Stage Photography
Preparation
• 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
Position / Timing
• 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.
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
• 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.
Metering
• 3D Matrix / Evaluative• Center weighted• Spot
• Camera sensors analyze the complete frame.• Divided into zones
3D Matrix metering
• More weight to the center zones.
Center weighted metering
• Metering on small central spot• Ideal for tricky lighting conditions
Spot metering
Use Spot MeteringTo 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
Use AF-CHalf-press shutter >> Focusing
Capturing Motion
Histogram
• Visual graph.• Distribution of tones and pixels.
Too Dark Too Bright
Too Dark
Too Bright
Mistake in the previous snap?
ISO
• 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
RAW image format
• 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