digital camera settings for photographing performances

[SandraDances]

I have a Sony Cyber shot camera. Nothing too special.

What settings do I want in order to get better performance pictures? There is usually lighting to consider as well as speed.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

And I have read the manual-I get confused because of low lights and the speed in which the picture needs to be taken.

Thanks!

[Lavina]

Try using night mode when you're low on light. That would help. As for the speed, I haven't used a sony camera so I can't tell you exactly what to do.

[HubicRuzz]

I have a Sony Cyber shot camera. Nothing too special.

What settings do I want in order to get better performance pictures? There is usually lighting to consider as well as speed.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

And I have read the manual-I get confused because of low lights and the speed in which the picture needs to be taken.

Thanks!

Depends where you are performing. Most modern cameras handle outdoor shots fairly well.

Indoor shots is another matter. The very new cameras these days have those new low light sensors. Can't remember what Sony calls it but you generally don't have to do anything too special unless you have extremely low light indoors.

[zorba]

Set shutter speed for 1/250 or 1/500 second. DO NOT USE FLASH - unless you have a huge, professional unit (and quite possibly not even then). Set the ISO to the fastest speed that can produce decent images on your camera (ISO 800 at least, 1600, 3200, 6400 all faster with corresponding decrease in picture quality) and let the camera decide the aperture.

The fast shutter speed prevents blurring - 1/250 will probably be fast enough and will allow twice the light in that 1/500 would. If you want completely crisp shots of (say) warp speed barrel turns, 1/500 might be better.

That's the general guideline - but practice in similar lighting and see what works with YOUR camera...

[shimmygoddess]

Set shutter speed for 1/250 or 1/500 second. DO NOT USE FLASH - unless you have a huge, professional unit (and quite possibly not even then). Set the ISO to the fastest speed that can produce decent images on your camera (ISO 800 at least, 1600, 3200, 6400 all faster with corresponding decrease in picture quality) and let the camera decide the aperture.

The fast shutter speed prevents blurring - 1/250 will probably be fast enough and will allow twice the light in that 1/500 would. If you want completely crisp shots of (say) warp speed barrel turns, 1/500 might be better.

That's the general guideline - but practice in similar lighting and see what works with YOUR camera...

Agree with everything Zorba said. I never use flash and I do have professional equipment. It is to distracting for the dancer. For a point and shoot camera the only way is the set the Iso high like Zorba said. Unfortunately if the lighting already is dim, you will still end up w/ grainy pics. Occasionally if I have someone is just snapping one or two photos then they use their flash, probably set on Auto. You just wouldn't want to take a whole bunch and be 'flashing' the whole performance.

just my 2 cents ;)

[*Shira*]

If your lens lets you zoom, then zoom in enough to fill the entire frame with whatever light is available on stage. The darkness surrounding stage can play tricks with your light meter.

[zorba]

If your lens lets you zoom, then zoom in enough to fill the entire frame with whatever light is available on stage. The darkness surrounding stage can play tricks with your light meter.

Yes, or spot/center weight your metering.

I'm not really bothered by flash when performing - I've been performing all my life in one way or another - I don't even see it (flash) most of the time. But flash only works at close ranges...