Looking for recommendations on shooting a play

[PEC]

I have been asked to shoot the Easter play for church. I will be shooting the dress rehearsal so flash is ok and I will be able to move around at will. The lighting will change alot during the play.

I shoot with a D700 (also a D300) and am thinking of using my 85 1.4 and 35/2 shooting with AUTO ISO, spot metering on faces.

I am thinking of setting up a couple of SB24's on stands a in front of the stage off to the sides to add fill when I want it. I will sync with pocket wizards (and just turn off the transmitter when I don't want the fill)

I am thinking 1/4 power about 20 feet away will enable some fill yet not be overpowering. Obviously, I will get there early and play with settings, just trying to think ahead. I don't want the fill to "spoil" the mood created by the lighting but funny thing is people like to see themselves :) We are a kinda small church and don't have incrediably sophisticated lighting.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

[PEC]

also, what are the thoughts about gelling the flashes (CTO) to help the fill seem a little more like it belongs there?

[RKDauph]

I recently shot my daughter's high school play - first time for me.

Flash was not allowed but the D700 came through.

No flash, tungsten WB, f/2.8, ISO 6400, 1/250ish

Take a look at the EXIF data. You may not need to fool around with flashes at all.

[PEC]

Thanks, Ray - how do i see the EXIF information? Curious what focal length you used. I am hoping to use my 85 1.4 and bring down the ISO a bit. ;)

[RKDauph]

I 'meant' to include the lens info, sorry.

I used the AF-S VR-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED for these. The top images was at 200mm and the bottom one at 120mm.

There are several browser EXIF viewers - do a search for an EXIF plugin for you flavor of browser.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Don't shoot with flashes...The lighting of the set by the crew is part of the show. Use it as much as possible. The D700 should be able to handle it by setting the ISO until you get decent shutter speeds. I have done my shooting at plays with a D3 and a Sigma 24-60 /2.8 + Nikon 80-200/2.8.

Do set the metering to Spot - meter on the faces if they are the brightest spots - but be careful about White outfits (it is an Easter play, right?). I usually dial in about -1/3 or -2/3 EV exposure compensation to keep from blowing out the highlights.

Shoot in bursts so you can pick out the right emotion , or just so you can improve the chances of getting your shot in focus.Keep your eye in the viewfinder during the entire scene. Resist the urge to chimp except to check and make sure you are getting good exposure and focus.

Just so you know you can comfortably get high speed action without the flash in a darker environment - try this one on...

Have fun!

[PEC]

Thanks, good tips!