Case Study: Available Light and Scene-Setting with Shakespeare

https://equinlab.com/2024/01/18/fg5dhpvdba7 by Fire Girl Jess on June 26, 2013

The 2013 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Company prepares for their debut performance of Henry V in Bozeman, Montana.

The 2013 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Company prepares for their debut performance of Henry V in Bozeman, Montana.

Andrea San Miguel wanders through the trees as she prepares.

https://serenityspaonline.com/d7yiq0smq Andrea San Miguel wanders through the trees as she prepares.

https://mmopage.com/news/kpputub8dhe I had the great pleasure to be assigned to photograph Montana Shakespeare in the Parks once more on the opening night of their 40th anniversary last Wednesday night at Montana State University in Bozeman.  I shot the troupe in 2010 for The Big Sky Journal and have enjoyed the plays for years before that.

http://www.wowogallery.com/48gh60zan1 There’s something magical about Shakespeare, and that magic only multiplies when performed outside under a Montana sky.

Buy Valium Roche 10Mg It’s a fairly young group of actors this year and, as always, they performed with aplomb.  The play was Henry V, one of my personal favorites.  Nothing like the Saint Crispin’s Day speech to get the blood boiling.

Sean Driscoll as Henry V rallies his troops at the battle of Agincourt.

https://www.chat-quiberon.com/2024/01/18/jad0psjopz Sean Driscoll as Henry V rallies his troops at the battle of Agincourt.

https://gungrove.com/4sspegx Shooting theatre is always difficult.  Stage lighting is in no way conducive to traditional photography – lighting is often red or blue and obtaining a correct exposure is challenging.  Add to that the dimension of being outside on a stage, and things really become complicated.

https://masterfacilitator.com/6tuf5au02 Using a few creative manual settings, a handmade filter and a little post-production goodness, the images from the performance are now in a cohesive, artistic series.  Using a grain filter to add a slightly off-focus and granulated look ages the images, and desaturating slightly draws focus to the shape and form of the actors, not merely the vibrant costumes and lighting.

Don’t be shy about taking on difficult lighting. By shooting into the stage lighting, I was able to capture some compelling portrait shots of the actors, and moved around behind the set quite a bit to catch the light filtering well through the trees.

https://sieterevueltas.net/oh3fbala As always, experiment.  Find the photographic style that matches your creative eye and go for it.

Cast members prepare.

Cast members prepare.

https://manabernardes.com/2024/narb5kdr Tags: Assignments

https://modaypadel.com/mdh0hsa8b Tagged as: Bozeman, Montana, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Montana State University, photography, Shakespeare

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: