos and as a musician...its a great place for raw emotions
 
mrcrow said:
i have done dress...and a most tense time
dont get in the way of the producer nor speak to the players
this is the most important time to sort it all out in dress..last chance as it were
it usually is fragmented so there are opportunities to shoot the groups when they are all having a break
do the cast group shots now..it will be too late when the show is running
no flash...quiet steps..slow movements..if possible no shutter bang whizz..
choose your times and place your self ahead of the game
and dont forget to shoot the tech team, lighting, props, costumes, scenery, gofurs and of course the director of music, musicians, and last but not least the director..when she or he is not tearing their hair out...
its a family situation and everyone is important
front of house may be there so include them as well
you wont waste a single shot...so take lots
lighting can be a problem...colours and spots..but add atmosphere anyway
any interesting props etc
i did a few shows..photos and as a musician...its a great place for raw emotions
Click to expand...

Sounds like shooting a wedding !

Thanks for the input, very useful indeed, perhaps I should tackle it like shooting a wedding.
 
Depends on the show - the one in the link above was a one man show - here's some from bigger productions - in bigger theatres:

AW5_3780.jpg


AW5_3842.jpg


AW6_3520.jpg


AWP_0038.jpg


Most companies - esp professional companies will need shots of individual actors in character (for press and publicity uses) as well as 'production' shots which show the set - lighting and cast at various stages of the show for their records of the production - future applications for funding etc!
 
Hmmm, some of those are 28mm, one is 155mm !

Obviously different theatre, but i can see a lot of lens changing going on.
 
some very low iso there AWP and I have a feeling OP will be like my venues and looking at max iso..
 
NO lens changes - I make decisions and then use two (D3) bodies. I don't usually change lenses during these shoots - do that - and you'll lose shots! I usually use auto ISO on the D3 - so it just depends on the light level in a particular scene. 3rd one down is 6400ISO !! You also have to learn to hand hold at low shutter speeds. I could show you 300mm shots at 1/50th sec that are sharp! (no VR)
 
agreed - absolutely no flash - you have to shoot the show as the lighting designer intended you to see it! :)

Remember too live theatre is not lit for the camera - so sometimes the lighting ratios are extreme and difficult for all but the best cameras to cope with.
 
a last thought...or remembrance
at the dress is the only time you will get close to the action so treat it as the main feature
when the curtain goes up you wont be able to ponce around taking pr shots

the video guys get that time to do the recording as they are ...more important
 
awp said:
NO lens changes - I make decisions and then use two (D3) bodies. I don't usually change lenses during these shoots - do that - and you'll lose shots! I usually use auto ISO on the D3 - so it just depends on the light level in a particular scene. 3rd one down is 6400ISO !! You also have to learn to hand hold at low shutter speeds. I could show you 300mm shots at 1/50th sec that are sharp! (no VR)
Click to expand...

Guess i'll have 30D with 50/1.4 (or 70-200 or 135)
5D with 24-70 most of the time then for the practice

See how that goes, and if i find myself using the 30D more then i'll swap lenses.
 
.and let's see what you get! Good luck!
 
I cover the dress rehearsal nights of several local amdram companies.

A quick word with the director or stage manager beforehand should give some clues for cruicial scenes.

One of the groups I cover performs in the round, that is to say that the audience surround the acting area. This means I have to cover 4 shows simultaneously as each side of the audience is seeing a different show.

I find for what I do that a 50mm prime is good as I can run this fairly wide open and drop the ISO, and the other body has my 24-105 L. I find the range good for what I do, and IS helps counteract F4. A 24-105L f/2.8 would be ideal!

Get a group shot afterwards.

I don't use flash, but I have the flash on board and use it as a focus assist lamp which helps as the lighting can be dim and the added contrast helps.

The groups that have a proper set can be run at lower ISO as much more light is reflected towards you. The group that acts in the round has lights high up punching down and reflecting up. Find I have to run a couple of extra ISO stops for this group.
 
andrewc said:
I don't use flash, but I have the flash on board and use it as a focus assist lamp which helps as the lighting can be dim and the added contrast helps.
Click to expand...

excellent advice, I use this a lot for gigs and other tricky focusing situations, remember only works in one shot AF ;)
 
Wow.. I was just about to post a thread asking exactly the same Q.. cool.

I may possibly be shooting a dress rehearsal for a amateur dramatics production that a work colleague is performing in...

I only have a mkI 5D a 24-70 f2.8L and a 50mm f1.4.. with the possibility to hire other lenses if need be...

Do you think the 5D will cope using iso values of 1600 and below??
 
onform said:
Do you think the 5D will cope using iso values of 1600 and below??
Click to expand...

Honestly theres no way anyone can answer that because the lighting is so different at different venues.. there really is no way of knowing... But best guess (given that its local amatuer) is you will need iso 1600 min and not max...
 
Thanks to a Scaggs, I shall have a 70-200 2.8 for this! :thumbs:

Yay !!!! I am now much more relieved !!!

Think i'll have the 70-200 for the actual play, and then swap it to the 24-70 during the break. :)
 
onform said:
Wow.. I was just about to post a thread asking exactly the same Q.. cool.

I may possibly be shooting a dress rehearsal for a amateur dramatics production that a work colleague is performing in...

I only have a mkI 5D a 24-70 f2.8L and a 50mm f1.4.. with the possibility to hire other lenses if need be...

Do you think the 5D will cope using iso values of 1600 and below??
Click to expand...

Possibly.

Depends entirely on the set, the lighting rig and the lighting design and the design of the building.

Modernish purpose built theatres or drama studios will have a high ceiling and the lights high up. This allows them to punch down and create pools of light without casting shadows backwards which can project on the set. These then require lamps placed as 'shadow chasers' to counteract this.

Theatres built into exisiting buildings, eg schools or village halls have lights much lower down, pointing at the stage, and if these have a box set then a surprising amount gets bounced back and around. If its a bright show, with a bright set you may find you can get away with iso400.

At the show earlier in the week I was going from ISO 800 for a fairly bright scene to 3200 for a very dim scene. High up lights, no set, dark props, dark floor so not much reflected towards the camera.

Shoot in RAW for maximum tweakability. Personally I prefer the warm tinge you often get from stage lights but this can be adjusted afterwards to suit.
 
onform said:
Wow.. I was just about to post a thread asking exactly the same Q.. cool.

I may possibly be shooting a dress rehearsal for a amateur dramatics production that a work colleague is performing in...

I only have a mkI 5D a 24-70 f2.8L and a 50mm f1.4.. with the possibility to hire other lenses if need be...

Do you think the 5D will cope using iso values of 1600 and below??
Click to expand...

The 5D performs well even on 3200ISO, i wouldn't worry about it :)
 
Looks like fun! Not the sort of picture I was expecting! Let's see more!
 
awp said:
Looks like fun! Not the sort of picture I was expecting! Let's see more!
Click to expand...

It's a musical take on the Full Monty! What's hard is that because of that there are lots of singing and dance numbers, and in groups too. So at times last night i had to resort to my 16-35 as i was back against the wall behind the Director. Will definitely need 2 cameras, 1 with 24-70, one with 70-200 on it for the head shots..


image2838.jpg


image2909.jpg


image2669.jpg


Just mucking around

image2792.jpg
 
These are nice - but that's the rehearsal space surely - they performance will be in a different venue - no? You did very well with what looks like pretty cr*ppy lighting.
 
Yeah, the lighting was crap, 1000 ISO can only get me 1/30th really and I found that to be too slow as they are dancing, resulted in lots of blur limbs.

There are a few technical practice next week, with full on lighting at the actual stage, should be really useful to see the limit of my kit then.
 
A bit confused.. is this play being held in a school maybe? Are will it be performed in a proper theatre? I dont mean a school stage..
 
That looks quite a modern place.. theres a gallery onsite and looking at thye pictures its a big modern stage.. i wouldnt worry about the amount of light available there :)

You could always contact james mason who supplied the pics from recent events for the gallery... he would know better than anyone on here :)
 
Lighting in previous shows in that theatre look pretty good - you should have no problems at all! :)
 
a good start...getting to know the cast and producer..
whats the show?
 
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