Tom Soper Photography @tomsoperphotography - Tumblr Blog

portraits

As a School Marketing Photographer I shoot a wide range of subject matter from classrooms, to sport, to music, drama, forest school and portraiture.

I am often asked about the different techniques I use to capture these different genres so I thought it might be useful to share a few ideas and tips.

Today I am going to talk about Drama & Dance Photography.

‘Photography’ literally translates from Greek as Drawing with Light. Light has always been the most important factor when creating a photograph. A photo is influenced by the amount of light on the subject, the direction of the light and the colour of the light. When it comes to dance and drama photography the light is both the most challenging aspect but also the element that can make the photos really special.

It's Really Dark!

So, if light is crucial for photography, how do we achieve great photos during a very dark performance? Camera settings are crucial and I tweak the settings continually during the shoot. I find that the camera cannot keep up with the speed that lighting changes on stage, so I have to take full control of the camera myself, shooting in Manual Mode. Most of the time I will use a 70-200mm lens which means that my shutter speed cannot go below 1/200s. My aperture is set as low as possible, which is f2.8 with this lens – this will allow the maximum amount of light into the camera. Finally, to achieve the exposure I want I will keep changing the ISO up and down to make the photos lighter or darker.

Dance is Fast!

Dance is pretty fast-moving, so I do have to change the settings above for dance with my shutter speed going to at least 1/500s. I also shoot dance in burst mode so that I am taking several photos every second. This really helps to make sure I have a good selection of really sharp photos.

Review & Reset

The light during dance and drama performances is constantly changing, so I’m always reviewing my photos during the shoot, checking what changes I need to make to my camera settings. With dance shows in particular I know that each new dance will be lit in a different way, so I tend to reset to my original settings until I know what the new lighting will look like.

Use the Stage Lights

I try to include stage lights in some of the photos during a shoot. I have to be careful not to shoot directly into the stage lights as this can quickly ruin a photo, but if I find the right angle then these lights can add some real drama to the photos.

Move Around

During a stage performance I am always moving, shooting from lots of different angles. Whether the performance is at ground level or on a raised stage, I will try to vary the angle I shoot from. With a raised stage most of the photos will be shot from slightly below, but I will always also take photos from banked seating or standing on a chair. If the performance is at ground level then I will shoot a few photos from a lower angle but also stand on a chair for a different viewpoint.

Provided I am shooting in a dress rehearsal, I will make sure I get close to the action and shoot some photos with a really wide angled lens. This gives some nice variety to the photos.

Finally, I will always take a few photos of the whole stage from the back of the auditorium to give a nice overview of how the stage looked.

Dress Rehearsal or Performance?

I always ask schools if I can shoot the final dress rehearsal. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, I feel very uncomfortable shooting during a performance with an audience in case I distract either the performers or the audience. Secondly, during a performance the places I can stand are very limited, whereas in a dress rehearsal I can roam anywhere to find the best angles to shoot from. Finally, if I miss a key moment of excitement there is a chance that the actors will be happy to run it again for me.

I hope these tips are helpful to help you with your school drama & dance photography. Shooting stage performances is hard work but can give really satisfying and dramatic results.

#educationphotography #drama #dance #dance photography #theatre photography #school marketing #independent schools

portraits

Taking Great Photos in Classrooms.

As a school marketing photographer I shoot a really wide range of subject matter from classrooms, to sport, to music, drama, forest school and portraiture. I am often asked about the different techniques I use to capture these different genres so I thought it might be useful to share a few ideas and tips.

Today I am going to talk about Classroom Photography.

It goes without saying that my primary objective when taking photos of kids in a classroom is to produce images that grab the viewer’s attention. I want the viewer to look twice, three times at the photo and feel a connection with the subject. I try to achieve this in several ways:

Get Down! I make sure I am at the level of the subject. If they are on the floor I get on the floor. If they are sitting at a desk I kneel down to be at their eye level. A photo taken by an adult standing up with the camera pointed down at children is always going to feel like a photo taken by an adult looking down at children. Whereas if you shoot from a child’s eye level, as if from another child’s viewpoint, then you enter their world, feel closer to them and are more likely to make an emotional connection with them.

On a similar note, if I introduce a teacher to the photo I always ask them to get their head on the similar level to the children, allowing me to shoot them eye-to-eye. This creates an intimacy not possible if the teacher is standing up, and it often leads to plenty of smiles and giggles!

Use the Right Lens! I use a pretty long lens to shoot in classrooms, usually a 70-200mm. The long focal length, combined with a wide aperture of f2.8, blurs the background and foreground. Classrooms are often quite busy and cluttered so this technique helps to isolate the subject and make them stand out from the background.

My other go-to lens in a classroom situation is a super wide-angle lens. This allows me to be almost on top of the action and brings a really different perspective. I might use this lens is during a science experiment where there’s a line of test tubes or beakers in the foreground that will add nice colour to the photo. It’s not as effective as long lens but it does give a different perspective/feel to the photo.

Fill the Frame! I like to fill the frame with the subject, especially in classrooms. If I were shooting against a blue sky or green field I might compose the photo and leave space around the subject which can be useful if text needs to be added. But in a classroom it’s usually best to zoom in on the subject so that they fill the whole frame and any possible distractions are cropped out of the frame.

Use the Background! As you will have gathered I am keen on avoiding distracting backgrounds! But equally I am always on the lookout for interesting backgrounds that might add to the photo. These could be a lights or wall designs or photos. It's rare that they work but when they do they can add a lot to a photo.

Be Patient! I always have an idea of what I want each photo to look like but often have to be patient, waiting for the perfect, natural moment. And when it happens I shoot a lot of photos very quickly to ensure I capture exactly what I had in mind. I might sometimes ask a pupil to redo an action they had just done, but mostly I try to shoot without any interference.

I hope that these tips are useful to anyone working in school marketing departments. Hopefully you can adopt them and create some lovely images in the classrooms at your school.

#schoolmarketing #schoolphotography #independentschools

#school photography #independent schools #school marketing

COVID STORIES - GREENE KING COMMISSION

In the summer of 2021 I was commissioned by Greene King to shoot a series of 30 portraits around the UK.

The portraits became part of a book which tells the story of Greene King during the pandemic through the eyes of their employees. Covid had a devastating effect on the hospitality industry and there was plenty of emotion among those I met, especially as they were slowly, finally, being allowed back to work.

Whatever their personal experience, they all, without exception, were hugely praising of Greene King and the way the company had looked after them during the pandemic.

The project also felt like a kind of release from Covid for me - I was finally able to shoot portraits again, be creative and meet interesting people, which is always the best part of my job.

#marketingphotography #portraitphotography #editorialphotography

#photography portraits #portrait photography #covid #editorial photography

One of the photo requests that I often receive when shooting for schools is for a group photo showing the age range and different ethnic backgrounds of the pupils at that school. It’s a really important photo for every school to have and is on most school websites and in their prospectuses.

Now that the kids have finally gone back to school and they can be taught by professionals, instead of my bungling attempts at home schooling, I have finally been able to settle down to work.

Well, the answer is……yes. A monkey can certainly take a good photograph. In fact any animal that can press the shutter on a camera can take a good photograph. If they get lucky. The bigger question is….Can a monkey take good photographs consistently ? And of course the answer is a resounding…NO.

Very few of my school shoots are posed. I try to blend into the background, sitting or kneeling on the floor of the classroom waiting for the perfect moment to click the shutter. It’s always a nice feeling when a pupil looks up in thought and I’m in the right place to shoot their expression.

If your school needs a strong set of marketing photos please contact me at [email protected]

@orwellparkschool

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#portraits

Claire Grant, Lockdown Portrait #13.

Claire is one of the better-known characters on our street having lived here since 1976. She is always out and about, being friendly, chatting to people.

It also happens to be Claire’s birthday today. Happy Birthday Claire!

Here are her thoughts on lockdown…

“I have been living in strict isolation since 21st March because of my advanced age and health issues. I have lived through other national crises, but none like this. I am finding this time an opportunity for challenges. I am pretty active and like to have a project each day in the house or garden. However, I do miss my long daily walks. I have some wonderful, kind, young neighbours who shop for me and, as I love baking, I can indulge by making cakes as a thank you to them. My old friends, family and acquaintances keep my phone very busy which is great.

I am now beginning my countdown to freedom and will certainly have a new appreciation for what I used to take for granted.”

#suffolkphotographer

#cambridgeshirephotographer

#essexphotographer

#norfolkphotogrpaher

#burystedmunds

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#suffolk

#essex

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#ipswich

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Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1

This portrait is part of my series of lockdown portraits featuring people who live on my street. Ian and Jacquie have lived here for 15 years. These are their reflections on lockdown…

“Retirement has been postponed, instead am working from home full time. Discovered more of Bury St Edmunds through walking, connecting routes that we knew, getting to know that we have more beautiful green spaces than we knew. Discovered baking skills, created a new flowerbed in our garden, new attempt at planting different variety of fruit & veg. Staying in touch with our friends through weekly zoom pub night "Rose & Corona". Missing being able to meet and socialize, to take out our kayaks, go away in our recently acquired campervan. Most of all our 2 sons are away in Manchester & Edinburgh and it’s not possible to see them except on zoom.”

#suffolkphotographer

#cambridgeshirephotographer

#essexphotographer

#norfolkphotogrpaher

#burystedmunds

#locationphotography

#portraitphotography

#suffolk

#essex

#norwich

#cambridge

#ipswich

#cambridgeshire

#lockdown

#familyportraits

#lifeinlockdown

#sonyA7iii

#sony

#profotoA1

#profoto

Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1

Radojka & Ian have lived on the street for nearly 30 years. This portrait is part of my series of lockdown portraits featuring people who live on my street. I’m hoping that the photos will provide an interesting record of this strange time.

During Lockdown Radojka, a lecturer at West Suffolk College, has continued to teach from a spare bedroom, recording lectures and conducting Zoom tutorials. Any spare time she has been tending her garden, nurturing her roses and doing battle with bind-weed. Ian, recently retired from teaching a history at King Edward VI School, has continued to study remotely after starting a course in Art History at Birkbeck College in London.

#suffolkphotographer

#cambridgeshirephotographer

#essexphotographer

#norfolkphotogrpaher

#burystedmunds

#locationphotography

#portraitphotography

#suffolk

#essex

#norwich

#cambridge

#ipswich

#cambridgeshire

#lockdown

#familyportraits

#lifeinlockdown

#sonyA7iii

#sony

#profotoA1

#profoto

Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1

I’m really hoping schools can open up soon so I can get out and shoot more summer sports. This was shot last summer for @felsted_school If your school needs a strong set of marketing photos please contact me at [email protected] #educationphotography #educationalphotography #groupphotography #schoolmarketing #marketingphotography #schoolphotographer #schoolphotography #suffolkphotographer #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #essexphotographer #schoolmarketing #suffolk #essex #independentschools #independentschool #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #cambridgeshirephotographer #portraitphotography #portraits #felstedschool #sportphotography #sport #sportsphotography #sportphotography #schoolsport — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3bGuZKi

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I’m really hoping schools can open up soon so I can get out and shoot more summer sports. These were shot last summer for @felsted_school If your school needs a strong set of marketing photos please contact me at [email protected] #educationphotography #educationalphotography #groupphotography #schoolmarketing #marketingphotography #schoolphotographer #schoolphotography #suffolkphotographer #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #essexphotographer #schoolmarketing #suffolk #essex #independentschools #independentschool #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #cambridgeshirephotographer #portraitphotography #portraits #felstedschool #sportphotography #sport #sportsphotography #sportphotography #schoolsport — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3bDHc2m

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Lockdown Portrait No.9. Stuart Morten, who has lived on the street for 17 years, and his son Spencer (8). “My son has type 1 diabetes so we went into lockdown two weeks earlier than everyone to protect him. His mum and I are doing 3 days each to share the fun lol. We have found the lockdown like a long school holiday with schoolwork thrown in. Have had no problem with social distances. We have kept in contact with our neighbours and Spencer has been regularly on Zoom with his school friends. Garden looks amazing, house tidy. Take away the fear and we have made the best of a bad situation.” #suffolkphotographer #cambridgeshirephotographer #essexphotographer #norfolkphotogrpaher #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #suffolk #essex #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #lockdown #familyportraits #lifeinlockdown #sonyA7iii #sony #profotoA1 #profoto Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1 — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2y1dUwO

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A group of happy girls at @orwellparkschool in #Ipswich If your school needs a strong set of marketing photos please contact me at [email protected] #educationphotography #educationalphotography #groupphotography #schoolmarketing #marketingphotography #schoolphotographer #schoolphotography #suffolkphotographer #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #essexphotographer #schoolmarketing #suffolk #essex #independentschools #independentschool #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #cambridgeshirephotographer #portraitphotography #portraits — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3fXpGJY

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This portrait is of Mark, Amy, Scarlett, Ellis and Toby Desira, who have have lived on the street for 7½ years, it’s part of my project to collect a series of lockdown photos of the people who live on my street. I am hoping It will provide an interesting record of this time. Mark says… “We are usually a very busy family, with work, school, after school clubs and meeting up with friends and family. The pandemic means we are spending more time together at home, juggling work and home schooling. Although strange at first, we have settled into a routine and are enjoying our new found time together carrying out our daily exercise, baking, jobs around the house and board games with the children. We do miss the social interaction of meeting up with friends and family but have been making use of 'Zoom' and 'Facetime'. Our general knowledge has also improved immensely because of all the quizzes we are doing online with friends.” #suffolkphotographer #cambridgeshirephotographer #essexphotographer #norfolkphotogrpaher #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #suffolk #essex #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #lockdown #familyportraits #lifeinlockdown #sonyA7iii #sony #profotoA1 #profoto Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1 — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/369aPHX

#Instagram #IFTTT

A couple of examples of my images being used by @felsted_school on their website. Felsted use me to shoot a wide range of photos throughout the school year, including portraits, sport, performances and classrooms. If your school needs a strong set of marketing photos please contact me at [email protected] #educationphotography #educationalphotography #groupphotography #schoolmarketing #marketingphotography #schoolphotographer #schoolphotography #suffolkphotographer #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #essexphotographer #schoolmarketing #suffolk #essex #independentschools #independentschool #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #cambridgeshirephotographer #portraitphotography #portraits #felstedschool — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2YZYaWb

#Instagram #IFTTT

This portrait is part of my project to collect a series of lockdown photos of the people who live on my street. I am hoping It will provide an interesting record of this time. John Nice’s family have a long history on Victoria Street. His Great Grandma and Grandparents used to live here and his mum was born here, all in different houses to the one he and his wife Jo live in now. “My wife and I have been in lockdown for 49 days as I write this (6 May 2020). We continue to work from home. On the downside, it's hard not being able to see family and friends. Regular quizzes help fill the void - however the lack of human interaction is difficult. On the upside, the community is looking out for each other more than normal. You can feel a sense of togetherness via the online community group or when everyone comes together to enthusiastically clap NHS and key workers every Thursday. Despite our faces being adorned with masks, empathy and kindness is in the air as we occasionally wave and say hello to people on the street. It’s been such a sad time for so many across the country – and it’s heartbreaking watching the news and seeing stories of the suffering that has affected so many families because of this virus. Hopefully the community spirit that has been fostered will be put to good use at the end of this, and we can all join up as neighbours and friends to raise a glass to say thanks to all those who worked, cared and helped so many during the crisis, whilst also honouring the memory of those people who are sadly no longer with us.” #suffolkphotographer #cambridgeshirephotographer #essexphotographer #norfolkphotogrpaher #burystedmunds #locationphotography #portraitphotography #suffolk #essex #norwich #cambridge #ipswich #cambridgeshire #lockdown #familyportraits #lifeinlockdown #sonyA7iii #sony #profotoA1 #profoto Shot with @sonyalpha A7iii & @profotoglobal A1 — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2WUA9gv

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