 Mary E. Heinz |
How to shoot children's school play Wasn't sure what category to use but would like some suggestions.....I know that when you shoot children you just keep shooting...good and probably only way to get that "moment" but also get up close....fill the frame...I will be taking some zoom of one in the crowd and others of all 45 children on stage...also I probably will use night portrait due to low lights and spotlights on them (but in daytime)... I want to take a shot possibly of the audience watching them and one of the empty stage and maybe one of the coming in for practice and about 20 shots during practice and 20 during the service....it will be in a church and I've asked permission to move around a little as possible not to distract the children (4 yr. olds) Also I will be taking the pics and putting them into a cd movie for each parent....to generate business.....please let me know if I'm "on the right track" and what I'm forgetting? Thanks...This will be my first time doing this... I know to check the batteries and have back up batteries and extra film and a note to remind myself to put the camera on night portrait...also thinking of using the Kodak Portrait 800...not sure....usually just use 400 speed 35mm. Anxious for reply. Today is Fri. I do this Sun. am.
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Mark Feldstein |
Steady Mary, I think your glue is melting. Slow down a bit. You didn't mention the equipment you'll be using including lenses and whether you have permission to use flash or not. Those are two big items. While your philosophy is ok, your technique sounds a bit off. While I'm not clear as to whether you've actually seen a rehearsal of this play or not, but ideally, you should have seen a dry run of the production and recorded some notes as to when the best scenes are coming up and what will capture the essence of the play. "Keep shooting" as you put it, is what I call the 'blunderbus' approach and it doesn't work well. So, rule #1 is plan. Rule #2 is move around a bit. If you have to remain stationary in the audience, then use a zoom but also use a camera support of some kind, like a monopod or a tripod or the head of the person in front of you. While you could shoot from the front row during rehearsal, that's going to be a distraction to the audience during the actual production. The object is to capture the kids in the ambiance of the play. That calls for taking photos of the kids engaged with each other (acting) and some of the scenery. So, while full, tight frames are ok, they don't tell the full story. As to film, 800 is probably overkill. You could use something like Fujipress if your lighting really fluctuates, and which has an ok grain structure at 800 but works well at lower ISOs on the same roll, eg., 400, 200, even 160. You want to work at medium shutter speeds but you'll need smaller f-stops to get depth of field some of the time. Using very slow shutter speeds, depending the scene can capture a scene with people standing still while producing an interesting effect of others moving around them. I did that a lot for West Side Story and Our Town. I see a mini flashlight with a red filter is missing from your list. Get one. You'll probably need it. Most of all, be very very familiar with your equipment and the show. Before I shoot any production (and I do this on a regular basis), I've seen at least two run throughs. That also allows me to capture what I need to during photo calls since I can ask the actors to duplicate a particular scene using studio lighting. Except for my mini-course in theatrical photography under available and artificial light, that's about all I can offer you for now.
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BetterPhoto Member |
LOL rest your camera on the head of the person in front of you. Now that's funny. I'm gonna remember that one. As for the flashlight, Maglight offers a Minimag two AA cell light for $12.99 plus tax through Lowes. It comes with red, amber, and green lenses. It also comes with a nylon belt holster, a pocket clip, batteries, and a Red Cross disaster list (not geared for photographic catastrophies). Have fun and keep shooting,
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Mark Feldstein |
What??? You never went to a play or concert where the guy in front of you fell asleep. I say in those cases, the head is fair game for the worthy cause of camera support. Yeah the Mags are my favorite too. Mark
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Mary E. Heinz |
You guys are great. Thanks so much... I've been delving more into my camera and have continue to learn ....also be confused... 1. I love my Minolta C160 zoom lens.. 2. I feel comfortable using it.. 3. I cannot for the life of me FIND 4. I should have been more specific 5. Please enlighten me about why I and I agree....the head in front is
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BetterPhoto Member |
Sorry Mark, but no, I've never had the guy in front of me fall asleep. Usually, the guy in front of me is the mom who's kid is playing the lead. My dumb luck. If I rested my camera on her head, she'd probably scream sectional hairyabutment or something. I used G rated language, so you'll have to use your imagination on that one. As for the Maglight, my preference is with the four D cell model. It makes a better billy club. Hey Mary, I thought the spouse was always the assistant. Have fun and keep shooting,
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Mark Feldstein |
Yes !! Spouses make great camera supports. So do assistants who usually tend to take more abuse than spouses from their photographic other halves. So this is basically like a music recital eh Mary? That's ok as your lighting will probabaly be more consistent. Just get a meter reading and bracket say 1 full stop either direction in 1/2 stop increments. Are you asking how to adjust your lens to let more or less light in? I know Mark. Nothing like a hefty 4 cell model to use as a persuader in some guys tummy or higher than that. LOL !!! [AAaaaah yesssss, reminds me of my days shooting the '68 Democratic convention in Chicago, Grant Park, the small of CN gas wafting into the Conrad Hilton hotel on summer breezes, the joyful sounds of cops rioting.... and laughter filling squadrols with war protestors; those were the days... Mark
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BetterPhoto Member |
Ahh, yes. The billy clubs. Shots fired into the air. People screaming in pain. Ambulances that can't get to patients. The Black Panthers. Fun, Fun, Fun. I was there, too. That's one of the reasons I like a big flashlight. Have fun and keep shooting (pictures),
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Mark Feldstein |
Why MARK, we're kindred spirits !!! I didn't know you are, errr, as salty a dog as I am. LOL !!! That was my first on-staff assignment for the Chicago Sun Times. Trial by fire, so-to-speak. We just don't get good ole fashioned riots like that anymore. Mark-Feldstein@sbcglobal.net
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BetterPhoto Member |
Hey Mark; The first 29 years of my life were spent in the windy. I was born in Childrens Memorial. Enough of my life's story here. My email is hiatt007@centurytel.net. BTW, I'm 44.
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Mary E. Heinz |
Small world, isn't it? O.K. I got through the presentation... you would have thought I was picturing the queen of England...just wanted it to be nice....so tried to relax and have some fun but stay focused on my "assignment". I was prepared with back up battery
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