[fujitsu1522]

Hi there friends, I have been asked to photograph a group of 20 + Children, a Dance Group. showing of there new Dance Dress, The requirements are "single shots of each child, and one large group shot not essential. My problem Is after checking venue out, which Is a school Hall, with a stage, and curtain backdrop. The curtain is only several feet from the edge of stage, could be dangerous for the age group of the Children, and I would have to be on a level plain with that stage, this does not have to be used, the rest of the hall is at my disposal, but there is no great backdrop, and I dont own any backgrounds for there portrait full length shots, My lenses are " 18-55mm DX 5.6 ed - 55-200mm f/4-5.6g ed. I will be using D50, and should have the SB 800 by then, given the lenses that I have
as anyone any Ideas on the best way to get great results on a shoot like this?.

My idea was to try and use a shallow depth of field on the full length shots, Single shots, and hope that nothing to distracting will spoil the shoot, what would be the best aperture to try for considering I have no backdrop?....cheers for any help on the matter, I have taken portraits before no problems, but usually outdoors or close-up.

[stepheno]

For starters I would seriously try to solve the backdrop problem otherwise your subject will get lost in the general b/g. Even a couple of white sheets blutacked to a wall is better than nothing.

I generally use a 50mm f1.8 for portraits and in your case the 18-55 would probably be best although, I note, it only opens up to 5.6 which is maybe even more reason for the sheets. I'll leave the lighting side for someone else and take my words with a pinch of salt since I've not done a shoot like that.

[Whipspeed]

You certainly will need a background, but make sure it's ironed as there is nothing worse than a creased background. Also lighting. I would seriously consider asking them to get a pro in, I say this as a friend of mine ordered some dance shots & then sent them back for a refund as she wasn't happy with them for the above reasons. They were dark, due to not enough light, the background was creased, they were grainy due to high ISO & also not sharp.

I was recently asked to photograph a school prom, but have passed it over to a local pro I know.

If you think you can do it well, have a go, but if not see if a pro will. Parents expect perfect pictures of their children, particularly Ballet.