Fotorecord: Joseph Watson

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ballet Photography - Classic Balanchine

The North Carolina Dance Theatre's (NCDT) upcoming show includes works by famed Russian-born American choreographer George Balanchine.
NCDT is an amazing group and I always enjoy the challenge of capturing these talented dancers.
After photographing the first ballet from the more typical view in front of the stage, I ventured back to capture the action backstage. I like to try to give a glimpse of events most people don't get a chance to see.
(Remember to click on the images for a better view and hit the back button to return to the blog.)
Enjoy!

Seia Rassenti

Traci Gilchrest

Sarah Hayes Watson, Seia Rassenti and Anna Gerberich

Traci Gilchrest and Addul Manzano

Sarah Hayes Watson

Anna Gerberich

Seia Rassenti and Joseph Watson

Anna Gerberich and Joseph Watson

Waiting

Traci Gilchrest

Kara Wilkes

Sarah James and Ian Grosh

Kara Wilkes

Waiting to go on

David Ingram prepares to take the stage

David Ingram

Anna Gerberich and Sasha Janes

Traci Gilchrest

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Nikon D3 Test (NCDT Ballet Photos)

Photographing the North Carolina Dance Theatre's (NCDT) dress rehearsal for "Rhoden, Bolero and Balanchine" was the perfect opportunity to test out my new Nikon D3 camera.
I've been photographing ballet for more than decade and I've transitioned from film to a variety of digital cameras. Ballet presents many technical challenges as you endeavor to photograph movement in typically low, ever-changing light.
I was excited to test the capabilities of the D3 after hearing great things about the camera's performance at high ISOs.
(For the non-photographers, a camera's ISO function sets the light sensitivity of the camera's image sensor - similar to the speed rating of film. Typically, the higher the ISO the greater the amount of noise or grain in the image).
I have to say that among the many great things about this camera, the ability to increase the ISO up to 6400 while maintaining image quality is nothing short of remarkable.
I've heard others make this comment as well, but this camera allows me to make photographs that weren't possible before.
Keep in mind that I'm not being paid by Nikon (although I would be open to such an arrangement), but I am a long-time Nikon user.
The D3 also has a blazing 9-frames-per second motor drive (when shooting with non-DX lenes) and the full-frame sensor which adds a new dimension to lens selection. (Previous digital Nikons all had a conversion factor which changed the actual focal length of the lens.)
The ability to shoot at the higher ISOs allows the use of higher shutter speeds, which enables the photographer to better freeze the moving, leaping dancers. In the past, I would have to use very slow (1/30th of a second) shutter speeds as I would have to time the shot at the moment of least movement.
Well that's enough technical talk. It's been my great pleasure to photograph these wonderful dancers over the years and I'm always amazed by their talent. Charlotte is so lucky to have such an incredible dance troupe led by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and his wife Patricia McBride.
Performances run tonight through Saturday (Feb. 1-March 1) and then Thursday through Saturday (March 6-8) next week.
You won't be disappointed in this entertaining, versatile show.
(A reminder, click on the photo for a better look and then hit the back button to return to the blog. I'm including some technical information for the photographers in the crowd. Enjoy!)