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How to Take Pictures of a Stage in a Dark Room

One of the keys to great photography is mastering lighting, which is why shooting photos during an onstage performance is especially challenging. The photographer loses all control of lighting during these situations, and flash photography is usually prohibited during performances. On top of that, the photographer is often trying to capture fast-moving subjects. Fortunately, modern cameras allow photographers to make the adjustments needed to capture strong photographs in the most challenging situations.

Things You'll Need

Tripod (optional)
SLR digital camera
Zoom lens

Instructions

- 1
  Position yourself as close to the stage as possible, choosing a seat at one side of the stage. Sitting in the middle can lead to distracting obstructions ruining your pictures, like microphone stands. If possible, set up a tripod to hold your camera stable.
- 2
  Attach a zoom lens to your camera, especially if you are not in the front row. This will let you capture strong close-ups of performers.
- 3
  Set the white balance on your camera in the lighting of the theater. This will allow you to capture more true-to-life colors. Each camera's settings are different, so consult your camera's manual for this step.
- 4
  Set your camera's light sensitivity level, or ISO setting on high so the camera can capture a good picture with a small amount of light. ISO 1600 may result in shots that are too grainy, so shoot for a level of 1200-1400. Consult your camera's manual for instructions on setting the ISO level.
- 5
  Set your shutter speed to the slowest possible setting and aperture to the widest setting given the performance. If you have a tripod and the performers are not moving too quickly, a slower shutter speed and wider aperture will let more light in. If you cannot hold the camera steady or the performers are moving quickly, use a fast shutter speed and narrow aperture. Consult your camera's manual for instructions on adjusting these settings.
- 6
  Take practice shots early in the show, and check your camera's display to see the results. If the photos are coming out too blurry, increase the shutter speed and try again. If the shots are too grainy, decrease your ISO level. Once you have the settings right, take as many shots as possible, especially of fast-moving performances. This will help you increase your odds of capturing strong images from the performance.

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