Girls Basketball, my latest attempt

JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
edited December 25, 2010 in Sports
After getting poor positioning for the last couple games (refs LOVE to get right in front of me to watch the action under the basken... :scratch :beatwax ) I was finally able to shoot at my old high school that has more than 6 inches beyond the baseline to move around. Unfortunately all of the new schools end in a wall at the end of the HS team name... which is painful!


Anyway, this is my 2 light setup. 1 light mounted to the bleachers camera right, the other camera left mounted on a 13' light stand (bleachers weren't out.) Set to 1/8 power. Left was a 580EX, right 550EX. ISO 1600, 1/200 @ 4.5. Ambient measured 1/250@2.8, ISO 1600.

Hopefully getting there.. takes a while for me to get back into a different sport after shooting something (football) for a season.

C&C MUCH appreciated!

#1
1120856087_YhKuo-L.jpg

#2
1120856107_cmrRd-L.jpg

#3
1120856291_YQ9sg-L.jpg

#4 (She was upset. Just fouled out)
1120856295_EWtAm-L.jpg

#5
1120856401_WNK9u-L.jpg

#6 - Main reason I love this one is oddly, the deflection of the ball, squashed!
1120856602_wpZtZ-L.jpg

#7 - Loose ball recovery
1120856723_3f5E5-L.jpg

#8 - The layup (shocked how many HS boys & girls miss the gimme shot!)
1120856846_hNMzQ-L.jpg

#9
1120856945_eF9wr-L.jpg

#10
1120857054_2a5KU-L.jpg


Thanks All!!!
Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com

Comments

  • 73Rocks73Rocks Registered Users Posts: 147 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2010
    JimKarczewski wrote: »
    After getting poor positioning for the last couple games (refs LOVE to get right in front of me to watch the action under the basken... headscratch.gif :beatwax ) I was finally able to shoot at my old high school that has more than 6 inches beyond the baseline to move around. Unfortunately all of the new schools end in a wall at the end of the HS team name... which is painful!


    Anyway, this is my 2 light setup. 1 light mounted to the bleachers camera right, the other camera left mounted on a 13' light stand (bleachers weren't out.) Set to 1/8 power. Left was a 580EX, right 550EX. ISO 1600, 1/200 @ 4.5. Ambient measured 1/250@2.8, ISO 1600.

    Hopefully getting there.. takes a while for me to get back into a different sport after shooting something (football) for a season.

    C&C MUCH appreciated!

    I like your exposures . . . I dream of the day I can shoot with a couple of remote flashes mounted to each side!

    For not doing that much basketball you seem to have your timing down.

    My biggest suggestion is do some cropping to cut out anything that does not contribute to the action without cutting out too much.

    The refs getting in the way . . . I feel your pain but they are necessary. Just wait until you do a game with 3 refs!

    Examples -

    #2 Crop tighter all around
    #6 Crop tighter all around
    #8 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform and a lot of the "empty" space in the right hand part of the picture
    #9 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform in the left hand part of the picture
    #10 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform in the right hand part of the picture

    Thanks for sharing!
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2010
    73Rocks wrote: »
    I like your exposures . . . I dream of the day I can shoot with a couple of remote flashes mounted to each side!

    For not doing that much basketball you seem to have your timing down.

    My biggest suggestion is do some cropping to cut out anything that does not contribute to the action without cutting out too much.

    The refs getting in the way . . . I feel your pain but they are necessary. Just wait until you do a game with 3 refs!

    Examples -

    #2 Crop tighter all around
    #6 Crop tighter all around
    #8 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform and a lot of the "empty" space in the right hand part of the picture
    #9 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform in the left hand part of the picture
    #10 Crop out the part image of the girl in the White uniform in the right hand part of the picture

    Thanks for sharing!

    Thanks,I know.. I should had cropped more. I just didn't. Next time when I process.

    Funny thing about shooting these things is I shoot one frame at a time. Yeah, my camera is set on multi-shot, but a 5DMkII is only 3.5fps, which is SLOOOOOW in sports. So, timing is everything IMHO. So to get these down as they were, was really a boost knowing I could anticipate the action. Sometimes it didn't work, but a lot of times it did. Besides, I know my flash will keep up for at least 4-5 shots, but I don't want to count on it.
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2010
    Personally, I hate direct light when used for Basketball, even when off camera. I think you will have better luck bouncing off the ceiling with two strobes. IF you have a wall behind you, you can bounce the light off the back wall with the flash mounted to the camera which is much simpler. Bouncing off the ceiling with one flash mounted to the camera is doable as well.

    You do need to crop tighter.

    You also need to shoot from a lower angle. Looks like you were taking these standing up. Keeling or sitting makes for for a much more dynamic image and it flatters the subjects.
    www.jonimages.com
  • Scott293Scott293 Registered Users Posts: 369 Major grins
    edited December 13, 2010
    Here are a couple examples of bouncing off the ceiling and back wall on camera I did the other night.

    1.
    1120714902_wKLCt-L.jpg

    2.
    1120731651_ZR2US-L-1.jpg

    3.
    1120713664_NArQ2-L-1.jpg

    Like Jonh68 said it's a lot simpler!
    Scott Davis

    Nikon D70,D2H,D300,Nikkor 300mm f2.8,Nikkor 80-200 f2.8, Nikkor 24-70 AF-S f2.8,Nikkor 50 f1.8

    www.ScottDavis.smugmug.com
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited December 13, 2010
    My personal taste for lighting is the way I'm doing it. You don't need to bounce.. yeah, you get a big surface, but it's not my intention to light everything... The photos that are bounced off a wall, or placed at the baseline (which is what the local newspaper guy did at Satudays game) are broadly lit and look the same IMHO as a direct light and looses the depth you get when you side light.. Get more dimension out of the pictures.


    Different Strokes for Different Folks.
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited December 14, 2010
    JimKarczewski wrote: »
    My personal taste for lighting is the way I'm doing it. You don't need to bounce.. yeah, you get a big surface, but it's not my intention to light everything... The photos that are bounced off a wall, or placed at the baseline (which is what the local newspaper guy did at Satudays game) are broadly lit and look the same IMHO as a direct light and looses the depth you get when you side light.. Get more dimension out of the pictures.


    Different Strokes for Different Folks.

    I can understand that. The reason I don't like the way you do it is because it looks unnatural to the playing conditions and doesn't look much better than direct flash because it makes the place look like a dungeon.

    Your lighting style would be great for portraits and non-action shots of the players. Action wise, your pics are underexposed, faces are hard to see because of the harsh shadows, and it makes for an unnatural look to how the scene looks.
    www.jonimages.com
  • TrapshooterTrapshooter Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited December 23, 2010
    Since I am new to action photography, heck to any photography for matter. I am interested in shooting high school BBall for my daughters. I bought a Canon EOS40D last summer and used it for soccer season but am not satisfied with my BBall pictures.

    I currently have a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lense. I have access to the baseline at home games and some of the away games. However, I have been told that I am not allowed to use a flash during the games.

    To lighten the shoots I have set my camera to aperature setting on the camera but I am getting blurr. To remove the blur, I tried shutter priority setting but then my pictures are dark. I asked the local camera shop and they said to increas my ISO but that it will make my photos "grainy". Right now I am printing 4x6, 5x7 and some 8x10's. However, I would like to be able to print larger sizes (posters) for my daughters and their friends.

    I really like taking pictures but I would like for them to look half-way decent.

    Any help or suggestions that you can offer a newbie would be much appreciated.
  • rainbowrainbow Registered Users Posts: 2,765 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    Trapshooter wrote: »
    Since I am new to action photography, heck to any photography for matter. I am interested in shooting high school BBall for my daughters. I bought a Canon EOS40D last summer and used it for soccer season but am not satisfied with my BBall pictures.

    I currently have a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lense. I have access to the baseline at home games and some of the away games. However, I have been told that I am not allowed to use a flash during the games.

    To lighten the shoots I have set my camera to aperature setting on the camera but I am getting blurr. To remove the blur, I tried shutter priority setting but then my pictures are dark. I asked the local camera shop and they said to increas my ISO but that it will make my photos "grainy". Right now I am printing 4x6, 5x7 and some 8x10's. However, I would like to be able to print larger sizes (posters) for my daughters and their friends.

    I really like taking pictures but I would like for them to look half-way decent.

    Any help or suggestions that you can offer a newbie would be much appreciated.

    With my 40D, I use either the Canon 85/f1.8 or 135/f2. I shoot both at f2, ISO 1600, to try and get 1/400 or faster on the shutter. Avoid shots where they are running toward you. If taking perimeter shots, I might use "one shot" or AI Servo, center focus point only on both. Will bump to 3200 ISO if necessary, but if so, make sure I am not underexposing.
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    Trapshooter wrote: »
    Since I am new to action photography, heck to any photography for matter. I am interested in shooting high school BBall for my daughters. I bought a Canon EOS40D last summer and used it for soccer season but am not satisfied with my BBall pictures.

    I currently have a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lense. I have access to the baseline at home games and some of the away games. However, I have been told that I am not allowed to use a flash during the games.

    To lighten the shoots I have set my camera to aperature setting on the camera but I am getting blurr. To remove the blur, I tried shutter priority setting but then my pictures are dark. I asked the local camera shop and they said to increas my ISO but that it will make my photos "grainy". Right now I am printing 4x6, 5x7 and some 8x10's. However, I would like to be able to print larger sizes (posters) for my daughters and their friends.

    I really like taking pictures but I would like for them to look half-way decent.

    Any help or suggestions that you can offer a newbie would be much appreciated.

    Depends on what state you are in AND on the refs. In Indiana, all HS (well, grades 5-12) are officiated by IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) referees. Now, IHSAA rules state you MAY use flash, however, it is up to the discretion of the referees. So if they think you flash is a hindrance, they can tell you no. However, I haven't run into a single ref that has said anything and I've used flash (specifically off camera, NEVER on camera) at 7th, 8th and Varsity HS games with no problems. Your profile doesn't state where you are so I can't say what the rules are for your specific state....
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • TrapshooterTrapshooter Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    JimKarczewski,

    Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has the same rules as Indiana. The Athletic Director of my local High School told me about the rule. I am trying to avoid using a flash if possible, since I do not have one yet.

    Thanks for the suggestions, I will try that at the next game. The good thing for me is my critics are to young ladies who want pictures of their friend and I want pics of my kids. With that being said, I would really like to be able to take pictuers like I have seen on this website.

    On a side note my daugther (age 13) thinks I need a "Photography for Dummies" book!
  • RedFish71`RedFish71` Registered Users Posts: 58 Big grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    great thread! thanks for everyone participating. i learned a lot!! happy holidays everyone!!
    Harold Davis


    http://redfishphotography.net
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    Hey, anything can be better than this... and this was PUBLISHED in the newspaper. Our local paper is going down hill quick with the quality of their pictures..

    http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/article_ea881552-5484-5f9e-8212-c8f6cf08dd62.html?mode=image

    And he was using a 1DIV with 70-200 and on camera flash. Shows it's NOT the equipment you use.. it was pretty bright in there, I was shooting ISO1250 I believe...
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • RedFish71`RedFish71` Registered Users Posts: 58 Big grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    they dont look bad. just unprocessed. i could make those sing!! i just need his equip!!!!
    Harold Davis


    http://redfishphotography.net
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    RedFish71` wrote: »
    they dont look bad. just unprocessed. i could make those sing!! i just need his equip!!!!

    I agree. They need some pp work but they are not too bad, at least not bad enough to be pointed out as bad examples of sports photography.
    www.jonimages.com
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    jonh68 wrote: »
    I agree. They need some pp work but they are not too bad, at least not bad enough to be pointed out as bad examples of sports photography.

    No, they aren't horrible, unless you saw them in print... Add another stop of darkness to them.. If you shoot for a news paper (and are using flash like he was) you should at least be able to PROPERLY expose the subject.
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    JimKarczewski wrote: »
    No, they aren't horrible, unless you saw them in print... Add another stop of darkness to them.. If you shoot for a news paper (and are using flash like he was) you should at least be able to PROPERLY expose the subject.

    True, but pp can salvage most of these, enough for print anyway, and they do capture good action. He may have been under a deadline and couldn't process as other pics by him show proper exposure. Again, no need to point his pics out in a thread about yours.
    www.jonimages.com
  • JacobovsJacobovs Registered Users Posts: 491 Major grins
    edited December 25, 2010
    I'm probably alone here but exposure and lighting aside. I don't understand most of your shots. I love #4, it really tells a story.

    #1 is not tight enough and even if it were, I'm not sure it would look right.
    #2 Not really sure it works, what is going on?
    #3 I have never been fond of shots of player's backs
    #4 is a nice shot
    #5 Can't see it on my monitor
    #6 interesting point about the ball but it's not tight enough and Sorry, not that interesting from an action perspective
    #7 Again , not really interesting from an action perspective
    #8 Nice try, the arm covers the face and it's not tight enough
    #9 Tightened up, I think it has potential
    #10 Nice expression, again I think tightening up would make this one a keeper.

    Check out Scott's examples posted on this thread. Each of them captures interesting action and has nice tight crops.

    Hope this helps. All of these comments are just my humble opinion
    www.jacobovitz.smugmug.com
Sign In or Register to comment.