PHOTOGRAPHY, PRODUCTION, THEATRE
Behind the Scenes: Exploring the Nuances of Theatre Production Photography
The Art of Working as a Stage Production Photographer
When you step "behind the curtain" into the world of stage productions, you need more than just photography skills. The stage has its own lively rhythm and it requires a distinct approach to capture its pulse. As a production photographer, your techniques must readily adapt to the theatre's dynamic.
Understanding Your Photography Equipment: Inside and Out
A profound understanding of the gear you use is really the best friend when you're out on location, especially when things get a bit wild with unpredictable lighting and scenes that change faster than the weather or even when the weather decides to be uncooperative. Being totally at ease with your equipment - we are talking cameras, lenses, settings - it all comes with being confident about what your gear can do. But here's the thing, this isn't about having the latest equipment there is. It's more about having dependable gear that you know inside-out thereby enabling proactive planning.
Trust in Your Gear: Capturing Moments in Any Conditions
Left: Slow Tide by Luke Murphy and Attic Projects. 2022 | Right: Neon Western, CMF. 2016
Consider an experience I had last year while photographing an event staged on a floating platform on a lake. The weather forecast had warned of impending heavy showers. My prior decision to invest in the Fujifilm system, still my current hardware of choice, put me in a good position. Every single one of my three camera bodies, along with each lens, are designed to be weather-resistant. As a result, even when the heavens opened and the rain poured down, I just kept shooting without thinking twice about my gears safety.
The Crucial Role of Lenses and the Importance of Power Management in Stage Photography
Even when not weather sealed, lenses are a critical part of your photography toolkit, acting as the eyes through which the camera records the events. Fast glass, with a base aperture no slower than f2.8 (a majority of the lenses I use are f2.0 or faster and mostly primes), are essential for capturing fleeting moments on stage. Fast lenses provide more light to the sensor, which is advantageous in low-light situations, allowing higher shutter speeds, lower ISO settings, and giving you more creative liberties. A pro tip: always have spare batteries and keep them on you while photographing - features like camera and lens stabilisation, electronic viewfinder, and electronic shutter are notoriously energy hungry. Also: get into the habit of closing your camera bag as it is easy to accidentally pick it up, forgetting that it was left open, someone else might pick it up to move it too, trust me, this comes from personal experience.
Silent as a Ghost (or a Ninja or a Hobbit)
Theatre demands a special level of respect for its silence. The intrusive 'clicking' of a camera shutter can sound like a crash amid this world of quiet moments. Thankfully, most modern mirrorless cameras support silent shooting, and being familiar with quickly switching to this function is crucial. I think I don’t need to mention that a production photographer need to turn of any sounds coming from the camera as well as any focus lights etc.
Blessings and Curses of latest technology
Left: Justine Cooper in Weathering - example of RGB banding. 2023 | Right: Conversations on a Crosstown Algorithm. 2022
However, electronic shutters are still not without their issues. The principal one being banding induced by combination of fast shutter speeds and some LED frequencies or projector refresh rates. It's critical to be aware of this problem and be able to make quick adjustments on the fly to find the best possible compromise which usually means slowing the shutter down to as low as 1/30s to beat the refresh rates. I recently experienced a tricky situation where the background consisted of two large screens showing clips displayed by projectors with different refresh rates combined with various LED lights while the dancers moved on stage. Slow shutter speeds were not ideal and I had to continually check the results and tweak settings depending on which direction I was shooting and where the lights were focused on the performers.
Preparation is Key: Setting Yourself Up for that Special Shot
Left: MESSIER 45. 2023 | Right: Will Flanagan as The Collector. 2023
Before the curtains are raised, ensure you are prepared. Explore the location to plan the best angles; also consider features that might cause noise or obstruct your movement when the audience arrives. The technical manager can usually assist you with this. Speak with a member of the production team, or, if possible, obtain a script in advance to understand what you're about to photograph. Visual and graphic moments are priceless — knowing them in advance can enormously help in creating a captivating set of images.
Mindfulness in the Dark
Be mindful of your surroundings since the areas off-stage will darken significantly, especially when your eyes shift from the brightly lit stage to the auditorium's darkness. Several years ago, I was photographing a dress rehearsal and, while being able to move freely on stage, I accidentally stepped into the abyss, resulting in two cracked ribs. It was a painful lesson, but it made me mindful of never blindly stepping into dark areas again.
Adopt and Adapt: a Must for Theatre Photographer
Bear in mind the golden rule for thriving as a successful theatre photographer: foster adaptability, flexibility, and innovation. Despite extensive rehearsals, live performances invariably carry an element of surprise, primarily if you haven't previewed the play. In such instances, a comprehensive understanding of the theatre’s workings, coupled with a proficient knowledge of a performance photographer's gear capabilities, becomes your invaluable ally.
Never Take Anything for Granted
Left: Brenda Meaney and Colm Meaney in Bedbound. 2023 | Right: Úna Ní Bhriain in Humans: A Robot Musical. 2022
Keep in mind that photography guidelines can vary even within a single theatre from one production to another. Sometimes, regardless of your intimate knowledge about the venue, you may be for example asked to remain static and photograph from a single spot. And rest assured - this will happen. The important thing is to have a selection of gear that is versatile in such scenarios but most of all a mindset which shifts instantly into a different mode. I worked as a stage photographer, documenting a play at the Galway Arts Festival lats year. I knew I will will have the dress rehearsal with two world class actors “all to myself” and I dreamed of all the angles and all of the freedom movement. Upon my arrival, I was informed by the producers that I had to select my location before the event and remain stationary throughout the play. No worries, I chose a central spot at the eye level with the actors and focussed on capturing key moments.
Perspective is Everything
Dress rehearsals present the ideal time for production photography as they provide a bit more freedom to the photographer. The absence of an audience allows for documentation from additional perspectives, which could otherwise disturb viewers. This opportunity is particularly advantageous, even more when paired with lower pressure compared to a premiere night. Occasionally, especially with smaller productions, a theatre photographer might even have an opportunity to request a replay of a scene or two after observing the play. Knowledge of key moments and quick recall could get you closer to capturing an exceptional image.
Left: Irene Kelleher and Denis O'Sullivan in Playboy of the Westerm World. 2013 | Right: Dónal McSweeney in The Walworth Farce. 2014
Post-Production is about Speed and Perceptive Selection
After the rehearsals wrap up, be prepared to act fast. The immediate aftermath might require you to sort through the captured images with the producer or a marketing person - a fast laptop and mastery over editing software like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, are essential tools for this task. As with many photographic processes, this one too relies on creating level of intuitive insight. Immediately after the shoot, you should have a mental note of where your best shots from the last few hours are lined up.
Know Where to find your Gold
Once you've imported all your photos, look for these frames first, then check if they meet your expectations and proceed from there. Visually strong moments you remember are a cue to sniff around for gold. Irrespective of the size of your final edit, always aim for quality over quantity. Consider that only one or two images will become the face of the play, with a handful more being their company on the play’s website and social media. Strive for unforced variety and create a diverse portfolio of images that includes close-ups showcasing emotions and wide shots highlighting the set design and everything in the middle. My most basic mental checklist is taken directly from documentary photography in general: a person at work, a relationship image, an establishing shot, an environmental portrait and an “X” picture. Treat this loosely and interpret in your own way, enriching with ambiance, mood, landscapes and sideshow images. Be flexible and perceptive.
Left Top: Seamus O'Rourke in A Safe Passage. 2022 | Right Top: Letters of a Country Postman at The Everyman. 2022
Left Bottom: The Turn of the Screw. 2015 | Right Bottom: Siobhán McSweeney in Happy Days. 2022
Build Relationships, Deliver Results
Arriving early, getting acquainted with the producers, cast, crew, staff and maintaining a friendly rapport can be a genuine advantage. However, let it not overshadow the fact that you're hired to do a job and don't force it if you see that everyone is busy. Networking won't yield any result if your photographs fail to deliver on promise.
Do make time for some “behind-the-scenes” photography if possible. These images often add to the magic and will do rounds amongst the crew. Seek to incorporate shots of the public and surroundings in your final edit if possible. Not all these images may promote the play, but the venue or production company might still find them useful.
Equipped with these insights, venture into the exhilarating world of theatre photography. Transform the elusive energy of the stage into tangible, vibrant images, and let your lens narrate compelling stories from the heart of the performance.
Get in Touch
If you would like to get in touch, please use the contact form, email or simply call me.
marcin@soundofphotography.com
+353 (0) 86 3471 761
I would like to invite you to browse through my portfolio, which includes a selection of images from the kaleidoscope of work around the THEATRE AND DANCE I've completed to gain another perspective on my approach.
These details and more are also available on my CONTACT page
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Thank you
Yours sincerely
Marcin Lewandowski | soundofphotography.com
Left Top: Theatre Making and Citizenship Cork. 2023 | Right Top: Áine Ryan. 2014
Left Middle: The Everyman Backstage. 2024 | Right Middle: Mark Donovan. 2023
Left Bottom: Cork Opera House stage. 2023 | Right Bottom: Slow Tide stage. 2022
