AboutMark Gluckman Expertise I can answer questions about all social photography (wedding, corporate, b`nai mitzvah). All general questions about digital photography and, of course, film.
Photojournalistic and travel photo questions can also be asked as that is another specialty of mine.
Experience
Past/Present clients McDonald's, Sprint, GE, Ford, NBC, IBM, Princess Cruises, NCL and I work the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon every year.
I have worked for The New York Times, USA Today, AP and dozens of other international and national publications.
I have shot hundreds of weddings, b'nai mitzvah and corporate social events.
Expert: Mark Gluckman Date: 5/2/2007 Subject: no flash photography
Question QUESTION: Hi- my daughter has a ballet performance coming up and they do not allow any flash photography. I have both a 35mm Canon and a Sony digital. What would be the best way to take a picture in this condition- film, settings, tripod, etc...
ANSWER: Immediately forget the tripod, your daughter is dancing. Is the performance on stage with good stage lighting or in a ballet studio? What lenses do you have with the Canon? What are the specs on the Sony? Now that I've completely confused you...remember the object is to stop the action.
The shutter speed (either camera) should be set at nothing less than 250th. Now on the digital you have to change the ISO setting to as high as it will go (each camera is slightly different), then depending on the lighting, you have to change the white balance. For the 35mm Canon you have to buy the fastest film possible. If you want color, I recommend the Fuji 1600, for BW Tri X 3200.
You will be able to shoot faster with the 35mm as it doesn't have a lag time as with most digitals. If you shoot 200 images and 10 turn out, that's just fine.
If you want to write back and give me more info about your lenses and type of digital, I can give you more detailed instructions.
Good luck..
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I just went to check out my cannon and it's not working- i don't use it as much as my digital. So the highest iso on my digital is only 400. My friend has a Nikon D200 SLR with an ISO of 1600 and a 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens. What would you suggest? Thank you soooo much for your quick response!
Answer Great camera, low noise...great for 1600. The lens is a little slow, but if that's all you have, go for it.
Now, if it's on stage with theatrical lighting, set it at manual with the shutter at about 160-250 (nothing below 160) take a couple of test shots with the aperture opened all the way and see how it looks. Adjust your aperture as needed. DO NOT USE PROGRAM OR ANY AUTO SETTING. Spot lights throw any auto settings out the window. If the ballet is at a studio with flat lighting, you can use an automatic setting.
