Need advice on current photo gig

[j.r.burtonphoto]

I'm shooting a ballet tomorrow, a nightmare before christmas lol, but due to lack of fund I will not be able to rent a lens so I will be using the 3 I have.
My gear is:

nikon D300 and backup D3100
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GVR nikkor
50mm f/1.8D nikkor
55-200mm f/4-5.6GIF-ED Af-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor
SB-700 though i wont be able to use any flash
Manfrotto 055XPROB 3-Section Tripod w/ 322RC2 Ballhead

My main issue is with not getting enough blur behind my target. The prime 50mm at f/2-2.4 does the job but the other 2 lenses cant get past 3.5 (only on 1 at that). So without renting or buying new lenses any advice. Also having my lights forbidden from me, what is some advice for getting in focus shots etc. Pretty much any advice for anyone who has done a ballet or other stage performance! Thanks for your time!
-J.R.
J.R. Burton Photography | Facebook

 

[Kerbouchard]

You are shooting a ballet? As in you have stage access, front row access, etc? Or you are going to a ballet and taking photos? How far away will you be? Can you use a tripod? All of that plays into lens selection.

As far as general advice, time the shots so that the performer is at the peak of their action or completely still. Note that spotlights or other stage lights will throw your exposure meter off from shot to shot.

 

[o hey tyler]

Do you know what the lighting is like? Do you know what you are going to be able to expose at for f/5.6? If not, I'd venture to guess that unless there is a lot of natural light, you are going to want to stick almost exclusively to your 50mm f/1.8. If there is any way you can get out of this event, I'd suggest that. As renting a lens would probably be vital to this. Since you didn't rent a lens, I also hope you didn't charge them. Because you should have at least worked that into the price.

Your main issue isn't getting enough blur behind the performers, it should be exposing properly and composing well. You're at a distinct disadvantage gear-wise, so focus on the fundamentals before you get crazy with background blur with a 50mm on a DX camera at approximately 20-30 feet. Don't even worry about that.

 

[j.r.burtonphoto]

as for stage access, its dress rehearsal tomorrow so i get full access around and allowed to use tripod.

 

[j.r.burtonphoto]

i just looked at the local camera shops renting section on website and found this :
Nikon 70-200 2.8 lens
$45 looks like im in luck

 

[Kerbouchard]

i just looked at the local camera shops renting section on website and found this :
Nikon 70-200 2.8 lens
$45 looks like im in luck

Sounds like a plan. I would still bring the flash and the tripod. You don't have to use the flash during the rehearsal, but there may be some off time when it will come in handy.

 

[MLeeK]

I was going to say find a photog friend to borrow from? The tirpod might not do you any good with blur-ballet is motion, however it will DEFINITELY help with the weight of that 70-200. That sucker is HEAVY!

 

[j.r.burtonphoto]

i was going to say even if i didnt rent the lens i would just get on my knees near the stage and get shots from all around it since im allowed to go where i want luckily

and also, at o hey tyler, i wouldnt get out of a gig the day of, since like i said, its tomorrow.

 

[DiskoJoe]

rent the 70-200. You can also try getting some intentional motion blur shots during the dress rehearsal.

 

[KmH]

It takes a day or so to get familiar with a lens you've not used before, and to use unfamiliar shooting techniques.

With the 70-200mm you will get the best DoF with the lens at 200 mm, because the apparent background compression magnifies background elements so they look larger and more OOF.

Many don't realise that at longer focal lengths, as long as subject scale in the image frame remains constant relative to shorter focal lengths by being further from the subject, DoF is exactly the same for both the long and the short focal length. But, that apparent backgrond compression the longer focal length gives works much better for the selective focus technique of a having a shallow DoF.

 

[gsgary]

as for stage access, its dress rehearsal tomorrow so i get full access around and allowed to use tripod.

Leave you tripod at home it is of no use but if you are shooting ballet you should know that

 

[n.hubb22]

Pretty much everything you do will hinge on how the stage is lit. I recently shot two concerts, one was primarily back lit, and the other was barely lit at all. Both very difficult shoots. My only suggestion i can give you is to find where you need to be with your shutter speed & apeture so as to eliminate motion blur (unless you're shooting for that effect). Watch out with your 50mm cuz the DOF on that sucker is paper thin wide open. I would suggest staying somewhere in the 2-2.8 range, that lens is nice enough where you will get good results even if you're shooting in crappy lighting. With both of my previous shoots i spent most of my time shooting at 1/40-1/80 shutter, with the same 50mm 1.8 lens. You'll get some good shots, but i suggest shooting more than you normally would in a well-lit situation. Good luck, and post some results!

 

[CCericola]

The 50mm will work fine. the 70-200 won't hurt you but if you can't get it you can still get great shots: