Photography

[DanceScientist]

I'm using a 350d with a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 lens and a Sigma EF-DG 500 Super flash. And my pictures are by and large hit-or-miss in terms of focus and exposure (especially exposure). Given a (relatively) high-end lens and flash (admittedly, non-Canon) I expected better results... If anyone has tips on what might help in that regard, let me know.

I usually set the camera to ISO 400, f/2.8 and 1/100 shutter, hoping that the flash will be smart enough to correctly expose the shot, but it rarely happens. I also use the center AF region, since on a crowded dance floor, the automatic AF spot selection just doesn't work.

Might a higher-end camera (say a 30d) be smarter about flash exposure?

I used to use a Sigma EF-FG Super Flash. Although, I got plenty of good shots with the flash, a very high percentage were underexposed. Since I switched to the equivalent Canon flash (albeit more twice the price), 90% of the exposures are spot on.

 

[DanceScientist]

I feel a lot of the results, however, come from the lens and the delay between pressing the shutter release and the photo being taken by the camera.

Where most digital cameras fall short is in the delay department. Long delays between pressing the shutter button and the photo getting taken make it hard to judge timing.

I can usually time my exposures almost precisely when a pose is hit. The trick is to focus lock on the subject early, camp out for the right moment, and release the shutter right when you want it. The problem is most people first depress the shutter button when they want the picture taken. Then the delay includes the focus time, which can be quite significant and high ly variable dependent on lighting conditions.

 

[SDsalsaguy]

The trick is to focus lock on the subject early, camp out for the right moment, and release the shutter right when you want it. The problem is most people first depress the shutter button when they want the picture taken. Then the delay includes the focus time, which can be quite significant and high ly variable dependent on lighting conditions.

Predictive autofocus can be used well in this case as well, but again depends on the photographer understanding how that works and already having established focus on the subject beforehand (i.e. not, as you warn against, waiting until they have the framing they want before starting to depress the shutter button).

 

[elisedance]

I just posted a few of my arty pics on the DF photo album under my name.
Love some feedback - and links to yours...!

 

[Indiana_Jay]

I just posted a few of my arty pics on the DF photo album under my name.
Love some feedback - and links to yours...!

None of my photos would be considered "arty," but several photos I've taken at dance competitions appear in my member gallery. All but the first few were shot with a Canon PowerShot A530.

I agree with the above advice regarding focuses early by partially depressing the shutter. Also, I've gotten the best shots by using "manual" mode, in which I get to specify the shutter speed. I use at least 1/125 of a second and still get some motion blur on very fast-moving subjects. I'd love to shoot at 1/250, but the built in flash just isn't big enough to provide enough light for an exposure that quick. Also, I've learned it's best tend to shoot only subjects who are pretty close to me for two reasons. 1.) the flash better illuminates them and b.) (with my camera at least) the more you zoom in, the less light gets to the sensor. So I tend stay zoomed out and wait for the couples to get to me.

 

[JudeMorrigan]

I'm thinking of getting a new camera for my next competition. Does anyone have any thoughts on the current P&S options? I realize point-and-shoot cameras are probably less than ideal for taking dance pictures, but I know essentially nothing about photography. Not only would I suspect that a dSLR would be wasted on me, but while this competition will be NDCA, I want to make sure I'm good for future USA Dance competitions I might do. Plus, I'm kind of cheap. Ideally, I'm looking for something <$300, and would REALLY like to keep things under $500.

My apologies if this wasn't the best thread to use. It seemed to be the closest match to what I was looking for in the photography sticky.