Need HELP quick!!

[Mellie2162]

I have a Nikon D3100. Im still learning how to use the camera and take photos. Most of the time I shoot in auto mode because as I said, still trying to figure it out. Anyway, my daughter is in a play tonight and I would like to get some good photos, however, we are not allowed to use the flash during the play. If I turn off the flash will I be able to get good enough photos?

 

[photo_chick]

I think you can pull off some shots with what you have. I'm guessing you only have something like an 18-55 kit lens that came with the camera?

Here's how I would approach it in your shoes.. put the camera in S mode, that lets you set the shutter speed. Set the shutter speed to 1/125 (if you're unsteady you may want a little faster than this or a little slower if you have IS), this should cover you with an 18-55 with some stage movement. Start with the ISO around 800. It may or may not get the exposure, depending on how bright they have the stage. If it doesn't, keep bumping that ISO up until it does. If you get to your ISO limit and still can't get the exposure then make the lens wider (to the 18mm end) and you can slow the shutter speed down, but I wouldn't go too far.

NOW... if you can get a tripod in there (a lot of parents I know will tote one to things like this) you can bring that shutter speed way down probably to 1/15, or slower if they're not moving really fast on stage, since you'll be eliminating the camera shake. If your lens has IS and you will want to turn it off if you use a tripod.

 

[boBQuincy]

My method is a little different but follows a similar way of thinking. I would use Aperture Mode and set the lens to the widest open setting, this gives the fastest shutter speed available for the conditions. Use SPOT metering since much of a stage is often dark while the performers are spotlit. Spot metering lets the camera meter on the small lit area.

Try ISO 3200 and check the shutter speed, if it is still fast you could lower the ISO (or close the lens down a stop).

I also often use Program mode for theater, again with Spot metering. A monopod helps a lot and is often ok where a tripod is not.

 

[Marlton Mom]

Also sit as close as possible to the stage....

Good luck.

~Marlton Mom

 

[mom2rtk]

Also sit as close as possible to the stage....

Good luck.

~Marlton Mom

I agree. If you're using a kit lens, its widest possible aperture will be at the widest focal lengths. With many kit lenses, at 18mm you can open the aperture to 3.5. Zoom to 55 and it could be only 6.3. That means it lets in less light. It would be better to shoot wide then crop down later if needed.

Good luck!

 

[Mellie2162]

Thanks for the replies. I didnt get a chance to come back and see these until after the play. We sat in the front row and thankfully my dd's part was directly in front of us so I was able to get some really good shots of her, the rest of the cast not so much. The stage is set so there are 7 different "houses" and when a particular house is doing their part they are lit up, but the rest is dark so unless you are right on that house its kind of hard to get anything good without a flash. There were a few moments when the entire stage was lit and all the "houses" were shown so I got some good ones there. Thanks again!