Better light equals better pictures.

Better light equals better pictures.
Duh, I get it! BUT, I recently shot a low-light theater for an award
ceremony and presentation. I was roaming from the back of the theater
to the front with a SB-800 as my only flash source. I was using a D70
and a 105mm for most of the shots and a few with the kit lens.

What lens is preferred when shooting low-light? What can be done to
help capture every single bit of ambient light?

Thanks for any advide you can give.

Avery

 

Lowest f-stop available for that focal length. But you lose depth of field.
Longest shutter time helps but you'll get camera shake and subject movement
with too long a shutter time. Good tripod eliminates most camera shake, so
if subject is a rock (not moving) you are really in business. I'm thinking
of limiting my photography to rocks. With sb800 flash if subject is close
enough you are really in business because you have tons of light at your
command, but need to know a little about how to use it.

 

A wide angle lens helps too.

 

Ansel Adams made a fine career with photographing rocks.


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"I have been a witness, and these pictures are
my testimony. The events I have recorded should
not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey-
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

 

I remember him mentioning how he didn't like Hawaii because
it didn't offer the "sculpted" look (Yosemite) that allowed
him to take such striking photos.
-Rich

 

Maximum ISO on the camera. Grain is better than a blurred subject. Use
a monopod -- they're inexpensive and allow you to move around better.
A normal focal length lens gets you in close enough that the flash is
effective (assuming you're not bothering the audience at that
distance). Set the flash about even or a little below the stage lights.
It'll clean up the color and fill in the shadows without killing the
mood or being too disruptive to the audience.
Tom Nelson
Tom Nelson Photography

 

Very pretty rocks, and getting to some of those rocks was mighty
difficult and expensive! I can't even conceive of getting so some of
his locations with a view camera, even in the age of SUV's and ATV's.