Night Football with Flash (Multiple Photos Warning)

bobcool

I'm discovering that the sweet spot for the flash is no more than 30 feet away, so I'm trying to be patient and let the action come to me. I think I'm improving, and would love any C & C.

-1-


-2-


-3-



And for comparison, some sweet late evening shots:

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-6-

du8die

Yellows
Hi,

I haven't seen what you've done previously, so can't speak to improvement, but I like these shots. They show the eyes, and I'm learning how important that is.

As to the flash, I've never tried it on a night game, but there is a hotspot on the helmet in 1 & 3. Because I honestly don't know, would a diffuser help, or would it knock down the light so much that you don't get any benefit.

Also, I wonder if you pulled these into photoshop and did some work in the hue and satration pallet (pull out some of the yellow, and maybe some green) if they would look a little more natural.

In fact, I just did a quick adjustment in PS, and in the hue and saturation pallet, I did -31 on the red saturation and -37 on the yellow saturation and the color looks MUCH better!

bobcool

Are you talking about the non-flashed photos being too yellow, or the flashed photo? If you're talking about the non-flashed, that's because of the setting sun creating the warm light. I'll experiment like you said and bring down the yellow, but I'm torn between leaving it like it is and adjusting.

Yes, if I used a diffuser it greatly reduces the flash range, so it's not an option unless I wait until they are much closer, which doesn't always happen.

Great feedback - thanks for posting!

du8die

First three
Hi,

Sorry about that. I should have been more specific. I was referring to the first three being too yellow. The second set of three (daylight) were excellent. Possibly a bit red (magenta?), but it also speaks of the time of day.

d8

tomauto

I too am going for the flash look and I like what I am seeing with your shots. I think the cropping is perfect so that the parents can choose to get bigger prints than a 4x6


I notice that a team is from Decatur! If that is the team you are following than I am a stones throw away from you in the Gainesville area! Let me know where your from!

bobcool

Hey Tom,

I'm contracted to shoot Trophy Club-Roanoke Youth Football at all of their home games which happen to be in the very nice Northwest ISD Stadium. Decatur is in this league, as well as Krum, Argyle, Ponder, Springtown, and a few Northwest and Trophy Club teams.

Good catch about the cropping - I can't crop too tight on these posted pics so if the parents buy any print bigger than 4x6 a hand, foot or helmet won't get chopped off. I usually crop much closer, but not for these type of gigs.

Have a good weekend!