English National Ballet photographer, Laurent Liotardo (balletandphotos) uses his latest project to demonstrate the Nikon D3400 low light potential.
As a staff photographer and ballet dancer himself he has a unique insight into the characteristics of ballet, and this insiders knowledge is demonstrated in his ability to capture dancers in a way that few others can.
The Nikon D3400 DX-sensor and wide sensitivity range enable Laurent to capture these striking images of Melissa Chapski (ballerinachi). The images are even more impressive when you consider that the light available to capture these shots was being produced by Melissa’s own costume.
This shows off the Nikon D3400 low light abilities not just to capture the image but to focus in these tricky lighting conditions.
Melissa Chapski is Junior Principal Ballerina with the Dutch National Ballet. In this series of images she dances The Nutcracker’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the performance was staged at the De Brakke Grond theatre, Amsterdam.
As a dance photographer you’re always challenged to capture fleeting moments, often in a low light environment, and if you miss the shot, the opportunity’s gone forever.” Laurent said. “I shot with the Nikon D3400 to capture Melissa’s beautiful lines and moves against the dramatic darkness of the theatre. I’m used to shooting in the dark – sometimes I don’t see natural light for days – so I was impressed to find a small, affordable camera which could adapt to the conditions, allow me to move quickly and let me share the images easily.
As you look through the images you can really see how Laurent’s inside knowledge of ballet sequences and timing enables the capture of these poses and positions. These are further enhanced by the lighting and that adds to the beauty and spectacle.
The Nikon D3400 offers a 24.2 megapixel DX-format sensor, Nikon’s EXPEED 4 image processor and a native ISO range of 100 – 25600, which gave Laurent the tools he says he needed to capture these high-quality shots.
If you’re interested in what was in Laurent’s kit bag for the shoot
- AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
- AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
- AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED
Buy the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED at WEX
Buy the AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED at WEX
But the AF-S NIKKON 105mm f/1.4E ED at WEX
This video shows behind-the-scenes detail of the shoot.