I've been asked to photograph a ballet dancer (a friend) next week in a dance studio (lots of mirrors and spotlights). I'll probably use a Nikon F3 (selection of 28,50,85,135 lenses).Any tips gratefull received!! - Film type, pitfalls etc etc.
Although this isn't a critical "must get it perfect" situation, I'd like to do the best I can.
Thanks
Based on the experience you have already, what's your best guess answers to your questions?
<font color="#004d83">Lounge Lizard
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
Film type depends on the style you want, I'd probably opt for a nice fine grained B&W film like FP4,PAN50 or TMAX100. But it depends what look you want to go for, also depends how much light is going to be available. I should Imagine you'll probably need a 400 speed film to shoot with the ambient light, and you might like the affect of some grain, for this I'd probably use HP5.
not sure what would be best colour wise, if the lights good I'd probably go for fuji Relea.
Well, I'm using the F3 because of the better selection of fast-ish lenses I have - I've not yet been to the dance studio, but the light worries me - it'll either be too low or too harsh!!
Request is for colour photos - at the moment I'm thinking Sensia 400. but am happy to be persuaded otherwise.
sorry I realised after I posted that this was in the colour forum
Provia 400F might be worth a try too (although I've not tried it myself yet). I should imagine you'll get away with 400 speed film if you're using nice wide aperture primes, the only other thing you might want to consider is the light temperature. might be worth using a tungsten or florescent balanced film or filters, unless you're going to be able to edit the white balance afterwards if you're scanning them etc.
You've been asked to photograph a ballet dancer and presumably they want prints but you are planing to shoot slide film. Will you be scanning these yourself to make prints? Using a lab will be costly and may increase the contrast in a situation where you might want soft and subtle lighting to suit the subject matter.
<font color="#004d83">Lounge Lizard
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
Yes - I'm planning to scan the slides, for any possible "post production", and maybe get a decent print from the digital file.
Personally, I'd use a lower contrast portrait print film which IMHO is probably more suited to the subject matter and more forgiving with scanning and subsequent processing.
<font color="#004d83">Lounge Lizard
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
This would be my choice too. Perhaps 200 asa. I don't know if you're planning on using flash but if you are, just watch out for rogue reflections off all those mirrors!Personally, I'd use a lower contrast portrait print film which IMHO is probably more suited to the subject matter and more forgiving with scanning and subsequent processing.
Can't be a***d with a signature.
I'd run out and buy almost any digital slr and hook up to a laptop to see what I'm getting.
You might be missing the most useful focal length: 35mm, but will come with the camera.
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