In the Spotlight

Over the years, I have taken a number of performance photos. They are always a challenge, whether at a small performance like the one above or on a bigger stage. This one was such a delight. It was a play written and performed by my friends at Atria Arboretum Senior Living, a vibrant and creative retirement community in north Austin.

When you take photos at a performance, you're usually limited in movement. I like to try to get a dress rehearsal so I'm not disturbing the audience, but at times that isn't possible.

Even at rehearsals, stage lights are STRONG. I had to manipulate the lighting when editing so that the clothing, hands, and face look more evenly lit.

I also removed some distractions from the background, including another performer. If I'm publishing in a newspaper or magazine, I don't remove objects. It's important to present a scene as it happened. But when it's a more creative outlet, I am free to manipulate more.

This is one area in which it pays to know and use editing software. That way, the expression of the performer is the focus.

Even more than when I am taking portraits, I tend to take many shots and delete more than I keep. That way, I can usually find a handful that represent the emotions of the play or performance.