After five years, I finally convinced Ballet Chicago to left me shoot their dress rehearsal from the wings. I got a lot of fun backstage shots before and during the rehearsal. This isn't my typical Nutcracker post, that will come probably next week.
I normally shoot with a 70-200mm lens, but being so close I shot with a 24-70mm for this rehearsal.
Comments always welcome.
1. When I shoot two similar shots, or the same shot from different angles, I usually know right away which one works for me. Not so in this case. Just really happy with them both for different reasons. http://c1.staticflickr.com/1/654/31596315376_f220e83c49_b.jpg
Wonderful series, Ron! These are very different than your usual in this series. Perhaps the most striking change is how the lighting has become another element in these photos with your angle in the wings. You did a nice job incorporating the lighting into these shots (#12 you even managed to stagger them!) which provide a much more intimate feel than the usual photos from the seats.
mitchel674 wrote:
Wonderful series, Ron! These are very different than your usual in this series. Perhaps the most striking change is how the lighting has become another element in these photos with your angle in the wings. You did a nice job incorporating the lighting into these shots (#12 you even managed to stagger them!) which provide a much more intimate feel than the usual photos from the seats.
This is it. Such a unique perspective compared to my usual spot, and I loved the lights! And it is much more intimate. Thanks!
I'm all about shooting from the wings, whether it's dance or musical performance. The stage lights come into play in ways that the audience can't perceive (as shown well here). The one thing that I always have to consider is what else is going on off-stage during dance. Are the dancers waiting in the wings engaged with the performance, or are they looking off? Either way can add to (or detract from) an image, and each example has to be considered individually in the context of the entire photograph. It's just one extra element that shooting from the wings provides.
Agreed, Steve. So many different elements to shooting from the wings. It's like mulit-dimensional layers while shooting from the center of the seats, my usual perch, is like a flat single-dimensional shot in comparison.
Love seeing the different point of view on the these Ron. Thay are all great. One of my favorites is #6 for the amazing talent both in front of the camera and behind. Another is #8 because that is the type of shots I like to capture of my daughter. My daughter's Nutcracker was this past weekend as well. Can't wait to see your shots of the performance!
This might be the best post I have ever seen here on FM. Amazing work, not just the photography, but the patience, persistance and professionalism to obtain access. Fantastic!
Mar73 wrote:
Love seeing the different point of view on the these Ron. Thay are all great. One of my favorites is #6 for the amazing talent both in front of the camera and behind. Another is #8 because that is the type of shots I like to capture of my daughter. My daughter's Nutcracker was this past weekend as well. Can't wait to see your shots of the performance!
Marty
Thanks, Marty! If Mom doesn't buy a picture of No. 8, I just plain give up.
As for 6, it's rare for a school performance to have four girls in sync on their split leaps, so I was really happy with this one. And the unique angle just really adds to it.
Just finished the last of my Nutcrackers today, so I'll be posting soon. Love to see shots of your daughter's Nutcracker! I really have learned all the different variations of Nutcracker from one school, or company, to another.
prairietom wrote:
This might be the best post I have ever seen here on FM. Amazing work, not just the photography, but the patience, persistance and professionalism to obtain access. Fantastic!
