Capturing Drama and Music at the Adam Smith Theatre
On Wednesday the 5th of November, I was back at the Adam Smith Theatre once again - this time to photograph the dress rehearsal of Fife Opera’s La Bohème. Many people may know the story better through the musical Rent, which is famously based on Puccini’s opera. While many of the story beats are shared, the music and presentation are, of course, entirely different - making this production a fascinating and rewarding one to capture.
A Personal Highlight
This shoot was particularly special for me, as one of the leads was Robert Forrest, a close friend I’ve known since I was five years old. Robert has been working professionally as an opera singer in London and had returned to Kirkcaldy to perform with Fife Opera. Watching and photographing someone you’ve known for most of your life performing at such a high level is always a privilege, and he was absolutely outstanding throughout the rehearsal along with the rest of the cast.
Prepared Gear
Theatre can be incredibly fast-paced, with big emotional moments unfolding in seconds. To stay responsive, I wore my black Rapid double camera harness, carrying two Canon R5 bodies at all times. One was fitted with a 28–70mm f/2, the other with a 70–200mm f/2.8 - a combination that allows me to cover every focal length I need without swapping lenses mid-performance. This setup is essential for capturing both intimate moments and dramatic wide shots as they happen.
Working with the Director’s Vision
Before the rehearsal began, I spent time speaking with the director to understand their creative vision for the production. We discussed key moments that were particularly important to capture, as well as specific characters and scenes that needed to be photographed in a certain way to convey the story and emotional intent. These conversations are invaluable and help me focus my attention where it matters most during a dress rehearsal.
Looking Ahead
I thoroughly enjoyed photographing La Bohème and would love to work with other opera companies across Scotland and the wider UK in the future. Opera is such a visually rich and emotionally powerful art form, and it’s something I’m passionate about capturing with care and respect for the production.
I’m also very much looking forward to working with Fife Opera again next year and continuing our collaboration at the Adam Smith Theatre.
If you’re part of an opera company or professional theatre organisation looking for production photography that reflects your artistic vision and tells the story of your show, I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch via my contact page.
