 Sharon Sawyer |
Outdoor Nativity Pageant I hope to go to an outdoor nativity pageant and would like to know if anyone can give me some tips. I already know to use my tripod and wear warms clothes... it is the Great White North who know.. eh. LOL Please give me a tip or two and I'll consider that my Christmas present from you. :) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to whoever reads this. May you receive heaven's best!!!
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Nancy Marie Ricketts |
Take some extra camera batteries with you and keep them in your pocket (preferably zippered pocket close to your body. Also, carry, in case you need one, a cover for your camera and lens, like a rain cover, or you can use a plain shower cap, to keep the rain, snow, sleet, freezing fog out, when you are not shooting. If you are going to be shooting, you could cut a whole the shape of the front of your lens, put a rubber band on to hold it in place, which will help to keep rain, etc. out. Wear as many layers as you are comfortable with, including a warm hat. If you do not own a pair of polartech gloves-you can purchase some inexpensive ones at national brand stores--, cut just the tips of the fingers of the right glove off that you will need to operate your camera. Lastly, take someone with you, if possible-safety in numbers; cell phone if possible; don't leave home without telling a family member, good friend, where you will be and what time you are expecting to be back. Have Fun!
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Sharon Sawyer |
Thanks Nancy for the excellent advice. I won't bother trying to photographing it if it's raining but will still go if just cold. The glove idea is brilliant as I have the ones with all fingers cut out and the fold over mitt but if I just had the shutter finger and thumb cut off that would work great for me. I don't do a lot of photography at night as I feel it is not safe. My one Christmas post this year is from last year with me holding an umbrella in 7km winds, using my glove on a low lamp post as a tripod... in a semi safe area but won't do it again. It's a miracle I got a shot in at all so I am very pleased with it. The pageant will have many other people there so it will be a safe environment. Victoria has a few excellent night time, male photographers and I enjoy their images so much but would not tackle the winter, dark & cold conditions they do. It's a shame that this world is not safe place for woman to come and go as they please. Just bought a cell phone and it is so new to me I forget to take it with me. LOL Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my question. Happy Shooting, Sharon
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Sharon Sawyer |
I also wonder what would be the best camera settings for slow moving people outdoors in the dark with pageant lighting as for a play. Please share some tips with me... or just use special night settings on camera and not more technical ones? Here are some sample photos that others have taken... http://christmasnativity.ca/photo-gallery
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Nancy Marie Ricketts |
If you want to freeze slow moving action, 1/125 should be enough. A high ISO, around 800+. You would either need a long zoom lens (if you are further away from the stage, or get as close as possible)with a wide angle zoom. It wouldn't hurt to review your camera manual for settings, as I do not know what camera you will use, or how far you will be from your subject. Also, the lighting on the stage will affect your settings. If you could get their early and meter some shots, that would be ideal, but sometimes that cannot happen for various reasons. For my camera, (5D2), if close using Canon 24-70mm, I might try using Tv to regulate the speed of the shutter@70mm, with a fairly high ISO to stop action, without blowing out highlights. But read your manual, as only you know how to incorporate all the different settings to fit your camera and lens. Study now a few days before the show and try some shots at night at home in similar lighting, like inside in a dark room shooting into a lighter room.
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Sharon Sawyer |
Thank you again Nancy. I will try out what you've suggested. I only know how to shoot in AV but will experiment with both my lenses... just kit lenses and go from there. If it doesn't stop raining I won't be going... which would be a shame as they put on such a lovely show for a gift to the city of Victoria every year. Lost my manual but have it downloaded on my computer. I will show you the results if I get some shots in. Thanks again, Sharon
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Nancy Marie Ricketts |
I miss Victoria. You love in a beautiful city! I used to live in the Seattle area, and ride the ferry over.
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