Using existing light to illuminate your dance photo is the easiest way to light dance photography. Existing light can come in the form of the lights in a dance studio, or on the stage where a dance performance is taking place. Natural light can also be a way to illuminate your dance photos. It can used by opening windows in a room to let the sunlight in, or by taking your photographs outside during the day.
Gels diffuse the light in your dance photography. They give your pictures a different, more studio, look. The right gel for your pictures will depend on what kind of photos you plan on taking. A blue gel, for instance, might be useful for photographing a sad dance. A red gel, however, may evoke a more exciting feeling from the same picture.
Spotlights are used often in dance photography. A spotlight can help you illuminate the focus of your picture, and help that dancer stand out against the background or other dancers in the scene. If you choose to use a spotlight in your photos you will likely need a spotlight operator at your shoot to make sure the light remains on the focus of your picture while he or she dances.
Rather than light the entire area you are photographing from above, selective lighting can allow you to get creative with how your picture turns out from a lighting perspective. Try placing a single light in different places in your shot to achieve different looks. Popular choices might be to place a light beneath your subject and light the dancer from below, or to place a light in the distance, lighting just one side of your subject while the other remains in darkness.