Live Theater Photography

[rocknRev4Christ]

Hello All! This is my first time posting. I have taken up the hobby of photography (for now just a hobby) and have a scenerio and then a question.

Scenerio: I am sitting in an audience watching a live show with people and/or object on a stage that uses many different colored lights. Some flashing and some spotlight with diff colors. It is pretty much dark out in the audience with the stage lit with all different types of lighting.

My question: What is the best settings to have my digital camera on? (And for those who are curious, I own a Nikon CoolPix L110 digital camera. No, it is not an slr or a dslr but functions great for what I am using it for. I will upgrade sometime down the road.)

Thanx for reading.

[jdepould]

If you've got a P (program auto) mode, I'd probably go with that, or sports mode if it doesn't reduce quality. Whatever you do, MAKE SURE you have the flash locked on off ... unless it's like a third grade musical or something, then it might be OK in moderation.

[inkista]

That's a tough situation. But if it were me, I'd zoom all the way out (getting the widest view possible, and the largest aperture possible), up the iso to at least 400, and turn the flash off. And then hope I get a shutter speed fast enough that everything isn't all motion blurred. If I'm not, I'd keep increasing the ISO until I couldn't stand the noise any more.

[rocknRev4Christ]

I forgot to say thank you when I came and checked on my threat. The next time we are in that situation, I will try as you suggested. We go in about a week and a half or there abouts. If you like, I might be able to post some pics to show you how it went?

[mtyler]

I have a Cannon EOS 7D and took some TERRIBLE pics during a theater rehearsal. Thanks for the info on P setting, turning the internal flash off and kicking the ISO up until the noise got to me. Made a world of difference!! Glad I found this site!

Mike

[inkista]

You're welcome. If you have a camera where you can change lenses, the other piece of advice is: get a long fast prime. The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, or EF 100mm f/2 USM are the lower-cost candidates. The EF 135mm f/2L USM would be the high-cost one.

I love my 135L for shooting panels at Comic-Con.


Canon XT/350D. EF 135mm f/2L USM. iso 1600, f/2, 1/250s.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by mtyler

I have a Cannon EOS 7D and took some TERRIBLE pics during a theater rehearsal. Thanks for the info on P setting, turning the internal flash off and kicking the ISO up until the noise got to me. Made a world of difference!! Glad I found this site!

Mike

You may also want to dial in some negative EV compensation, especially if the background is dark. Theatrical lighting can confuse the camera's meter sometimes, causing it to blow out highlights.