Taking photos in low light

[KatiaMarie]

I've got an assignment for our school newspaper, and I've got to take photos at a talent show, and it's going to be dark. I'm not sure what the best way to do low-light photography in this case, and I feel that a flash may distract people from what's going on and possibly create glare and such that would be distracting in the photo. In this case, would it be better to shoot in RAW? Any tips on this welcome.

[zespri]

I took stage photos a few weeks ago after only just getting my camera, and completely botched them up. If I were to do it again, I would:

a) use a tripod as the shutter is sometimes open longer than I can hold still
b) open the aperture up wide, assuming I'm focusing on one person and not a big group (due to depth of field). I imagine you won't want shutter speeds too slow if people are moving around, though if they are keeping still you could slow the shutter down to get some more light in
c) take some practice shots! I wish I'd had time to do that, to get a handle on which focus mode would work best, metering, white balance, etc.

But as you said, shooting in raw will hopefully be a good backstop for you in case it goes awry. If possible, shoot in both formats so you can review as you go, to make sure what you are doing is working.

[oldwolf]

shoot in raw.
lowest f/stop possible (large aperture)
high ISO (800 or so?)

and everything else zespri said.

[damienfranco]

Definetly shoot in raw. You're pictures are going to come out dark without the flash.

The tripod is a great idea as well because you'll need a slower shutter speed.

As wide open as you can and as high an iso that your camera will do without producing too much noise.

Hope you have a fast lens.

If you don't, consider renting one.

[chireau]

I think show and theatrical photography is a world of it's own, and im honestly not really used to it.

I think people did cover it well in other posts before me. You should try most if not all of these advices first since from what I know it's how most people do this kind of photography. Especially trying it before the actual shoot.

That said, I still think there is room and possible advantages to using flash during this kind of event. And it could be done in a manner or moment that would be less distracting to them. Say during a performer outro!

I would try ambient balancing to complement and make pop the actual lighting (you dont want to knock it with strong strobes, and just disapoint technicians who worked that lighting), and bring up the performer with flash and light modifiers (to make sure you dont get unwanted shadows/highlights).

That said, it does poses some technical issues (proximity, availuable light, and others usual choices you need to make in such environnement). Probably traveling light is one of such concerns (you dont want to hit people with a large tripod when looking for your seat in a theater).

But remember flash can seize a subject indipendently of shutter speed (well, usually 1/250 being the fastest speed, but it aint a concern in this case). Hence, you can use slower shutter speed for ambient and flash to seize action and bring back the subject and use gel to color correct as wished.


Have fun!

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by KatiaMarie

I've got an assignment for our school newspaper, and I've got to take photos at a talent show, and it's going to be dark. I'm not sure what the best way to do low-light photography in this case, and I feel that a flash may distract people from what's going on and possibly create glare and such that would be distracting in the photo. In this case, would it be better to shoot in RAW? Any tips on this welcome.

Shooting RAW will allow more options in term of color correction and tweaking the exposure on postprocessing so I feel this is a good idea.

Take more than one storage card and be careful not to shoot until full, if the last faile does not have enough space to record it can corrupt the card an spoil a night of photographic work (I like to put a fresh card in when I have about ten or so photos left).

Recharge all your batteries the day of the event to assure you have several spares to call up when needed.

You want to take your "fastest" lens - those with the biggest maximum aperture - to give you more flexibility under the low light condition.

If you have access to an external flash, it will give you more "flash reach" than the built in one. Which ever one you decide to use, set the mode to second curtain, this will help you get a sharper subject.

For close work, an external flash with a diffuser device can produce very pleasant results for handheld shots.

A tripod is certainly an option, a monopod can also be considered since it offers better mobility on a smaller space.

Just a few ideas for your consideration, hope this helps.

[Wombat]

I do shoot sometimes in jazz club without flash light and i have to admit that it is not too easy.
If possible use bright lens - 50mm/f1.4 is great in low light. And as the other members did say, take some "try" shots, and remember the white balance adjustments. High ISO give noise, but if this happen you can convert to B&W shots (they give a nice contrast).
Hope it helps

Wombat

[wulf]

Find out what the lighting will be. A lot of venues I have visited (and played at) have very poor lighting with the overall room being dim and lights being set behind the performers. If there is a lighting rig set up to illuminate the performers faces it will be much easier than if it is just set up to light the stage!

A fast lens is very useful as is a tripod (you can use a lower shutter speed to get the necessary light - a little bit of motion blur on the performers can add to the sense of movement and activity if the rest of the picture is sharp).

Wulf