Stage photography - Post 2

[calamityjane]

I understand how hard it is when you're starting out in performing arts photography, as that is where I was 8 years ago. However, you mention a few things that make me nervous. You say the audience doesn't want you there. Of course they don't, and neither does the performer, if there's an audience in, which is why professional arts photographers largely do their work during times when there is no audience - during a tech or dress run or during a press photocall, which has been set up specifically to get the images required by the PR/press/company to accompany reviews/used for marketing. If you are being hired, as you say, by a 'press agent', then suggest to them that a separate shoot is the best way forward. I'm not sure where in the world you are, and my experience is of the UK only, so do feel free to ask me questions as to how it works here. It's what I do for a living.

 

[calamityjane]

p.s. I completely forgot to say that I wasn't going to critique your images as they are not really production shots. Go back to basics and think what you are trying to convey about the production in any image. (As you are unlikely to see the production before the shoot, this needs to happen during the edit). Remember that, most of the time, only one image from a set of hundreds will be used to accompany a review or be on a poster. That one shot needs to tell the potential audience enough, but also to intrigue, to tempt them to either read more or buy a ticket. Tell the story! Best of luck.

 

[oskiper]

I understand how hard it is when you're starting out in performing arts photography, as that is where I was 8 years ago. However, you mention a few things that make me nervous. You say the audience doesn't want you there. Of course they don't, and neither does the performer, if there's an audience in, which is why professional arts photographers largely do their work during times when there is no audience - during a tech or dress run or during a press photocall, which has been set up specifically to get the images required by the PR/press/company to accompany reviews/used for marketing. If you are being hired, as you say, by a 'press agent', then suggest to them that a separate shoot is the best way forward. I'm not sure where in the world you are, and my experience is of the UK only, so do feel free to ask me questions as to how it works here. It's what I do for a living.

I´m currently working for a site that does play critics (I don't know if that's the correct term for it. I'm from Argentina so english is not my first language) This site started in September last year, so just now I`m starting to get invited to press releases, I ´m used to go to normal shows and just shoot some pictures for the site I'm working for. Maybe that gives you a heads up on my current situation

 

[calamityjane]

Just looked up your camera - not being a Canon user, I didn't realise what problems you'd be having with it. It's an old, entry-level camera and you are using a kit lens. I realise that camera gear is expensive but you really do need the right tools for the job. As a budget option, may I suggest you buy a second hand 50mm f1.8? It'll help out in low light and will be great quality at a low price point. Back in the day, SLRs used to be sold with a 50mm as the standard ('kit') lens - I wish they still did! Also just reread your original post - Buenos Aires must be wonderful for the arts! All that dance! (I just shot a Tango show yesterday, in London - Immortal Tango, Peacock Theatre, London, Britain - 29 month 2016 | Jane Hobson | 07798 794205 | jane@janehobson.com )

 

[calamityjane]

I understand how hard it is when you're starting out in performing arts photography, as that is where I was 8 years ago. However, you mention a few things that make me nervous. You say the audience doesn't want you there. Of course they don't, and neither does the performer, if there's an audience in, which is why professional arts photographers largely do their work during times when there is no audience - during a tech or dress run or during a press photocall, which has been set up specifically to get the images required by the PR/press/company to accompany reviews/used for marketing. If you are being hired, as you say, by a 'press agent', then suggest to them that a separate shoot is the best way forward. I'm not sure where in the world you are, and my experience is of the UK only, so do feel free to ask me questions as to how it works here. It's what I do for a living.

I´m currently working for a site that does play critics (I don't know if that's the correct term for it. I'm from Argentina so english is not my first language) This site started in September last year, so just now I`m starting to get invited to press releases, I ´m used to go to normal shows and just shoot some pictures for the site I'm working for. Maybe that gives you a heads up on my current situation

Could you suggest you attend the dress rehearsal of the show? Maybe get the site you are working for to request it on your behalf?

 

[xenskhe]

I´m currently working for a site that does play critics (I don't know if that's the correct term for it. I'm from Argentina so english is not my first language)

Theater reviews/theatre reviews.

 

[xenskhe]

Can you recommend a camera with an electronic shutter?

I was looking at Olympus and Panasonic M4/3 cameras but only the most recent have it, and not at slower s/speeds, so too pricey even for a used one i assume. There are old cameras like the Oly C8080 which are silent, with good optics and color but the iso performance wouldn't cut it. The 6D was ok?

 

[oskiper]

Just looked up your camera - not being a Canon user, I didn't realise what problems you'd be having with it. It's an old, entry-level camera and you are using a kit lens. I realise that camera gear is expensive but you really do need the right tools for the job. As a budget option, may I suggest you buy a second hand 50mm f1.8? It'll help out in low light and will be great quality at a low price point. Back in the day, SLRs used to be sold with a 50mm as the standard ('kit') lens - I wish they still did! Also just reread your original post - Buenos Aires must be wonderful for the arts! All that dance! (I just shot a Tango show yesterday, in London - Immortal Tango, Peacock Theatre, London, Britain - 29 month 2016 | Jane Hobson | 07798 794205 | jane@janehobson.com )

Yeap, actually the 1100D is as basic as it gets. The only thing I have apart from the kit lens is a 55-250 macro zoom lens af 4-5.6... A 50 mm 1.8 could be good but I would never get the close-ups I currently get.

Have in mind I´m just getting started. Actually I bought my camera by June last year and started learning photography by mid September so It´s quite soon to change my camera as it´s my very first DSLR and I´ve used it just for 6 months now. I haven´t even finished my basic training!

Anyway, I´m planning to go for a 6D by the end of the year... Buenos Aires is an awesome city for arts... Imagine that I cover from 6 to 7 plays a week, I´m booked until April and I only cover a small part of the theatrical movement here

 

[oskiper]

Buenos Aires must be wonderful for the arts! All that dance! (I just shot a Tango show yesterday, in London - Immortal Tango, Peacock Theatre, London, Britain - 29 month 2016 | Jane Hobson | 07798 794205 | jane@janehobson.com )

just looked at your site... AWESOME PHOTOS!!! I love your work! You need to come here ASAP, I go to tango "milongas" every wednesday, you`d be amazed!

 

[oskiper]

Can you recommend a camera with an electronic shutter?

I was looking at Olympus and Panasonic M4/3 cameras but only the most recent have it, and not at slower s/speeds, so too pricey even for a used one i assume. There are old cameras like the Oly C8080 which are silent, with good optics and color but the iso performance wouldn't cut it. The 6D was ok?

I looked at a Sony a7 Mkii... I didn´t like how it performed under high ISO... Awesome camera anyway.

Canon 6D and Nikon D7500 are a GO! both have this quite shutter function I need and they work great under 12800 ISO, a dream come true to me... I´ve been in this world of photography for only 6 months but I`m saving my bucks for a 6D and a couple of lenses by the end of the year, this is a photo I took in November for a Gospel show in Buenos Aires when a friend lend me his 6D.

 

[oskiper]

I don`t know why i cannot upload the photo, here´s the link to it in my Flickr account

gospel-en-buenos-aires

 

[oskiper]

Could you suggest you attend the dress rehearsal of the show? Maybe get the site you are working for to request it on your behalf?

i`m starting to suggest that and in some cases I`m getting it, tomorrow is my first press release show.

The hard part is that it´s impossible to cover all the plays at that instance, as I told you earlier, There are too many plays here (I´m covering from 24 up to 28 plays a month and I`m booked until the end of April) and I wouldn´t be able to cover them all at a rehearsal.

 

[xenskhe]

I looked at a Sony a7 Mkii... I didn´t like how it performed under high ISO... Awesome camera anyway.

Canon 6D and Nikon D7500 are a GO! both have this quite shutter function I need and they work great under 12800 ISO, a dream come true to me... I´ve been in this world of photography for only 6 months but I`m saving my bucks for a 6D and a couple of lenses by the end of the year.

That's great.

 

[calamityjane]

Could you suggest you attend the dress rehearsal of the show? Maybe get the site you are working for to request it on your behalf?

i`m starting to suggest that and in some cases I`m getting it, tomorrow is my first press release show.

The hard part is that it´s impossible to cover all the plays at that instance, as I told you earlier, There are too many plays here (I´m covering from 24 up to 28 plays a month and I`m booked until the end of April) and I wouldn´t be able to cover them all at a rehearsal.

You are going about it completely wrong. The aim is not to cover as many as possible in a slapdash manner, but to do your best work for the client. You are providing a service, not going for a world record. ...

 

[xenskhe]

oskiper, you have a good eye and the heart for this kind of work. Correcting technical approach is comparatively trivial.