From recital to recital - I think I have improved a bit.

[DVC Jen]

Here are some photos of my daughters dance recitals. The first was taken right after (days after) I got my XTi at her Christmas dance recital. The second ones are taken a few weeks after I got the 30D at her spring dance recital.
The spring recital pics were shot in raw with minimal processing and converted directly to a jpg so I could load to smugmug. I was too darn tired to spend anytime on it in photoshop so they aren't "perfect".

All in all I am pretty happy with my improvement in 5 short months - and most of that is because I have learned so much and gotten some great advice here.

Thanks

Christmas recital - Canon Rebel XTi
http://www.jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/124884612-L.jpg

Spring recital - Canon 30D
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/154097762-M-1.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/154097886-M-1.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/154098749-M.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/154099245-M.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/154099298-M.jpg

I do realize they are a bit red, and the colors need some adjusting. If I have time after vacation I may play with them in photoshop - but basically coming straight from the camera I am not unhappy with them.

My biggest issue I always had was never being able to capture anything more than a fuzzy blur.

I sat really in the second row because I wouldn't have gotten anything other the backs of peoples heads since I am so short. That is why you see the bottom of the stage in some of the photos.

My main goal was to try a fast shutter speed to "stop motion" and keep it is focas as much as possible. I think I did that. They are also a bit noisy - but I was expecting that since I had to use a higher ISO.

I know they can be better.. Advice? Suggestions?

[jann1033]

wow , i can see a big difference as well. great job, the one where she is leaping with the blue dress on is really great! no suggestions since i have never shot anything resembling these. what lens did you use though? i can see a real improvement in the exposure etc so obviously you have learned as well as gotten new equipment

[DVC Jen]

wow , i can see a big difference as well. great job, the one where she is leaping with the blue dress on is really great! no suggestions since i have never shot anything resembling these. what lens did you use though? i can see a real improvement in the exposure etc so obviously you have learned as well as gotten new equipment

I was originally going to use my 70-300mm lens, but it wasn't wide enough - so I switched to (you're gonna love this ;) ) my canon 28-135 IS lens.

[jann1033]

I was originally going to use my 70-300mm lens, but it wasn't wide enough - so I switched to (you're gonna love this ;) ) my canon 28-135 IS lens.

:rotfl2: i just got mine back...again...it seems sharp enough and a little less purple so if i can take it out today and it still looks ok... i'm going to probably keep it mainly so i can buy a wide angle...maybe it'll look better with my 30d or 40d or whatever d i end up with:)

[DVC Jen]

I hope it is working better for you. I know how much of a pain it has been.

I will cross my fingers for ya.

[photo_chick]

I have my DD's recital coming up in a couple of weeks. I hope I can get half as good as you did. I don't normally shoot in that type of situation so we will see!

MY DD, who is almost 7, was very impressed with the shots as well! More so that you have one of a dancer in pointe shoes. She is very impressed by pointe shoes right now!

Seriously though, those look great. You said the 28-135 worked well? I have a 28-105, not IS though. I will make sure I take it as well!

[DVC Jen]

I have my DD's recital coming up in a couple of weeks. I hope I can get half as good as you did. I don't normally shoot in that type of situation so we will see!

MY DD, who is almost 7, was very impressed with the shots as well! More so that you have one of a dancer in pointe shoes. She is very impressed by pointe shoes right now!

Seriously though, those look great. You said the 28-135 worked well? I have a 28-105, not IS though. I will make sure I take it as well!

I also shot in TV (shutter priority) mode which I think helped a lot. I know the exposure is not perfect.. when I set the shutter speed I still had some things blinking at me - I had set the shutter for as slow as I felt comfortable with. It is just so darn hard with how dark it is in those places. Add on the fact that the girls are dancing around so fast and well - let's just say *I* am happy with what I got. I also know that it will only get better - or at least I hope. :rolleyes1

Emily has been on pointe for 3 years. She just finished her 11th year of dance so it took a while. Make sure that your daughters teacher does not start them at too young - it is so not good for their ankles. And pointe shoes?? :scared1: she goes through 2-3 pairs a year and they are NOT cheap!