backstage_owl

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<p>1. Get around to post-processing the collection of photos I have shot, but have done nothing about (including those of my Dad's wedding).<br /> 2. Now that I have a new apartment with more wall space, my previously framed photos don't fill it up. I resolve to fix that by taking more photos to frame and hang in the empty spaces (and replace the ones I currently do not care for).<br /> 3. Spend some time getting a feel for shooting candids of people around Boston (or anywhere for that matter). It is something which is not within my normal comfort zone, yet I am rather pleased with those shots that I actually have captured.<br /> 4. Get back to being active on this site... post and respond to the forums, post more photos, contribute to critiques, etc.<br /> 5. Get out and shoot as much as I say I should.</p>

<p>This is my Bouvier, Macy, who I got as a pup the year before I entered eighth grade. The picture is from when she was around four years old. Bouviers were originally cart dogs and cattle herders (Macy has always has the knack of getting us to go wherever she wished without us even realizing it). The breed can be prone to injury and when she was younger she had to have knee surgery and pins inserted into her joint - it never slowed her down. Late in the healing process, we would have to remind her to take it easy for a bit as she would run around the yard without a care in the world.<br>

Even now at about ten years old, she is as strong as an ox and has as much curiosity and energy as when she was a puppy. Her hobbies are bird watching, lying in the grass sniffing the air, playing in the snow, and sneaking onto empty beds to catch a nap. Macy lives with my dad in Pennsylvania, so I don't get to see her that often since I live and work in Boston. However every time I do get to visit Macy always greets me with such exuberance as to remind me that despite living far away, I am still her person.<br>

Edit: By the way, I think this has to be one of the best threads I've come across in a while.</p><div></div>

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I work as a professional stagehand, and have often had to photograph final dress rehearsals to document the

scenery, costumes, paint treatment, lights, etc for other technicians' and my own portfolios. As a general rule,

using flash in a theatre is off limits (performance nor not); it will distract the performers, the directors,

designers, and anyone working backstage. Plus, it generally washes out the stage light, making everything appear

unnatural. Designers work together to make sure that their colors complement each other. Wash out the light,

and nothing will look as it is intended.

 

As for shooting a performance, I've found that the best lenses for my purposes have been ones that have the

capability to be shot wide open during particularly dark scenes, and closed up a bit for brighter ones. I also

suggest using a lens that you can get some wide shots with. If you want to get any full stage photos, something

like a 50mm or 85mm lens will not cut it in most theatres I have worked for. If I were shooting a performance

and had the option of the lenses you mentioned, I would choose the 24-70 2.8 (in my experience, the 2.8 is plenty

fast with the right ISO). If I were not able to move around the house at all to take the pictures, I would still

stick with the 24-70 and use the 85 or greater only if I needed to get a closer shot.

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Got this picture just minutes before we were hit with a wall of water.