Taking dance photos require some techniques, whether as the photographer who is
taking the dance photograph, or the students in a dance school posing to take a dance
photograph. As a photographer, you need to apply the right techniques for the best
possible dance photo shots. And, as the dancer, you need to know how best to prepare
yourself and pose for the dance school layouts and photo shoots. This article will cover
tips for both the photographer and the dancer.
Here are top tips to leverage;
1. Choose the right photography equipment
Although cameras alone do not really make great pictures as the photographer handling
the camera, it is very essential to go for the right photographing equipment. Modern
photographing technology and equipment can help improve the quality of dance photos
significantly, including your quality hours of practice. In a dance setting, lighting is
usually very dark and the movements of the dancers are so quick. Consequently, a
DSLR for taking a shot of high ISO settings will be extremely helpful.
Also, consider a camera with high frame rate, so that you can take multiple photo shots
in a sequence. Mostly, if you are shooting dance photos on a stage, using flash is
not allowed. Therefore, it would be quite helpful to go for lens with wide max aperture
(about f/2.8 or wider). Another extremely helpful equipment for dance photo shot is
telephoto lenses – consider the one with 85mm focal length or longer.
2. The Lighting Factor
A lot of photographers usually have issues with lighting. As helpful as equipment can
be, the major work lies on the photographer in terms of grasping the basic on how
stage light works (in the case of stage dance photo shot). So, you will have the ability to
evaluate color temperature and perceived color.
3. Photographing postures
One of the great ways to capture the best dynamic selection of dance photos is to move
around. Shooting from one direction is usually not a great idea. If you are targeting two
dancers, do your best to capture the actions of both, not separating them or missing the
dance actions of any of the two persons. Experiment with unusual angles or directions
when taking dance photos, this is more feasible with a digital camera featuring a
rotating screen.
4. The Pose
There are wide range of poses for different dance styles, and some of the poses are
only sustained for brief moments. A good photographer should watch out for those brief
moments of exhilarating dance poses in other to capture them. Those brief moments
enable the photographer not to keep up a fast shutter speed. The best times to target
such poses is when the dancer is turning or taking a leap upwards or while being lifted.
Bear in mind that the dancers have practiced with much effort and for a long time for
those brief moments of exceptional poses, so ensure you capture the sight.
Finally, for the dancer, you must ensure you appear your best when posing in a dance
school photo shoots. Ensure your dance outfit is flawless, and that your hair is neatly
kept. Apply light makeups, so that your face will not be distorted (appearing too whitish
or other ways) in the picture. Blend your face makeup to your chest so that your face doesn’t
white while your chest is tan. Keep focus on your dance, and let the photographer capture
the most exciting poses.