Oct 19, 2019

Digital backgrounds

The dancer studio I have been shooting with has recently converted over to digital backgrounds. Because of that, the higher I go with my shutter speed, I get horrible looking backgrounds. The theater uses a DLP projector and the refresh rate of the projector is about 125. If I go anything higher than that with my shutter speed I get some weird colors on the background. Problem is it is hard to freeze the motion of the dancer. I spoke with the studio owner on a preference on some blur on the dancer and clean background or no motion blur in the dancer and better background. Her response was that she liked both.

Have others had this situation with backgrounds? If so what is your best advice? They have a performance in a couple weeks and trying to figure it out.

Thanks!

Ryan

Elizabeth Hults

Oct 29, 2019

I just embrace the weird colors. They know it's gonna happen.

photoedbyfred

Dec 31, 2019

That's a concern I never thought of, the one studio I shoot for will be using digital backgrounds for their spring recital. Thanks for the information

jeff

Jan 3

I've only had a few experiences with projected backgrounds, but I'm not impressed. If I'm not able to get the real deal on site for whatever reason, I'd much prefer to add the background in post. They are both manipulations, but doing it in post looks much more authentic.

Ryan Peters

Jan 7

It can get pretty bad. It is really only an issue if you are using an electronic shutter. I was able to shoot with the mechanical shutter during dress rehearsals, but during the performances, they want it to be silent so I am shooting with the electronic shutter. I am shooting with a Fuji XT-2 and Fuji 50-140 lens. If I was doing portraits, the real deal would work, but with the performance trying change the background would be a pain. Here are some samples.

Shot at 1/320, 2.8 ISO 6400 - had some bad coloring, but needed the higher speed because of a lot of motion in the Nutcracker and Mouse King