Re: Production Photos
I have been taking pictures of the shows that I've been in for the past 5 years. It was a bit of a learning curve at first. I started with film so I didn't know if my settings were even working until a couple days later. Now with digital, you can instantly see if your settings work.
In order to take pictures of a stage, here are my recomendations. You want to shoot at 800 or 1600 ISO (current DSLRs are pretty noise free at these high of ISOs - Compact P&S cameras are very noisy at these high ISOs, so it should be avoided on them.) You also want a lens that has a large apeture - which is the f/ number. You really want 2.8 at a minimum for best results. To freeze normal actor's movement, you need a minimum shutter speed of 1/80 to 1/100. Preferrably you want 1/160 or 1/250 to freeze faster motion. When you are shooting at these shutter speeds, a tripod isn't really necessary. The rule of thumb to eliminate camera shake is a shutter speed that is equal to 1/focal length. So if you are shooting at 55mm, you would only need a tripod if you are shooting at 1/60 or slower (1/100 if you take into account the crop factor). If you get a lens with IS, you gain around 3 stops of hand holdability which would get you to about 1/15 or so. But then you would run into blurred actor motion.
I have always used Canon equipment. My current gear is the 40D, 17-55 2.8 IS, and 70-200 2.8L IS. If I am at the back of the auditorium, I use the 70-200. I set it at ISO 800, 2.8, and shutter speed of between 1/80 and 1/320 depending on stage brightness levels. If I am in an empty house and can get closer to the stage, I use the 17-55.
For buying a new kit, I would start with the Canon Digital Rebel XS with 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS lens. It is $500 at B&H. You'll get the best results with this lens at the shorter focal lengths (since at 18mm the apeture is 3.5, whereas at 55mm the apeture is 5.6) Set the camera at ISO 1600 (800 if the stage is bright enough). Adjust your shutter speed to whatever gives you the desired exposure.
Eventually if you want to get more in depth to photography, I would save up for better lenses. For a great all purpose lens, get the 17-55 2.8 IS - however it is $1,000.
Michael
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