First attempts at swimming

MelPMelP Registered Users Posts: 131 Major grins
edited March 18, 2010 in Sports
I thought I would share a few shots from my daughter's swim meets. The first picture is from her first meet and my first time shooting swimming. I know it is very dark but I think I learned quite a bit from shooting that day. The next two pictures are from the meet this last weekend. They turned out a little better (a little on the noisy side) but I know I still have lots to learn!!!!

I would love any tips you may have on shooting swimming.

808528603_25fJW-M.jpg

810128346_bB3o2-M.jpg

810127698_Zy97y-M.jpg

Thanks for looking,
Mel

Comments

  • du8diedu8die Registered Users Posts: 358 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2010
    Hi,

    Yes, you did learn after the first time out. :) Well done.

    The second and third shots seem soft to me - or maybe it's motion blur. What shutter speeds did you get?

    As far as swimming goes - get as low as you possibly can - especially for the fly shot. Here's an example. It's tipping, but still - illustrates the point.

    430697463_KxR8L-M.jpg

    For this one, I was literally laying on the edge of the pool. Don't know if it's always possible - this was a staged shot... But still - low = good in sports.

    Hope that's helpful!

    d8
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  • SharkBytesSharkBytes Registered Users Posts: 13 Big grins
    edited March 17, 2010
    Mel,

    I don't have any cool technical info to pass along, but something you may want to consider...... I have been shooting my kids swimming for a couple of years now, and to get on deck access, I offered to take action shots of all the kids on the team. Now I'm one of the "de-facto" team photographers, and as long as I don't use flash at the starts or get in the officials' way, I can go where I want. One of the best areas is the unused (during meets) lifeguard stands, which is perfect to get backstroke shots from above... or else it's "chin and nostrils"......
    Kevin
  • OldGuyOldGuy Registered Users Posts: 301 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2010
    MelP wrote:
    I thought I would share a few shots from my daughter's swim meets. The first picture is from her first meet and my first time shooting swimming. I know it is very dark but I think I learned quite a bit from shooting that day. The next two pictures are from the meet this last weekend. They turned out a little better (a little on the noisy side) but I know I still have lots to learn!!!!

    I would love any tips you may have on shooting swimming.

    808528603_25fJW-M.jpg

    810128346_bB3o2-M.jpg

    810127698_Zy97y-M.jpg

    Thanks for looking,
    Mel

    Hi Mel,
    You are off to a great start!

    I agree with d8 and Kevin. The first shot might be saved with some careful editing. 2 & 3 are a little soft
    and Look a little flat to me. Could you post your camera settings? I shoot most of my swimming @ f2.8, 1/320-400, ISO 1250, and auto WB.

    John
    John Walker


    http://www.walkerimages.smugmug.com
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  • MelPMelP Registered Users Posts: 131 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2010
    Thanks for all the comments. I agree they are a little soft. I know I need a better lens and I'm looking at getting the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 soon.

    Here are the settings for the 2nd pic: 1/250, f5.8, 800 iso, auto WB
    3rd pic: 1/400, f5.8, 800 iso, auto WB

    I thought about shooting at a higher ISO but was afraid they would be a little noisy. I think the noise from these came from processing b/c they were still underexposed. I think next time I'll try the higher ISO.

    Thanks,
    Mel
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