Done any shooting of actors on stage?

[like2fiddle]

Quick update: Took a half dozen rolls at the dress rehearsal last night. First couple through the soup look ok, won't really know until I set-up to print them. When I get time, I've got to call around and see if anybody around here could scan these for me.
I ended up pushing the Tri-x to 800, but this show really deserves to be shot in color🙁

 

[rogue_designer]

See if you can find some provia 400f - it is really nice at 800.

Or Fuji Press 800 if you want to go c41 (better latitude, but more grain)

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

This is a great thread. Lots of useful info concerning stage shows; theatrical productions and band photography, too! 🙂

 

[pphuang]

So, I had the opportunity to shoot a production at my kids school this weekend, and I thought I'd try it with film rather than digital, which is my usual preference for stage shots. This was shot with Portra 800 using a 90 f2, and I under-exposed by 1/3 stop. I do wish I were a little closer to the stage, but I think they turned out OK.

 

[oftheherd]

Great shots pphuang. Well done in film as well.

 

[Trius]

Done any shooting of actors on stage?

Yes, but my lawyer got me an acquittal. 😀

 

[like2fiddle]

Well, here are a few color shots from the show. The lighting was indeed varied and challenging. Film used was Kodak 800 color. These first few are all shot with the 90 Elmarit at 2.8 and 1/15. Needless to say, if there was any movement at all, the blur was quite obvious.

 

[like2fiddle]

and these two at 1/15 and 2.8 90 Elmarit

 

[like2fiddle]

And finally, these with the 50 hexanon at 1/30 and f2

 

[pphuang]

Thanks for posting your photos, Roger. I always enjoy looking at stage shots, and the wizard of oz is a classic 😀

It seems that your meter is over-exposing your negatives a bit. Stage lighting can be very very tricky, both in terms of exposure and color temperature. I have found that with center weighted metering, the large dark areas around the stage can fool the in-camera meter, over-exposing your negatives and giving you blown highlights. That's why I evolved into using a DSLR with a spot meter.

With 800 speed film, a 2.8 lens, and a center weighted meter, you can compensate by under-exposing 1/3 to 2/3 stops. Depending on the intensity of the lighting and your distance from the stage, this should allow you to shoot comfortably around 1/60 to 1/125, which also helps with motion blur.

I'd love to see your B&W shots if you have them...

 

[like2fiddle]

Paul, thanks for the remarks. Yes, definately overexposed in general. I learned much in doing this little project. Attached are a few B&W, some from backstage. I have many B&W, but scanning is totally new to me, I just purchased a Epson 4490 and am learning both scanning and Photoshop. I've made attempts at adjusting the following images with curves and levels in PS.

All of the images in the next couple of posts were shot with M2 or M6 and Tri-x pushed to 800 and developed in HC-110 dil B.

View attachment backstage Elissa makeup.PSD
Canon 50/1.4

View attachment backstage Kathleen makeup.PSD
Canon 50/1.4

View attachment andrew usher.PSD
Canon 50/1.4

 

[like2fiddle]

And three more:

View attachment Oz-1024.PSD
Hexanon 50/2

View attachment Elissa cropped.PSD
Hexanon 50/2

View attachment backstage makeup.PSD
Canon 50/1.4

 

[pphuang]

Paul, thanks for the remarks. Yes, definately overexposed in general. I learned much in doing this little project. Attached are a few B&W, some from backstage. I have many B&W, but scanning is totally new to me, I just purchased a Epson 4490 and am learning both scanning and Photoshop. I've made attempts at adjusting the following images with curves and levels in PS.

All of the images in the next couple of posts were shot with M2 or M6 and Tri-x pushed to 800 and developed in HC-110 dil B.

Roger, you have some lovely backstage shots. Interesting how much easier it is to get the appropriate exposure without the glare of the spotlights throwing off your metering.

Film is also much more forgiving than digital files when over-exposed. You may find that some of your stage shots are very salvageable with a little PS work. Thanks for posting!