{"id":8324,"date":"2025-01-24T05:23:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T05:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simonday.com\/news\/?p=8324"},"modified":"2025-01-10T12:42:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T12:42:18","slug":"photographing-jack-and-the-beanstalk-behind-the-lens-of-a-theatre-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simonday.com\/news\/photographing-jack-and-the-beanstalk-behind-the-lens-of-a-theatre-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographing Jack and the Beanstalk: Behind the Lens of a Theatre Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last Christmas, I had the privilege of photographing a professional production of Jack and the Beanstalk<\/em> at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, Devon. This wasn\u2019t just any shoot; it was a dress rehearsal, held in an empty theatre the day before the show\u2019s grand opening. For theatre photographers, dress rehearsals are a lovely treat. They allow us to work without the distraction of an audience, capturing every magical moment in a controlled setting. Armed with my trusty gear and the excitement of the season, I dove into one of the most rewarding shoots of my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Lighting: A Photographer\u2019s Dream<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting can make or break theatre photography<\/a>. If you\u2019ve ever tried to edit theatre photos when they use the older and cheaper lighting, you\u2019ll understand my disdain for what I call \u201cthe purple beam of doom.\u201d It\u2019s that harsh purple stage light that leaves dark blotches on performers\u2019 skin. This is nearly impossible to fix in post-production. Thankfully, the lighting design for this production was nothing short of stellar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every scene was bathed in professional, well-balanced light that complemented the costumes and set design beautifully. Highlights were natural, shadows weren\u2019t overly harsh, and skin tones remained vibrant and true to life. This level of lighting gave me the creative freedom to focus entirely on composition and timing without worrying about technical mishaps.<\/p>\n\n\n