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BB Strobes - Learned a new lesson last night
First the setting... We had an in town rival game last night. The place was completely jammed to the rafters. Everyone stood the entire game in the bleachers. Standing room only in a balcony also. You couldn't even hear on the floor it was so loud.
The gym has TERRIBLE lighting, old recycling issues, WB issues etc... I had intended to use strobes to get over this. I set things up for the frosh and soph games and it worked great. However, I clamped my flashes on the guardrails and I failed to plan for such a big crowd last night. For the varsity game, people were standing in front of my flashes all night. Plan A out the window. I had to go to plan B and change my lens etc.
Next item on buying list for next season.... 13' light stands.
The gym has TERRIBLE lighting, old recycling issues, WB issues etc... I had intended to use strobes to get over this. I set things up for the frosh and soph games and it worked great. However, I clamped my flashes on the guardrails and I failed to plan for such a big crowd last night. For the varsity game, people were standing in front of my flashes all night. Plan A out the window. I had to go to plan B and change my lens etc.
Next item on buying list for next season.... 13' light stands.
Nikon D4, 400 2.8 AF-I, 70-200mm 2.8 VR II, 24-70 2.8
CBS Sports MaxPreps Shooter
http://DalbyPhoto.com
CBS Sports MaxPreps Shooter
http://DalbyPhoto.com
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Today, will be a different story. No lights.. I'm sad. I'm shooting at Valparaiso University for the ESPN Bracket Buster game. Unless someone leaves their lights on and doesn't mind me using them.. lol..
Do they really let you use flashes at these games? Isn't it completely distracting to the players to get flashed just as they are trying to make the shot?
I guess I've never noticed anyone taking flash photography at a basketball game before. Maybe I wasn't paying attention?
www.photographyjones.com
You can use flash and the reason is already given by saying you've never noticed anyone using flash. Players don't notice either.
The flash is an off camera flash. It is from the side and it is low power. I am now shooting at 1/4 power. I haven't had a single complaint. The first time I used flash at the school I primarily shoot for, the AD asked me about the flash just because it was the first time. He then cleared it with the coach and the refs and since then I haven't heard a word from anyone.
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http://www.ihsaa.org/dnn/Portals/0/ihsaa/documents/News%20Media/2010-11/StrobePolicy.pdf
Which basically says, they are OK as long as they are not in a direct line of sight as seen from on the court. If so, it says officials should work with the photographer to find another placement.. Never had that issue yet.
However, guy I've seen shooting direct flash on baseline is a no-no. Says should be bounced if on baseline.
If you are not line of sight it doesnt really bother the players but if you do use strobes of any sort make sure you carry insurance! Someone trips and falls and blames it on being temporarily blinded and its on you. Yes this can will and has happened. There was also the photog a few years back who got a wrongful death suit filed against him for the use of strobes at a wrestling meet were they were strictly prohibited. Kid had epilepsy and the strobes triggered convulsions and the kid died. His lawyer tried to argue that it wasnt his fault the kid was ill but that was a moot point as the strobes were prohibited and had he followed the rules none of them would have been in court in the first place. Cost his insurance company $2 million and he had to cough up the other $500K
Bottom line carry insurance and know your venues.
I am looking for good flash stands but I am worried about flash stands falling over. I think I can use ties to the guardrails to avoid any unfortunate circumstances. My freshman team plays in an accessory gym that has bleachers on one side that I can use but nothing to tie the light stand to on the other side. It would be dangerous and I don't see a way to have strobes at those games.
I am thinking about the Manfrotto 3363 13' stands.
Jim, when you get the stand to 13', is the stand wobbly at all?
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One little experiment I did last night was fun. So I had 4 flashes, 2 set to channel 3, 2 set to channel 4, each side of the baseline had a channel 3 & 4 light set to 1/4 power. When my friend wasn't using my other lights, I switched to channel 1. Holy crap! I went from 1/200@4.5 - ISO 1000 to 1/200 @ 4, ISO 400. I think that may be something I do in the future at 1/4 power with the flashes, just to give me 1/4 power total but still get quicker recycle times...