How to take some good pictures?

[BlleFille]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to take some nice ballet pics of oneself en pointe? My boyfriend, though well intentioned, does not have a great eye ;)

And of course, I have not come so far yet in that I can't hold an arabesque en pointe for very long for example, so all the pics come out blurry. He is also not adept at getting the right angles, sometimes foreshortening me and making my legs appear short

 

Any ideas are welcome:)

Thanks!!!

[Clara 76]

You gotta do that with a teacher to help!

[brie]

Do you have a tripod you could use? That way you could set up the shot, making sure it's at the right height so that you're not foreshortened or anything. Then you can jump into the photo, strike your pose and all your boyfriend has to do is press the button to take the picture.

[10000Lakes]

If I am not allowed to post here, please remove. I am not an adult ballet student, but I am a Mom of a dancer and son who is involved with sports who takes a lot of pictures. My advice to you is to find someone with more experience to take your photos. If you need them for an audition, etc you need someone who has had more practice and better equipment. Lighting and other factors can make a huge difference in the final photo. Ask your teacher, maybe someone at your studio has some suggestions (you might find a parent with a camera). You might also investigate photo and art schools. You might be able to find a student who is looking to build their portfolio. Your local high school might have a budding photographer with some great skills.

 

If none of those options work, make sure you have as much light as possible when taking your pictures. You need a fast shutter speed to catch a dancer! Good Luck.

[koshka]

OK, assuming that you don't have a studio setup with lights/flash/etc, here's your best bet.

1. Try to find a place with plenty of natural light. Ideally you'd find an empty ballet studio with some windows on a sunny day.

2. If possible, get a teacher or friend to help you with poses.

3. If possible, use an SLR rather than a point-and-shoot camera. SLRs have much less shutter lag, so it's much easier to catch the moment.

4. If you have an SLR, get a lens with with a large aperture (low f number). My favorite lens for studio photos is a 50mm/1.8. This lens is one of the least expensive lenses around, and it's terrific for indoor shots.

[BlleFille]

Thanks everyone:) I think a teacher will be VERY useful!!!!! Great tips and ideas all 'round!!!

[MJ]

Take lots of pictures! Only a few will be perfect. The Camera sees everything.

[brie]

Oh that's so true MJ. I take so many whenever I'm out with my camera and I only end up keeping around half (or less). Let us know how it goed BlleFille.

[LaFilleSylphide]

As others have mentioned before, a fast shutterspeed and good lighting are key. If you don't have good lighting, and you can't hold an arabesque on pointe for at least 1.5 seconds (not including the pique action and the coming down movement), then you will for sure need a fast shutterspeed - preferably one that takes multiple pictures per second by holding the button down. At my old ballet school, we had an amazing photographer who not only had an eye for dance, but a camera with fast shutterspeed plus a "strobe flash" type device that could flash as quickly as his machine could take pictures. Most normal people don't own this.

 

You can shoot digital (almost everyone does now), but you would need a DSLR type camera - a digital version of a single lens reflex camera. Does your camera have a "sports mode" that imitates this multiple frames per second kind of shooting that a DSLR or SLR has? If not, then I'd say go to a super well lit room, set your camera on a nice tripod to automatically take 2-3 picture by itself (beepbeepbeep), and learn to hold that arabesque.

[Stecyk]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to take some nice ballet pics of oneself en pointe? My boyfriend, though well intentioned, does not have a great eye ;)

 

Like others, I suggest finding a better photographer.

 

With the proliferation of digital cameras, photography has boomed. Many professional photographers themselves are struggling because of the increased competition/proliferation of many advanced amateurs as well as not so advanced, not to mention a difficult economy. I sympathize with those that are struggling.

 

If you want to find an advanced amateur, or, perhaps even a professional, photographer, one online site that you might wish to try is ModelMayhem.com. In the interest of full disclosure, I am one of those amateur photographers who uses ModelMayhem. I am still learning to become a better photographer.

 

You can search through the various photographers available in your area.

 

Now, having said that, let me give you some pointers. These are just quick random thoughts. I am sure that I would think of more if I gave it more consideration.

1. Find a photographer whose work you like. You will find tremendous variability in quality and styles.
   
2. Try to find a photographer who is putting forward a serious effort. That is, her (assuming photographer is female) work reflects serious effort.
   
3. Examine the post processing. You won't see the before and after. But make sure you like what you see. Often amateur photographers blur the heck out of a woman's skin, so much so that she looks like a Barbie doll, or worse.
   
4. You might wish to meet with the photographer for coffee at a public place in advance of your photography session. From that meeting, you can determine if you personalities and styles mix. Do you feel comfortable with the other person?
   
5. You should ensure that the photographer has experience with lighting equipment, beyond just her on- or off-camera flash. Does she own sufficient lighting equipment, or is able to rent the necessary equipment.
   
6. Copyright. This is a biggie and deserves its own paragraph.
   
7. Be careful of TFCD (Time for CD...in other words, you model/dance but you don't get paid money other than a CD with images)
   

When a photographer takes your picture, she owns the image. She is free to use it for editorial usage without your permission. However, if she wishes to use it in a commercial context, then she needs your permission. Any photographer who is professional in her conduct will provide you with a model release. You should read the model release well in advance of your shoot. You should also make sure that you keep a signed copy. That way, you know what you signed afterward.

 

For a quick primer on model releases, here are two links:

 

http://www.danheller...ase-primer.html

 

http://www.danheller...el-release.html

 

Take your time, read and understand those two references. You need to understand model releases before you sign one. You have be of legal age to sign a model release or your parent must sign for you.

 

In the end, make sure you are absolutely comfortable having this person take your photograph. If not, then do not proceed. There is a strong likelihood that her photographs of you will be part of her online portfolio. If that makes you uncomfortable, then you need to discuss those issues upfront. Make sure whatever you agree to is in writing. Like most things in life, communication is key. Amateur photographers are biased to their needs and you're biased to your own. To avoid miscommunication, make sure all decisions are in writing.

 

You also want to be clear on the deliverables. One of the popular methods is TFCD. Rather than paying for a model, a photographer will offer to shoot the model in exchange for presenting her with a CD of images at the end. If you go this route, define the images. That is, do you want large or full-resolution images (you should)? Or are you happy with low resolution images that are suitable for web, but not printing? Do you want your images retouched (careful what you wish for) or do you want them "straight out of the camera"? Are you happy with the photographer's retouching abilities?

 

I hesitated in writing this post. A lot of amateurs are experimenting and learning their own way. Some of the photos they take are rather wild. Some are more mainstream. Some are having fun, and some are serious. In short, you are entering a bit of the wild west. So make sure you have your wits about you. On the positive side, you will often find recent graduates from local photography schools who are very good at what they do. And you'll find more mature (in attitude throughout various ages) photographers who just have a passion for photography and are very good at what they do.

 

If you find the right photographer, you might find that the costs are extremely low. And, you might even get your photos for free--for example, if you go the TFCD route.

 

Regardless of whether you use the online site that I suggested, the rest of the material still holds no matter who you use, including your boyfriend. You want to know who owns and controls the use and display of the photographs of you. You want to understand the deliverables.

 

If you have any questions, please post and I will do my best to follow up.

 

I hope you and others found this information helpful.

[Stecyk]

And of course, I have not come so far yet in that I can't hold an arabesque en pointe for very long for example, so all the pics come out blurry. He is also not adept at getting the right angles, sometimes foreshortening me and making my legs appear short

 

I have just a few more quick comments.

 

If you want to freeze action, you will likely want some form of artificial lighting--that is, flash. While you can get natural light, depending on the location, setting, and time of day, natural light can often be harsh lighting. Professional photographers often use scrims to soften natural light. They can make artificial light look as though it were natural. (See Joe McNally's blog post that is mentioned later.)

 

With regard to making your legs look longer, have the photographer shoot lower. Many professional photographers will shoot at any level except at eye level. Eye level is boring. Often, photographers will shoot between the waist and bust level. That perspective has the effect of making the person appear taller, more important, and more authoritative. Sometimes, photographers will shoot from the knee level or even on the ground. From the knee level or ground level, your legs will look longer, but the effect might be too much. And it will depend upon the lens too. A short lens will have more distortion. A longer lens will have less distortion but will require the photographer to shoot from a farther distance.

 

Joe McNally is one of my favorite photographers. He has often shot images that made the front cover of National Geographic. Here is his biography:

http://portfolio.joe...&p=-1&a=-1&at=0

 

On his blog, he has a few photographs of dancers, which are probably his favorite subjects.

 

http://www.joemcnall...on-sugar-plums/

Notice on this shot, he shot from just above waist level.

 

http://www.joemcnall...-canada-part-2/

He shot from a low vantage point.

 

http://www.joemcnall.../16/air-canada/

He shot from a low vantage point.

 

http://www.joemcnall...s-raining-here/

 

http://www.joemcnall...2/08/gpp-again/

Shot from bust to shoulder height.

 

http://www.joemcnall...ye-bchello-cal/

I love his photograph of Hannah Coleman.

 

http://www.joemcnall...that-day-again/

Isn't Jennifer Ringer beautiful?

 

http://www.joemcnall...elcome-adorama/

More beautiful photographs of Jennifer Ringer.

 

http://www.joemcnall...he-philippines/

This is an interesting blog post because it shows some of McNally's lighting equipment, even though he is shooting during the middle of the day. He's using a scrim plus some off-camera flashes. Yet, in the resulting photographs, the dancer appears as though she is just lit with natural light.

 

I have all of Joe McNally's books too. They are helpful and instructional to us photography enthusiasts. He teaches how he approaches his photography, as well as the equipment and techniques. Make no mistake, though, Joe McNally is an outstanding photographer. While reading his books is helpful, aspiring photographers still need several years of experience. In his books, Joe shows beautiful photographs, including photos of dancers. For those that are interested, you can use the Search Amazon feature at the bottom of this web page.

 

Getting back to your specific challenge, whoever you use to photograph you, I encourage both you to experiment like mad. Make sure that the photographer is open to shooting you with different lenses from different angles. You will soon learn which combinations work best for you both.

 

Again, if you have questions, please post and I will do my best to answer.

[10000Lakes]

Stecyk: Thank you, thank you for the links to Joe McNally's work. What a treat. I remember when he originally wrote the "Sugarplum" post on his blog. His commentary on Jennifer Ringer's beauty and artistry is the mark of a true professional and artist. He is a wonderful example for anyone who strives for success in any area of the arts. My favorite quote is when he comments on his success as a freelance photographer: "Joe McNally is still jobless, and living around New York City." Living his dream for sure...

[Stecyk]

Stecyk: Thank you, thank you for the links to Joe McNally's work. What a treat. I remember when he originally wrote the "Sugarplum" post on his blog. His commentary on Jennifer Ringer's beauty and artistry is the mark of a true professional and artist. He is a wonderful example for anyone who strives for success in any area of the arts. My favorite quote is when he comments on his success as a freelance photographer: "Joe McNally is still jobless, and living around New York City." Living his dream for sure...

I know you'll agree with me when I write that Joe McNally is a wonderful human being. He's a talented and great artist. Even more importantly, he's a wonderful person. Like you, I enjoy reading his blog and following his career. I have also seen videos of him (KelbyTraining.com - for photography and Adobe Photoshop enthusiasts), and I know that he has a wonderful sense of humor too.

 

While he lives near NYC, he covers the globe like a warm blanket. :-)

 

Thank you for your comment.

[BlleFille]

Stecyk,

This is all facinating!!!!!! thanks so much His work is beautiful and very instructive...yes, Jennifer Ringer is beautiful

 

I also like how some of the very simply photos of her are perfect, where she is not doing anything acrobatic, just posing beautifully and simply That can work great too!!!

[Stecyk]

This is all facinating!!!!!! thanks so much His work is beautiful and very instructive...yes, Jennifer Ringer is beautiful

 

My pleasure. I came across another site that has some beautiful photographs: http://tdfoto.ca/fr_home.cfm

 

Before heading over, you might wish to turn your speakers down/off (you can also mute the music at the site), or you can listen to the music.

 

If you go over to Dance Images, then you can any of the several sets to view various dance images.