Theater and stage photography goes beyond actor head shots or portraits. Many photographs accompanying theater reviews are actual scenes from the play, whether in local community theaters or large regional venues. Theater photography can also benefit emerging photographers by learning how to deal with changing light and composition.
Utilizing a few tips should enable a photographer to better succeed in taking theater photographs.
Cast and Crew Relationships
Theater photography requires a good relationship with the cast and crew, especially with the producer, director and stage manager. Theater communities can be tight knit, so the amount of trust can determine the photographer's level of access to the production. Establishing a good relationship, like any photography field, requires a good set of interpersonal skills but once established will benefit the photographer.
Directors and producers will allow a photographer more freedom on stage during dress rehearsals or notify you of schedule changes. Technical crew and stage managers will give tips about a stage design or the play's lighting. Actors will be more comfortable if a photographer is on stage.
Familiarity with the Material and Theater
Photographers don't need to be theater lovers when they photograph theater, but a basic knowledge of the craft and the particular play goes a long way.
Theater comes with its own terminology and unspoken rules. A general knowledge of this will allow the photographer to know what is kosher and what is taboo. Most theater companies and venues have danger zones, rules of conduct and etiquette.
Being familiar with the play material helps immensely in theater photography. Photographers should ask for a script or at least a detailed summary of the play. Directors styles differ, so sitting in on an early rehearsal or two might help. Knowing which scene might be the most active versus a play's lulling periods produces better images.
Change the Angle
Theater photography has its standard images, including single actors and a mid-torso action shot of two actors. These are fine and photographers can capture compelling images. But photographers can do more.
British theater critic Andrew Haydon noted in a London Guardian blog article a general lack of diversity in theater photography. Haydon wrote that while many shots of actors and scenes were wonderful, seldom did those images capture the setting itself.
Photographers should capture the stage scene and setting in addition to the bread and butter shots. In fact, make use of the stage, capture the details of the props and experiment from low angles. If there is a catwalk or high vantage point that looks down on the stage, utilize that as well for unique photos. Doing so provides a photographer and a theater company with a better variety.
Take Advantage of the Light
Lighting makes or breaks a play. This applies to theater photography as well. Most venues and theater companies will restrict or prohibit a photographer from using flash during dress rehearsals for technical reasons. But a photographer is not limited because of that.
Stage lighting actually benefits theater photography in many ways. Photographers capture impacting images that might demonstrate the play's creative use of light and trains shooters to work with changing lighting scenarios. One scene or act may have several different lighting effects, all changing in a second's notice.
Fast lenses are necessary for plays, however, as the stage largely remains a low-light venue. There will be scenes in a play where light is drastically dimmed for dramatic effect, or low enough that a fast lens is required. Again, the value of sitting in on a few technical rehearsals will prove useful for a photographer to gain a sense of a play's lighting effects.
Theater photography offers budding photographers and beginning professionals alike an opportunity to hone their skills. All a photographer need remember is that cooperation with cast and crew, some knowledge of theater and be bold enough to try different angles.
Jack Barnwell - Jack Barnwell is a San Francisco Bay Area photojournalist, portrait photographer and freelance writer. He has photographed and written ...
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