indoor swim meet, first time

Elaine

I had the chance to get some shots at my son's recent swim meet. I've never shot at an indoor meet before. I felt pretty lucky with the light we had, even though I had to use ISO 1600. I was using my 70-200 f/4 L IS at f/4 and had speeds ranging from 1/250 - 1/1000. I learned as I went, and I think I was better by the end. Each sport has its own techniques and tricks! And I have a ton more to learn!

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johng

Elaine,

I think your portrait style shots came out very well. Nicely done on those. The entry shot is also very nicely done - very good keeper there.

The in water shots will take a bit more time and practice so you get better timing down for the action ad better angles - for example on the freestyle you really want to be parallel or a bit behind so you get a better angle to show the eyes with the arm a bit more overhead.

Really for a first time shooting the sport you did a very good job!

Gringriff

Wow!
Elaine,

I am loving all your portrait shots and the colors in your action photos. Thanks for sharing.

I just did my first real swim meet this weekend and could not take any of those candid shots around the pool. Not knowing any of the kids I felt weird taking their pictures out of the water. But your are really nice, maybe next time...

Elaine

Thanks, John and Andy!
Yes, I confess the portrait style shots are more my cup of tea. Thanks for the tip on shooting freestyle! At this pool, I couldn't shoot from either end (good for butterfly and breaststroke, I think?), so I tried from one side, but...wasn't very successful. I got a lot from the starting blocks, but actual stroke shots were much more difficult, for me. And breaststroke doesn't often amount to looking like much, at least for the younger ones...

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12 - And butterfly from the side isn't as impressive...and I cut off his hand.


13 - I liked the way just his nose and mouth are out of the water, but I cut off his hand, too.


14 - I enjoyed shooting faces out of the water!


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16 - And other moments around the pool. But I think some of my shots would better fit the PJ forum than the sports forum!


Thanks for the input! The advice I've received here in the sports forum has been so helpful to me!

shphotos

Elaine,
I don't have any experience with swimming, but I did want to say that I love #4. It really captures the mood of the swimmers. I also like #6. It shows her form perfectly as she enters the water. I'm sure she spent a long time learning to dive like that, and it's a wonderful picture.

time2smile

Very nice set. Thanks for sharing, great eye.

TangoJuliet

Very nice, and I like the entry shot as well as your poolside portraiture. I'm a little envious of the light you had. I shot my first swim meet last weekend and the lighting was terrible. I had to use my strobe/flash because even at ISO 1600, I couldn't get enough speed in the shutter to shoot without it. The State meet is next weekend and I'm hoping that pool has better lighting.