Middle Eastern dance recital (C&C welcome)

[VTEC_EATER]

Hey everyone. I got to take some photos at a Middle Eastern dance recital my girlfriend was in this weekend. The lighting conditions were pretty demanding as it was just stage lighting, and "hit or miss" stage lighting at that. All photos were taken using spot metering to try and get the exposure correct. For some reason when I used the AE-lock button and recomposed the photo, the lighting changed the slightest bit and it would end up being WAYYYYY over-exposed. Kinda strange. Im still trying to figure that button out.

I didnt use the VR on the 70-200 because it wasnt helping with stoping the motion. For the most part I think I got the white balance and exposure correct. Not bad for a custom setup without a gray card to work with. I probably would have benefited from a tripod or monopod to get the slightest bit more stability. But from what I could see, the backgrounds were in clear focus. I think the dancers were just moving the slightest bit too fast for my camera.

I kept the post processing to a minimum. Just cropping and resizing for the web. No sharpening or noise reduction. I was pretty impressed with the ISO performance at this shoot. Usually Im hesitant to crank the ISO above 800, but I needed the extra shutter speed to stop the action.

Okay, thats enough rambling out of me. Enjoy:

Nikon D50 w/ Nikkor 70-200 F/2.8 VR @ 200mm, F/2.8, ISO1600, 1/100ss, EV +1 step (handheld, VR off)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/434091113_8f5fa03d86_o.jpg

Nikon D50 w/ Nikkor 70-200 F/2.8 VR @ 200mm, F/2.8, ISO1600, 1/250ss, EV +1 step (handheld, VR off)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/434091141_4a064ef241_o.jpg

Nikon D50 w/ Nikkor 70-200 F/2.8 VR @ 200mm, F/2.8, ISO1600, 1/250ss, EV +.7 step (handheld, VR off)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/434091143_fda6d2f0be_o.jpg

Nikon D50 w/ Nikkor 70-200 F/2.8 VR @ 110mm, F/2.8, ISO1600, 1/320ss, EV +1.3 step (handheld, VR off)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/434091145_38b7cdc734_o.jpg

Nikon D50 w/ Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 EX DC Macro @ 50mm, F/2.8, ISO800, 1/40ss, EV +.7 step (handheld)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/434112548_3c692da2ec_o.jpg

[Gsquared]

I think you did a great job... looks like the lighting wldve been very tricky for me to figure out. Well done!

[rawpaw18]

I like the sense of motion in your pictures, the ISO performance looks good.
I like the last one(5) and the girl that looks a little confused(2).
Do we have to guess which is your girlfriend?

[VTEC_EATER]

Do we have to guess which is your girlfriend?

She is the one in orange and green.

Yeah, number 2 does look like she is thinking about something... "Did I leave the iron on?" But that one did come out the most focused.

I dont know if it was the f/2.8, or because I had to meter (and thus focus (stupid AE-lock button!!!)) on their skirts to get the exposure right, or if they were moving just the slightest bit too fast, but my focusing was just not perfect.

Ehh, its a new lens. I still need to get used to it.

[rawpaw18]

Ehh, its a new lens. I still need to get used to it.

That lens does require some time spent with it, I have found that
out myself.