Stage Photography

Preparation Know the cues. Background information.

Know the cues.

Background information.

Gear Super fast aperture lenses. Extra memory cards. Medium range zoom lenses >> 70-200mm f/2.8 85mm f/1.8

Super fast aperture lenses.

Extra memory cards.

Medium range zoom lenses >> 70-200mm f/2.8 85mm f/1.8

Position / Timing Follow the subject with camera. Correct focusing mode. Capturing the right moment. Get a good spot.

Follow the subject with camera.

Correct focusing mode.

Capturing the right moment.

Get a good spot.

The Tripod is your enemy.

DO’s / DONT’s Modes – Tv is the most popular. F-stop < 5.6 and shutter > 1/125 No elements in foreground. Metering on facial tones.

Modes – Tv is the most popular.

F-stop < 5.6 and shutter > 1/125

No elements in foreground.

Metering on facial tones.

Think before you click. Keep a main subject in mind.

The Flash is not cool.

Artificial Lighting

Natural Lighting

Terminology White Balance Low key lighting Focus modes Metering modes Histogram ISO RAW image format

White Balance

Low key lighting

Focus modes

Metering modes

Histogram

ISO

RAW image format

White Balance Human Eye vs. The Camera Warmth or coolness. A reference source: 18% gray Multiple illuminants: Average value

Human Eye vs. The Camera

Warmth or coolness.

A reference source: 18% gray

Multiple illuminants: Average value

White Balance Presets Reference Source

Tungsten > Cool

Shady > Warm

Multiple Illuminants

Multiple Illuminants Reference: Stone Reference: Moon

Low key lighting One key lighting source. High contrast images.

One key lighting source.

High contrast images.

Metering 3D Matrix / Evaluative Center weighted Spot

3D Matrix / Evaluative

Center weighted

Spot

Camera sensors analyze the complete frame. Divided into zones 3D Matrix metering

Camera sensors analyze the complete frame.

Divided into zones

More weight to the center zones. Center weighted metering

More weight to the center zones.

Metering on small central spot Ideal for tricky lighting conditions Spot metering

Metering on small central spot

Ideal for tricky lighting conditions

Use Spot Metering To get correct facial tones.

3D Matrix metering

Spot metering

Focusing Modes AF-C (AF continuous) Moving objects AF-S (AF single ) Stationary objects AF-A (AF Auto) Switches between last two modes

AF-C (AF continuous) Moving objects

AF-S (AF single ) Stationary objects

AF-A (AF Auto) Switches between last two modes

Use AF-C Half-press shutter >> Focusing

Capturing Motion

Histogram Visual graph. Distribution of tones and pixels. Too Dark Too Bright

Visual graph.

Distribution of tones and pixels.

Too Dark

Too Bright

Mistake in the previous snap?

ISO Sensitivity to light. Digital sensors / Film Noise reduction softwares.

Sensitivity to light.

Digital sensors / Film

Noise reduction softwares.

ISO 1600

After >> Noise Ninja

Ideal Settings Focusing mode >> AF-C Metering mode >> Spot Shooting mode >> Tv Fast zoom lens ISO > 600, Shutter > 125, f-stop > 5.6

Focusing mode >> AF-C

Metering mode >> Spot

Shooting mode >> Tv

Fast zoom lens

ISO > 600, Shutter > 125, f-stop > 5.6

RAW image format Digital negative. Different formats: .nef, .cr2, .raf Wider colour gamut. Rectangular Pixel data: 14 bits

Digital negative.

Different formats: .nef, .cr2, .raf

Wider colour gamut.

Rectangular Pixel data: 14 bits

RAW vs. JPEG

Photoshop Techniques Layer Masking Unsharp Mask Levels > Gamma values Curves > S-curves, tonality Lab mode > Device independent Tutorials

Layer Masking

Unsharp Mask

Levels > Gamma values

Curves > S-curves, tonality

Lab mode > Device independent

Tutorials