Some shows are more visual than others. They have engaging lighting and colorful costumes. Musicals, by and large, tend to fall into the more visual category. And then, there are those that sort of explode with color and lights and smoke and all things dynamic.
Photographing such a show is always fun. But it is still challenging in a different way than, say, an intense drama in a single, evenly lit, box set.
It’s sort of like shooting the Grand Canyon. How can you not take a good photo? But, how can you create an engaging image that works through the visual buffet line and pulls out a story?
Riverland Community College is currently producing The Rocky Horror Show, the cult show that later became a classic cult movie. By it’s nature, it demands to be big, boisterous, and over the top. And, so it is!
I’ve not seen the show (or the movie) since RCT produced it as their summer show a few seasons ago. It’s fun and I enjoy it, but I’m not one of those who has memorized all the songs and lines and audience come-backs. So, it was actually a lot of fun hearing the beginning of a song and having it click in my head – yeah, I remember this!
I’ve been looking forward to shooting this show since I saw it in the list of shows Riverland is doing this school year. It was as much fun as I expected. I think I was able to capture some of its essence in the photos.
Lighting was great and, from a shooting point of view, lit in a way that worked pretty well for the photos. Some shows have very contrasty lighting – think of follow spotlights firing on an actor on a dark stage. Those are especially challenging since our cameras just don’t handle that well. We have to push and pull in postprocessing to make something reasonable.
This show had only a little of that. It was generally well within the 5DIII’s capabilities.
That let me capture photos like this where I can highlight one character while still showing a relationship to others. When Frank N. Furter moved down stage right, I knew that’s where I needed to be. He sat on the stage and I was ready. I love when a plan comes together!
The show runs until Saturday. Several folks here in Rochester are going Saturday night, and I think we’ll have a blast!
Tony, they look great! I hope I can use some of them in Riverland’s upcoming promotional materials. You are giving us a stunning collection!!
Comment by James Douglass — October 10, 2013 @ 2:57 pm
Thanks, James!
Comment by Tony — October 10, 2013 @ 5:36 pm