Photographing your work

[MidnightsBrokenToe]

I'm in the middle of work on my senior project show and when the lights are all up and ready for the run, I want to get some really good pictures of my work for a portfolio. I'm surfing around on Ebay and other sites looking for a camera I can afford that will yield good results. I have a dinky little digital camera that doesn't photograph anything too well, so it's time for a new one.
So what kind of cameras do you guys from the forum generally use to get good pictures of your work? Also, when you're taking pictures of your shows, what do you find are the best settings to use on your camera?

[Footer]

Dave will probably be around to add a bit to this as well. Buy the best camera you can afford, or see if your school has a nice camera you can use. Talk to one of your "artsy" friends to see if they have a DSLR. I would attempt the borrow thing right now if you don't have the money to spend on a camera. 200 bux will get you something decent, but you are going to need a good chunk of change to go the extra mile. To photograph the stage you need something with the largest pickup possible as well a VERY fast shutter.

Now, the first way to get good picture on the stage with any camera.... Use a tripod, every time, no matter what.

[sk8rsdad]

You want a camera that works well in available light, especially if you're planning to capture movement. Try a mid-range Digital SLR like the Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D70. We opted for the older Canon Rebel XT for archival photos of our productions and have been happy with the results.

[mbandgeek]

I have had good results with my Canon Powershot A570IS, I suggest learning how to work the manual settings, there are youtube videos. I got my camera for $180 a year ago and it probably goes for $120-150 I personally like Canon cameras.

[bdkdesigns]

Yeah, I have the Cannon Digital Rebel XTi 10 mp myself

[propmonkey]

when it comes to cameras check out dpreview.com and flickr.com. flickr more so because there's a forum that i have learned so much from. i personally use a nikon d50 (i prefer nikon) im working on saving to get a decent lens before i upgrade my camera body. you dont invest in the camera body but rather the camera system...lens, flashes, etc. i bought mine used on craigslist. i found a good deal, granted i had to drive about an hour to meet the guy half way but it was worth it. like someone suggested that you could find a friend who has a good camera and knows how to use it. kenrockwell.com is also a site i recommend.

[Arez]

Most importanly, if you're going to get a dSLR or SLR, don't spend more on the body then you do the lens, glass is much more important. The faster (lower aperture) glass you can get the faster you can shoot with a low iso.

[willbb123]

I have a Cannon Elph. I can not take good pictures in low light cause I can not hold still enough. But my girlfriend can... So its my opinion that the camera really has to fit the person. My dad has a REBEL, and I can take beautiful pics with that. I think that its because I can adjust more settings on it, but mainly because it is heaver and I can use both hands to stabilize it.

[TimMiller]

Stay away from the sony digital cameras. Every one i have used or bought does not take great low light pictures. All blues and magentas all come up as being blue so I have lots of pictures from shows where all the pics look blue even though the ligting isnt. I really suggest the cannon cameras, it is what i am going to buy next. Kodak makes some nice digital cameras also, my girlfriend has one and the pics are great. Its an 8.0mp btw.

[Sony]

I have a Nikon D80 with a Nikon 18mm-135mm Lens and it works really well. Make sure you get a camera and lens that works really well in Low Light which is what you will be using it in a lot. I find that using a Exposure Correction of around -1.3 works best with adjustments depending on the contrast of the particular scene.

Another thing I recommend is to take as many pictures as possible, especially in this day and age with Digital camera's you don't have to pay for film or processing so there is no drawback to taking a ton of pictures. I usually take almost 300 pictures for each show then sort through those and pick out the best ones.

Here are some of my shows I have Designed which I have photographed on the D80

Dead Man Walking







Orestes