Musings of a Frequent Flying Scientist

Dancing in the Dark

My friend invited us to watch her Spotlight Dance at the Dance Studio where she studies ballroom. I took my camera along (of course!) and tried my hand at shooting fast-moving subjects in very low light and with a flash. I used the flash that came with my camera – a hot shoe popup. It was difficult shooting handheld in these conditions and I found the images generally looked best in black and white. Take a look…

45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO800
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO800
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO8000 (!!)
17mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO8000
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO8000
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO800
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO8000
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO8000
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/50s .. ISO800
45mm .. f/2 .. 1/50s .. ISO200
45mm .. f/2 .. 1/50s .. ISO200
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/40s .. ISO200
45mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/100s .. ISO200
17mm .. f/1.8 .. 1/160s .. ISO8000

The settings for each photo are in the captions. I’m submitting these educational (for me) photos to Lucile’s Photo Rehab Clinic!

What’s your experience with handheld shooting in very low light with moving subjects? Also, what is your experience with flash photography.

x desleyjane

PS – I changed my theme this weekend. If you have time, take a look and see what you think 🙂

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Comments

23 responses to “Dancing in the Dark”

  1. LDG luciledegodoy Avatar
    LDG luciledegodoy

    DJ, I’m overly impressed but not surprised because you turn stones into diamonds in every single shot you make.
    Imagine if you had the ‘perfect’ conditions? Do you think you needed it?
    What you do is art, and art is the result of resourcefulness and creativity. At least for this human being without art education.
    These photos are beautifully done! Punto.
    The atmosphere is gorgeous. It feels like an old ball room.
    You can dance, even in darkness!
    Xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Wow thank you. You flatter me. It was certainly educational for me. I want to play with my flash some more now. I love the last line of your comment xox.

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  2. LDG luciledegodoy Avatar
    LDG luciledegodoy

    And can you please correct the typo and replace the word ‘junk’ with ‘think’? Siri has been just grounded.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Ok will do!!! No pocket money for Siri.

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      Reply
  3. The Tezzy Files Avatar
    The Tezzy Files

    What lovely shots! Loving the very fifties inspired dresses!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. ChloéMarriault Avatar
    ChloéMarriault

    Great shots

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you.

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      Reply
  5. nalinki Avatar
    nalinki

    dancing photos are so hard to shoot – great Job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you. I was pretty discouraged while shooting but once I went through them, I found some good ones. And thank you to Lightroom!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. kazg10 Avatar
    kazg10

    Nice set of photos Desley, I love the swishing skirt. Good on you, I avoid dark indoors as its too hard with my lenses and I don’t use the flash so thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks Karen. I needed a challenge. Now I have a starting point to learn more!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
    LifestyleswithLia

    You have captured the joy, energy and enthusiasm that comes from dancing! These photos are great and although I don’t have experience shooting in low light or with action shots, I can imagine it’s something photographers need to work extra to achieve…And you got it!
    This dance class looks like lots of fun…I especially like the one in B&W with the lady’s skirt flaring around…definitely a retro-vibe to your gallery!
    Oh, and I like your new Cubic theme…it showcases your photos and entices the reader to click on the boxes! Brava!
    Have a super start to your week!
    *Lia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Lia – you have just given me a super start to my week. Thank you so much for being so supportive. Xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
        LifestyleswithLia

        Oh I’m so glad!! Have a happy start to your Tuesday…Our Monday is on its way out, over here…How cool are timezones!
        I’m happy to be a supporter of your blog and your creative work!
        All my best, always,
        *Lia

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          The timezone are certainly very interesting! They make for a lot of late nights 🙂
          Thanks again Lia. Best wishes for a bright Tuesday… X

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
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  10. kirsten Avatar
    kirsten

    Wow!! These are amazing! The only subjects I’ve done in low light – with no flash- are my dog photos at an Obedience Trial. I found that they worked much better in black and white instead of color. Especially because of the grainy-ness. These are absolutely beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you Kirsten. It was really tough. But rewarding when I saw the results. It was so fast there was no chance to review during shooting. I definitely need more practice. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. kirsten Avatar
        kirsten

        I’ve been slowly perusing your photography and you have such a wonderful eye and a gift of capturing “moments.” Im enjoying looking at your work and at the photographers in the Photo Rehab group!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Wow Kirsten, I’m so touched by this. Thank you for taking the time. It really does mean a lot to me. X

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
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