{"id":87290,"date":"2022-08-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=87290"},"modified":"2022-08-31T10:54:06","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T14:54:06","slug":"dance-photography-ideas-tips-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/dance-photography-ideas-tips-and-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"Dance Photography Ideas, Tips and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Within the realm of portraiture, situated somewhere near the corner of action photography and photojournalism, lies the art of capturing dance. Dance photography captures motion in a way that other photography genres<\/a> typically do not. Working within this unique sub-genre requires a good sense of timing, an eye for movement, and a passion for capturing the beauty of dance in its many forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance photoshoots can be fast-paced and you\u2019ll need to be able to work quickly. As such, whether you’re shooting a live performance or working with dancers in a studio, you\u2019ll need to develop an efficient workflow to do the job well. To help ensure your success, we\u2019ve compiled a list of dance photography ideas, tips, and examples that you can use on your next dance photoshoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance Photography Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Anticipate Moments<\/a><\/li>
  2. Choose the Best Lens for the Occasion: Wide Angle Vs Telephoto<\/a><\/li>
  3. Capture from Multiple Positions and Angles<\/a><\/li>
  4. Tell a Story with a Series of Images<\/a><\/li>
  5. Freeze Motion w\/ Flash<\/a><\/li>
  6. Show Motion with Long Exposures<\/a><\/li>
  7. Use Creative Portrait Techniques for Dance Portraits<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Anticipate Moments<\/h2>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"dance
    Photo by Lin & Jirsa Photography<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Dance photography is all about capturing the feeling of movement. To freeze a dancer in mid-air (which we\u2019ll discuss later) or to capture the flow of a dance in a still frame, you need to be able to anticipate the movements of your subject. This can be tricky, as dancers are often constantly in motion. However, there are a few things you can do to help you anticipate moments in dance photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pay Attention to the Music for Dance Photography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The rhythm and tempo of the music will often dictate the movements of the dancers. Paying attention to the music will help you get a feel for when the dancers might build up to a big moment, or take a pause (say for a dip), and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Watch for Patterns in the Dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dancers often repeat certain movements or patterns throughout a dance. By paying attention to these patterns, you can better predict when a particular movement will occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Know the Dance Well<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you’ve seen the dance before, you’ll have a better sense of the flow and timing of the moves. While it may not always be possible to preview a dance before showtime, look for opportunities to catch a practice run or rehearsal whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pay Attention to the Dancers’ Faces and Bodies<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"dance
    Photo by Lin & Jirsa Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Often, dancers will give subtle cues just before they make a major move. By watching for these cues, you can be ready to click the shutter at just the right moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Of course, there will still be times when you still miss a shot. That’s just part of dance photography! But by anticipating moments, you’ll have a better chance of capturing some truly stunning images. On occasion, you might try staging some photos with the dancer holding a position or jumping into position on cue. This really only works for more traditional portrait sessions as opposed to photographing live dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Choose the Best Lens for the Occasion – Wide Angle vs. Telephoto<\/h2>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Dance
    Photo by SLR Lounge<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    As a dance photographer, your main concerns regarding lenses will include focal length<\/a>, aperture<\/a>, and accessibility, typically in that order. At the end of the day in dance photography, diversity in equipment is key, and it helps to have options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Focal Length to Cover Dance Photography<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Dancers
    Photos by Lin & Jirsa Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    If you only have a single lens, then a semi-wide 24-70mm f\/2.8 lens would probably serve you best. With this lens, you can safely cover a larger dance ensemble as well as a solo dancer. A telephoto lens, on the other hand, will allow you to zoom in at full resolution and capture more intimate details, such as the dancers\u2019 expressions or details in their wardrobe. Assuming you have options, then plan to use all of them to create a variety of shots of the performance. If you\u2019re shooting as part of a team, I recommend that you coordinate with one another and use different focal lengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Aperture<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"dance
    Photo by Wallace Chuck<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    It\u2019s important to keep aperture in mind as well while photographing dancers. If you want to preserve more detail while photographing a larger group of dancers, keep your aperture up around f\/8. Otherwise, to isolate a single dancer from the group or else capture a solo dancer (or couple), you can use a wider aperture like f\/1.4. The biggest benefit here is the ability to separate the subjects from the background while creating beautiful bokeh<\/a> (depending on the backdrop).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other Considerations for Lens Choice in Dance Photography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As I mentioned earlier, dance routines typically move quickly, so zoom lenses can help you move between focal lengths quickly. If you\u2019re using different prime lenses, you might want to consider using two (or more) cameras at once, or else use something like a Spyder holster that will allow you to quickly change out and safely store your lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Capture from Multiple Positions and Angles<\/h2>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"dance
    Photo by Jim Lafferty<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    As is true in other genres of photography, it\u2019s important to seek out the best angles. And remember, dancers are not generally stationary subjects. Capturing the fluidity and grace of a dance move often requires shooting from multiple positions and different perspectives. That said, the particulars of the dance will help dictate which positions and angles will work best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Depending on the type of dance being photographed, some angles may work better than others. For instance, when photographing ballet dancers, photographer Joe McNally recommends shooting from above in order to capture the elegance of the dance. For hip hop or street dance, meanwhile, a lower angle can help to show off the energy and power of the movement.<\/p>\n\n\n

    <\/div>
    SPOTLIGHT: NYC DANCE PROJECT<\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>
    <\/div>
    <\/div><\/div><\/div>