Shooting in the dark?

[Moonliner]

Headliner works on tech crew. During shows all her work takes place in the dark between acts. Flash photos are not an option. So now that I know you can rent photo equipment I'm wondering what I would need to take photos in the dark.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Night vision. Don't know how easy that is to rent but our night vision video baby monitor is amazing.

[CoasterMatt]

Still or video? I've seen still shots of a crew in near blackout conditions taken with a Nikon D3S and a 50mm f1.4 lens- awfully pricy setup to rent, though.

[RStar]

And for low light shots with out flash, you will want a tripod, so that you can use the slower shutter speeds and avoid the blurr you get when you hold the camera.

[Moonliner]

Still or video? I've seen still shots of a crew in near blackout conditions taken with a Nikon D3S and a 50mm f1.4 lens- awfully pricy setup to rent, though.

I'm thinking still not video. Some type of infra-red thingy?

Do you have a site to recommend for renting photo equipment?

[CoasterMatt]

Borrowlenses.com - I bought my D300 body from them, and also rented that spiffy ultra wide lens from them. Very nice, knowledgeable tech support.

Also, RStar - if he's got a body like a D3S, and a fast lens like a 1.4 - he can up the ISO a great deal without noise, and still have a sufficiently fast shutter speed for handheld.

[Moonliner]

And for low light shots with out flash, you will want a tripod, so that you can use the slower shutter speeds and avoid the blurr you get when you hold the camera.

But I'm taking photos of people in motion. ??

[Strangler Lewis]

I would opt for a nice posed photo backstage after the show of her and her friends on the crew.

[Kevy Baby]

But I'm taking photos of people in motion. ??

Tell them to hold really really still when you take the picture

[lashbear]

Fvck it. Use a flash.

[Moonliner]

Well damn.

Tonight was the premier of Headliners newest show.

A jaw dropping version of Phantom of the Opera with a full orchestra and lavish costumes/sets.

She never thought to tell me that since the show takes place in a theater the set crew was worked into the show. Several scene changes happen while the actors are on stage with the lights up. I really wish I had a camera with me.

I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow night....

[alphabassettgrrl]

Well, that helps a lot! Experiment with the settings on the camera, a lot, and don't underestimate the power of the lights. I just shot the Aladdin show at DCA, and was using aperture priority, ISO1600, f/1.8-f/8 or so, depending, and had the exposure compensation at least one stop down. You could also shoot shutter-priority, to keep the action stopped, but definitely play with the exp-compensation.

Congratulations to headliner for working on such a grand production! I bet she's having a ball.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I really wish I had a camera with me.
Shame on you for not bringing one! You could have at least gotten shots of her post-show, like SL says.