I was invited to tag along with one of the professionals who shoot the Ballet.. Painfully aware after the fact that I should have had a tripod with me - won't make that mistake twice! Still, having never been to a ballet before, I'm pleased that I was able to track the movements, get some nice compositions, emotions, lighting, etc.. Just wish there wasn't the ever-present camera shake and/or out-of-focus problem! Next time, a tripod and rent a fast "L" lens...
Dave Speicher I thought I wanted a career.. turns out I only wanted paychecks.
dlspeicher.zenfolio.com
I wouldn't despair too much Dave. This had to be a valuable learning experience and from these photos here they look pretty good. Would a higher ISO have helped?
Thanks for sharing these.
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
Perhaps, Charles.. I was at ISO-1600 (the limit on my camera) and I was shooting at 1/125 and f/4 or f/5.6 (also the lens limits).. I think the main problem was choosing the right focus points and I should have used AI Servo focus (?).. Plus, it's just not a good idea to hand-hold a 300mm lens at that speed..
Learning experience - you bet - and I'm looking forward to more opportunities!
Dave Speicher I thought I wanted a career.. turns out I only wanted paychecks.
dlspeicher.zenfolio.com
The 300mm lens was a surprise. Yes with the length and shooting at 1/125sec a tripod was surely needed. Still I like those shots you posted. Too bad no flash was allowed - that could have been a boost but I imagine it would be quite a distraction as well.
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
Apart from the last pic which seems to lack detail, this series look very good to my (admittedly inexperienced) eye. Catching the ballerina in mid air with that not so fast shutter speed seems to me a feat of magic - just love that shotb
Hope my eny is showing, as these are the sort of pics I aspire to
quietguy wrote: Have these been tweaked in software?
Apart from the last pic which seems to lack detail, this series look very good to my (admittedly inexperienced) eye. Catching the ballerina in mid air with that not so fast shutter speed seems to me a feat of magic - just love that shotb
Hope my eny is showing, as these are the sort of pics I aspire to
Just a little bump in saturation maybe.. otherwise, straight from the camera.. At these sizes, they don't look bad but full-screen when working in Photosop, I can really see the camera-shake or off-focus problems..
Cool update - even though they were out of focus or a bit blurry, the photog who invited me was impressed enough to bring me on-board for his "team" next ballet season.. In addition, there is a chance I could get the opportunity to do some web and graphic design work for the ballet company as they are looking to redesign their site and start a new marketing campaign this Summer!!
Dave Speicher I thought I wanted a career.. turns out I only wanted paychecks.
dlspeicher.zenfolio.com
Congratulations, Dave! ANd you certainly have the eye. You might try a Mmonopod on the lens, bracing it against something, and using a cable release. I've used this method shooting concerts, and it works well.
quietguy wrote: Have these been tweaked in software?
Apart from the last pic which seems to lack detail, this series look very good to my (admittedly inexperienced) eye. Catching the ballerina in mid air with that not so fast shutter speed seems to me a feat of magic - just love that shotb
Hope my eny is showing, as these are the sort of pics I aspire to
Just a little bump in saturation maybe.. otherwise, straight from the camera.. At these sizes, they don't look bad but full-screen when working in Photosop, I can really see the camera-shake or off-focus problems..
Cool update - even though they were out of focus or a bit blurry, the photog who invited me was impressed enough to bring me on-board for his "team" next ballet season.. In addition, there is a chance I could get the opportunity to do some web and graphic design work for the ballet company as they are looking to redesign their site and start a new marketing campaign this Summer!!
Congrats on the new challenge. I'm thinking you will be shooting more and more of this and honing your skills with each performance. Celebrate your accomplishments. Oh, and bring your tripod.
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
I've been not-so-stealthily ninja'd..
Yeah, I know.. I'd never been to a ballet before.. but I've always appreciated Shakespeare, classical music, maybe even an opera or two.. I thought WTH, it could lead to some work.. I can assure you I'm 100% hetero even if I did kinda enjoy the show..
Dave Speicher I thought I wanted a career.. turns out I only wanted paychecks.
dlspeicher.zenfolio.com
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