2013 year-end festival photoshoot write-up

Hello, all.

So, as some of you may know, for the last four years I've been specializing in live ballet presentation photography. It has helped me learn the technical aspects of the camera so much that it's become second nature to me.

As shooting these type of events has become somewhat easy for me, this year I wanted to spice things up. I went and bought a D-Lite+Cowboystudio background support system, plus a K-5IIs to complement my K-5II (after selling my aging K-5). I went with a K-5IIs because it was "only" $799 and I didn't want to try my luck with the then worrisome K-3. Buying the K-5IIs was somewhat bittersweet as it needed much micro-adjustments that weren't apparent at first, but that's another story.

Thanks to some great tips by Don B and Russ Meyer, I was able to do some pre-paid photoshoots without much stress before the events, and the K-5II+K-5IIs allowed me to get wide-angle and telephoto shots for all the types of clients I have (from moms, to ballet divas to ballet school owners). Just a couple of days before the start of the events I received the lighting kit, so it was kind of a risk using something completely new to me. Fortunately, it was pretty straight forward and the prices were low enough that nobody complained.

The live performance shots were done with one camera in a tripod with the DA* 16-50mm mounted and another camera handheld with the DA* 50-135mm. Sadly, the 16-50mm seems to have developed a problem, maybe it's decentered. It's noticeable in the first image of the La Bella Durmiente del Bosque photos.

All in all, I shot more than 13K photos from December, 7th through the 20th. Fortunately, I was able to recover what I payed for the lighting kit and I hope to recover the camera in the coming weeks. Since this is a hobbie, I find it great (my wife also) that it pays for itself (with a lot of work, though).

Here are a few samples of my work these past weeks:

A few (in theater) studio shots:

My daughter was my first subject. Here she's dressed as a Lemon Drop. There are so many details you have to consider when shooting studio photography that can be overwhelming. I wish I had noticed her dress all crooked before shooting.

Some of my subjects weren't shy. This photo was done the second day. I didn't notice some details before shooting, like ripples in the background or the creases in the next photo.

Here are some live, on-stage shots:

Scenes from La Bayadera.

Scenes from La Bella Durmiente del Bosque (Sleeping Beauty from the Woods).

The 16-50 seems to have developed a decentering problem. It's noticeable on the last girl on the right. Every wide-angle shot the last few days had a blurry right side.

El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker):

May 2014 be an awesome year for all of you. Thanks for reading.

Don't worry, Don. Have an awesome trip.

I've always loved your ballet photos.  Now, I'm glad they you have added another income stream to pay for your hobby!  Great work and thanks for sharing.

jm_mac

Donald B wrote:

Hi Jose, home now, and just had a look on the big screen, wow the concert shots are awesome, how good are the shots at iso6400 , leaves the k7 for dead. studio shots look good too, but I must admit Im a bit bias and still love the rendering of skin tones from my k7.

cheers don

I shot the Nutcracker three years ago with the K-7. A wonderful camera. The high ISO noise was the dealbreaker for me, though. But I do know what you mean. The K-5/II/IIs doesn't seem produce the same skin colors out of camera. I guess we can't have everything.

Great work and I love the backdrop you used. I am sure next time you will have it right and reduce the time of PP.

kitsios_spyros wrote:

Great work and I love the backdrop you used. I am sure next time you will have it right and reduce the time of PP.

Thanks, Spyros. I'll probably go with a custom painted backdrop next season, like Don does.