Dance recitals and live music events are filled with special moments where movement and music come together. But stage photography faces a triple challenge: it's dark, subjects move fast, and they're far away. Here are techniques for getting great shots even with a smartphone.
Basic Settings for Stage Photography
Stage lighting constantly changes, so the camera's auto adjustments may struggle to keep up. Check these settings beforehand.
- Turn flash off: Using stage lighting produces better results (and flash disturbs performers)
- Keep burst mode on (essential for moving subjects)
- Record both video and photos - you can take screenshots of great moments from the video later
- Keep zoom to a minimum if possible (digital zoom degrades image quality)
Timing Your Best Shots
Dance and live performances have moments that are especially photogenic.
Prime Moments to Watch For
- Pauses in movement: Points in the choreography where motion briefly stops
- Peak of a jump: The split second of stillness at the top of a leap
- Final poses: The climax of a chorus or the end of a song
- When lights suddenly brighten: Faces become clearly visible
Shooting from the Audience
Even with assigned seating, you can get great shots with some creative thinking.
- Front rows give dramatic close-up shots but tend to create an upward angle
- Middle rows offer well-balanced compositions that capture the full stage
- Side seats provide profile views and shots with depth perspective
- Shoot from a slightly elevated position to avoid heads blocking the view
Sharing Photos Among Performers
At recitals, performers often photograph each other's performances since they're on stage at different times. Create a PicTomo album and display a QR code in the backstage area - all performers' photos will gather in one place. Photos of your own performance that you couldn't take yourself are absolutely priceless.
Summary
Dance recital and live event photos improve dramatically when you focus on three things: flash off, burst mode, and timing. Preserve the excitement of the stage in photos, share them among performers, and use them as motivation for the next performance!