Stage Photography

If you are new to stage photography, you may find the following information helpful in taking a nice shot.

1. Preparation - You may want to visit the dancers during their rehearsal. This will help in composition and preparation for the actual day of photo shooting.

2. ASA - Regardless of analog or digital cameras, you need to use ASA 400 and avoid using flash.

3. Aperture - Due to the dim light condition, you need to use F2.8 or larger aperture. Don’t forget your tripod. Which provides you a good support to your camera.

4. Focus - Focus on the subject whenever you try to compose your photos.

5. Shooting - If you are using digital camera, try to take as many photos as you can. It seem that digital cameras have an advantage over analog cameras in this aspect.

6. Avoid mistake - Not taking the entire body structure (which including the dancers’ shoes) is one of the common mistakes to many photographers.

7. Composition - When composing your shot, try to pay more attention to the facial expression. You need the best combination of body beauty, linear pattern and facial expression.

8. Position - Before the actual day of shooting, you need to obtain permission from the organizer and dancers to allow you to stand in the middle of the front audient. Your standing position not only affect the angle and position of your shots. But also ensure you the best shot you will never miss.

This article was contributed by Mr.Chiew Yung Kee, The vice president of The photographic society of Malacca. Members who would like to contribute article, please contact 016-706-1357(Malaysia), 97900974(Singapore) or email to webmaster@dpi-club.com