As a photographer, you may be wondering what exactly theatre photography is.

Theatre photography is the art of capturing moments on stage during a play or musical performance.

These images are often used in advertisements for upcoming shows and can also be used in posters and other promotional materials.

While this type of photography might seem like an odd choice for some photographers, it actually offers many benefits that make it worthwhile:

You’ll get to learn more about your craft by working with different lighting setups and angles than you normally would in other types of shoots.

You’ll have the chance to work with actors who are talented at their craft and possibly even meet some famous people!

Types of Theatre Photography

There are many different types of theatre photography. 

The most common are:

Stage photography, which captures the action on stage during a performance.

This can be done either from the audience or backstage, depending on whether you have access to both areas or not.

Audience photography, which shows off the audience as they watch the show.

This is usually done during intermission when everyone is milling about and socializing with each other.

Cast photography, where you take pictures of individual actors in costume and makeup before they go onstage for their scenes (or after).

These images are often used for promotional purposes like posters or flyers advertising upcoming productions at your venue!

You might also consider taking rehearsal photos if you have an actor who wants some shots taken during practice sessions;

these will give you something fun to post online later on so people get excited about upcoming performances!

Equipment for Theatre Photography

You will need to invest in some equipment if you want to take good photos of theatre productions.

The following is a list of the most important items:

Camera – You can use any type of camera, but DSLRs are generally preferred because they offer more control over settings and allow you to shoot in low light conditions without using flash.

If you don’t own one already, consider buying one that has interchangeable lenses so that you can experiment with different focal lengths for different shots (and save money by not having to buy multiple cameras).

Lenses – The lens is what makes all the difference when it comes down to quality versus quantity;

 however, many people overlook this aspect when purchasing their first DSLR camera kit because they think they will only be shooting landscapes or portraits instead of action shots like sports games or plays where quick shutter speeds are needed.

While this may be true most times (especially since most amateur photographers aren’t interested in taking pictures during rehearsals), there are still plenty of opportunities where having fast glass could make all the difference between getting something usable vs missing out altogether!

Tips for Capturing Great Theatre Photos

Be prepared.

The theatre is a busy place, so you’ll want to make sure that your camera is ready when the performance starts.

Know your angles. 

If possible, try to get as close as possible to the stage without obstructing anyone’s view or getting in their way–but don’t forget that there are often good vantage points behind the audience!

Use a tripod.

Not only will this help keep your shots steady during long exposures (which can otherwise result in blurry photos),

but it also gives you more time for adjusting settings and taking multiple shots of each scene before moving on again later on down the line once everyone else has left their seats after intermission break time has passed by without any further delays happening afterwards due to technical difficulties caused by malfunctioning equipment used during live performances which could potentially cause delays lasting up until 15 minutes long depending upon how severe those problems were perceived as being at first glance based upon initial inspection results obtained from testing performed prior thereto;

thusly resulting within some cases where people may leave early because they don’t want their experience spoiled by having missed out seeing certain parts due t o these unexpected delays occurring unexpectedly beforehand rather than waiting until after everything had been fixed properly first before heading back out again later when everything was working normally again without any further problems occurring whatsoever.”

Editing Your Theatre Photos

Editing your theatre photos is an important step in the process of creating a great final product.

Editing software can help you crop and resize photos, adjust brightness and contrast, add effects and filters to make your images look their best.

It’s also a great way to save time by doing things like removing unwanted objects from the background of your shot (like someone’s head).

Once you’ve edited your images using photo editing software such as Photoshop or GIMP (free), save them as high-quality JPEG files so they’re ready for sharing on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram!

Best Practices for Theatre Photography

Be respectful.

Check permissions and obtain releases if necessary.

Use a release form to document your relationship with the subject (and their permission) in writing, especially when photographing minors or people who may not be able to give consent on their own behalf (for example, children).

Be aware of copyright laws that protect performers’ rights over their images after they leave the stage or screen;

this means you can’t use them for commercial purposes without permission from the performer or copyright holder(s).

Marketing Your Theatre Photos

Create a portfolio.

Use social media to promote your work and connect with other photographers, as well as potential clients.

   

Post your photos on photo sharing sites like Flickr or 500px (or both).

You can also create an account on Behance and post there as well; it’s not just for graphic designers!

Promote yourself by participating in local events where photographers gather, such as the annual Photo Walk held in New York City each spring.

You might even get some new clients out of it!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking permissions.

It’s important to know that you need permission from the people in your photo, whether they are actors or audience members.

If you’re shooting a play, make sure you get permission from both the production company and individual performers before taking pictures of them.

Using the wrong settings.

When photographing live theatre, it’s best to use an aperture between f/5 and f/8 for most shots;

this will give you enough depth of field so that everything is in focus but still allows for some blurriness around the edges of your subject (which can give photos more impact).

You should also set your shutter speed at 1/125th or slower so there isn’t too much motion blur when people move around on stage–and remember:

if there are lights flashing offstage during a performance and causing distracting flashes in front row seats (or anywhere else), try adjusting them so they don’t shine directly into any cameras!

Not using a tripod .

This may seem obvious but many photographers forget this step when trying out new equipment at home before going out into public spaces like theaters where lighting conditions can vary greatly depending on where exactly within said space one stands while taking pictures.”

Theatre Photography – Wrap Up

There are many benefits to being a theatre photographer, from being able to capture the magic of live performances to getting paid for your work.

But it can also be challenging and rewarding at the same time.

If you’re interested in becoming a professional theatre photographer, then this guide should have given you all the information that you need!