CrossFit Studio - feedback please!

Elaine

Yesterday, I did some shooting at my CrossFit Studio. The owner is looking for quality shots in the studio of people and equipment. Their website currently has generic stock photos on it and he wants to make it more personal. A bit cool and gritty is what we're going for.

This is a bit of a departure for me. I've enjoyed seeing some great shots of CrossFit and other fitness stuff here and in the people section. What I'm not doing is making a photo studio inside the CrossFit studio, which means there are some really cluttered backgrounds. What I took from yesterday's shoot was that I need to try using my 85 1.8 to try and blur those backgrounds more. And I need to bump ISO even more so I can increase shutter speed even more, although I kinda liked capturing a bit of motion blur.

I would love to know what people think of these. Do you think I'm on the right track? How are the comps and processing?

Thanks!

1 - f/2.8, 50mm


2 -f /2.8, 50mm


3 - f/3.2, 43mm


4 - f/3.2, 55mm


5 - f/4.0, 100mm


6 - f/4, 50mm


7 - f/8, 35mm

anonymouscuban

Elaine...

I think you're headed down the right path but not quite there yet. As you said, I think you need to use a shallower aperture to isolate your subject more. This should also help with the shutter speed issue. You want to mix it up though. Get some super sharp shots but also throw in some with implied movement. I like that fact that you're getting down low. Explore odd angles more to make the photos more dynamic. I think this type of subject matter lends itself well to breaking rules of composition. Seems like you got some nice natural light coming in... use that to your advantage.

BTW, I like the rope shot a lot. Thats kind of what you want to do... play with angles and get into the action.

Elaine

anonymouscuban wrote: »

Elaine...

I think you're headed down the right path but not quite there yet. As you said, I think you need to use a shallower aperture to isolate your subject more. This should also help with the shutter speed issue. You want to mix it up though. Get some super sharp shots but also throw in some with implied movement. I like that fact that you're getting down low. Explore odd angles more to make the photos more dynamic. I think this type of subject matter lends itself well to breaking rules of composition. Seems like you got some nice natural light coming in... use that to your advantage.

BTW, I like the rope shot a lot. Thats kind of what you want to do... play with angles and get into the action.

Thanks! I posted a bit more info for each photo, FYI. I started out with the 50 1.4 at f/2.8 and didn't feel like I could go much shallower than that for focus purposes. And, it didn't acquire focus as quickly as I would have liked, so I don't think I'll use that one again for action shots. Maybe the 85 at 2.2 or so? My 70-200 is an f/4 or I'd try it. I've wondered if a Lensbaby would be fun to use in this setting. I'd like to get up on a ladder and shoot down on some positions and then the floor would be the background. I really liked how the rope shot turned out to be an "X". And a couple of the shots (2 & 7) have the logo and signage of the place in the background, so I think the owner will like that. There are garage doors at both ends of the studio, so the light is pretty good. Hopefully, I can go back to shoot again this week (and not just work out!)

Also...should I go with a b&w version?

A couple more...

8 - f/2.8, 50mm


9


10 - too weird and flashy??

dbveto

Elaine wrote: »

Yesterday, I did some shooting at my CrossFit Studio. The owner is looking for quality shots in the studio of people and equipment. Their website currently has generic stock photos on it and he wants to make it more personal. A bit cool and gritty is what we're going for.

This is a bit of a departure for me. I've enjoyed seeing some great shots of CrossFit and other fitness stuff here and in the people section. What I'm not doing is making a photo studio inside the CrossFit studio, which means there are some really cluttered backgrounds. What I took from yesterday's shoot was that I need to try using my 85 1.8 to try and blur those backgrounds more. And I need to bump ISO even more so I can increase shutter speed even more, although I kinda liked capturing a bit of motion blur.

I would love to know what people think of these. Do you think I'm on the right track? How are the comps and processing?

Thanks!

Not sure what is up I don't see any pictures, are they hosted on your site? I can see picture on your site but not here?

Elaine

dbveto wrote: »

Not sure what is up I don't see any pictures, are they hosted on your site? I can see picture on your site but not here?

Hmmm...sorry about that! The gallery is unlisted, but external links are allowed, so I thought that would be OK. Maybe not??

anonymouscuban

I can see them just fine.

dbveto

anonymouscuban wrote: »

I can see them just fine.

Your Special rofl

Seriously thanks I will check at home to see if I can see them there.

Gretchen

Nice shots. Were these taking during the WOD or were these more posed? The shots I take at my box are during events and fund raisers so I tend to use my kit 70-200 lens and set my camera on automatic because of the cramped space and odd lighting. I'm constantly trying to keep out of the way (fearing getting knocked in the head with a Kettlebell!) and I do try to stay low to the ground. Sometimes I feel like I had more of workout than the people doing the Wod! Haven't had an opportunity to be able to take more "posed" shots, I think I need to work on that.

I have to tell you, those balls that look like concrete are a little scary. What are you using those for?

Elaine

Gretchen wrote: »

Nice shots. Were these taking during the WOD or were these more posed? The shots I take at my box are during events and fund raisers so I tend to use my kit 70-200 lens and set my camera on automatic because of the cramped space and odd lighting. I'm constantly trying to keep out of the way (fearing getting knocked in the head with a Kettlebell!) and I do try to stay low to the ground. Sometimes I feel like I had more of workout than the people doing the Wod! Haven't had an opportunity to be able to take more "posed" shots, I think I need to work on that.

I have to tell you, those balls that look like concrete are a little scary. What are you using those for?

The people shots were not posed at all...taken during a "hangover." I got there about 1/2 way through a class and they were just finishing up their main WOD, then started in on some core work. That's when I got down on the floor with them. Our space is not large at all, but there were only about 5 people at this particular class. I'm planning to attend some classes at other times of day, but some are really crowded, so I'm not sure that will work as well.

Those are indeed concrete balls (Atlas balls). I haven't used them yet, but I know they get used for simply picking up and putting down. Because they're kind of awkward, the technique becomes the important thing.

Qarik

the equipments shots are okay. the people shots are suitable for blog type deal imo but not as wall hangers in the gym. you may not want to build a studio in there but your HAVE to arrange a shot! Find clean backgrounds, find suitable models with appropriate dress, at least bring in an large umbrella to control your light better, arrange equipment and POSE your models. It's no small undertaking...but wall hangers are wall hangers.

anonymouscuban

Daniel is right. I'm going to be doing a very similar project. It's not a crossfit gym but a bootcamp gym. The head trainer and owner wants wall hangers and shots for the website of each of the trainers. I will be bring my strobes and softboxes. I'm even going to bring my black BG because I think she may want to shoot some bodyscape/silhouette type photos. My plan is to stage shots. They may be working out, but it will be staged. She wants the images to promote her business so they need to be real good. AND I'm hoping to get some business my way so it's important that these be the best I can get them.

VitaminV

I don't see your shots either. I also have the same problem with your 'swimming' post. Numbers and titles, but no pictures. Wonder what's up with that.

MikeV-

Gretchen

anonymouscuban wrote: »

Daniel is right. I'm going to be doing a very similar project. It's not a crossfit gym but a bootcamp gym. The head trainer and owner wants wall hangers and shots for the website of each of the trainers. I will be bring my strobes and softboxes. I'm even going to bring my black BG because I think she may want to shoot some bodyscape/silhouette type photos. My plan is to stage shots. They may be working out, but it will be staged. She wants the images to promote her business so they need to be real good. AND I'm hoping to get some business my way so it's important that these be the best I can get them.

You sure you don't Crossfit? I saw those photos of you without your shirt! Also what happened to your 100 strangers project.

anonymouscuban

I workout... just not crossfit. I tried it a couple times with a friend that's a big fan of it. It just didn't appeal to me. I'm a gym rat. I like to push heavy weight. I do a lot of the same stuff as crossfit... deadlight, squats, cleans, weighted pullups, dips, pushups... I'm just not into the burpees and all that other jazz.

About my 100 Strangers... in a bit of lull for a while. Haven't really been out on the streets shooting. However, I'm going to Vegas in a couple weeks for 5 days. My wife is taking a Finance Modeling class there so I decided to tag along since work is paying for the hotel. During the day while she's in training, I hope to do some hunting for new strangers. We're also going to Hawaii in October so hope to grab more there. Once I get back, I've made it a plan to head down to Hollywood and Downtown LA every couple weeks on my own to do something shooting too. Hopefully, I'll get that project back on track again.

Elaine

Qarik wrote: »

the equipments shots are okay. the people shots are suitable for blog type deal imo but not as wall hangers in the gym. you may not want to build a studio in there but your HAVE to arrange a shot! Find clean backgrounds, find suitable models with appropriate dress, at least bring in an large umbrella to control your light better, arrange equipment and POSE your models. It's no small undertaking...but wall hangers are wall hangers.

To be honest, I'm not sure that literal wall hangers are even desired here, but I understand what you mean. For me, this shoot was mainly about the equipment and just bringing my camera in and trying stuff, and I decided to test things out by grabbing some real people in action shots. I've already mentioned to the owner that I'll need to arrange a time to get some of his trainers in action (by that, I mean more staged). But I get the feeling he also wants real people doing real stuff in whatever they choose to wear. Going B&W can decrease distractions from colors.

As I said, this is a departure for me. I much prefer to observe and shoot than to direct. Direction shouldn't be hard here, though, because there are so many interesting positions and body shapes that happen regularly. It just may be tough to make it all happen outside of a work-out!

Elaine

anonymouscuban wrote: »

Daniel is right. I'm going to be doing a very similar project. It's not a crossfit gym but a bootcamp gym. The head trainer and owner wants wall hangers and shots for the website of each of the trainers. I will be bring my strobes and softboxes. I'm even going to bring my black BG because I think she may want to shoot some bodyscape/silhouette type photos. My plan is to stage shots. They may be working out, but it will be staged. She wants the images to promote her business so they need to be real good. AND I'm hoping to get some business my way so it's important that these be the best I can get them.

You will get amazing shots, I'm sure! The only lighting equipment I have is one flash and one umbrella, so we'll see what happens. It may be that I just hand over this job to someone more capable and experienced with lighting. It's not much of a high pressure situation for me. I do not want more business for myself, but I would like to learn and do the best that I can and provide the owner with stuff he actually likes and wants. Thanks for the push!

Elaine

VitaminV wrote: »

I don't see your shots either. I also have the same problem with your 'swimming' post. Numbers and titles, but no pictures. Wonder what's up with that.

MikeV-

Sorry to hear that! My swimming shots are probably better than these!

anonymouscuban

Elaine, you can do a lot with just one strobe. You try another session with strobe. For this, hard light is actually desired so you may not even want to use your umbrella.

BTW... I did see your swim shots and they were quite good. Really nice stuff.

Qarik

Elaine wrote: »

To be honest, I'm not sure that literal wall hangers are even desired here, but I understand what you mean. For me, this shoot was mainly about the equipment and just bringing my camera in and trying stuff, and I decided to test things out by grabbing some real people in action shots. I've already mentioned to the owner that I'll need to arrange a time to get some of his trainers in action (by that, I mean more staged). But I get the feeling he also wants real people doing real stuff in whatever they choose to wear. Going B&W can decrease distractions from colors.

As I said, this is a departure for me. I much prefer to observe and shoot than to direct. Direction shouldn't be hard here, though, because there are so many interesting positions and body shapes that happen regularly. It just may be tough to make it all happen outside of a work-out!

haha..photojournalistic crossfit! it could work!

I would be sure to get REALLY specific about what the owner wants but guide him/her..heavily.

Elaine

Qarik wrote: »

haha..photojournalistic crossfit! it could work!

I would be sure to get REALLY specific about what the owner wants but guide him/her..heavily.

I like that description!

I went to the noon class today and used the 85 1.8 and shot at 2.2. I thought I had more decent ones than I ended up keeping because there wasn't much room for error at that DOF. Oh well. More practice needed. I did like what the 2.2 did to backgrounds though.

I did try to use my flash today, but I'm having real trouble getting it to fire as a slave from my 7D. It works great at home, but doesn't seem to like this environment. I tried to just use the light from the garage doors and the skylights.

This one really isn't that sharp, but I liked it well enough to keep it for now.
1b


2b


3b - Very shallow DOF makes this one right on the edge of being a keeper.


4b - The owner did say he wanted sweat!


5b - I have this shot in my head that isn't quite there yet, but this is getting close. I have an idea on how to make it work a bit better next time. This one was with the 17-55 2.8 at 2.8.

anonymouscuban

Elaine,

Really step it up with these from the last batch.

#1 - Love this one... probably the best shot of the 5. Not sure why you think it's not sharp. Looks sharp to me. I love the comp. I think put her to the left 3rd of the photo really makes this much more dynamic that if you had stepped back to get both hands in the shot. This brings the viewer much closer and makes it a bit more intense. Love the light on it too.

#2 - I like the idea but not sure I like the angle. If you stepped over to the left a bit, is there stuff in the way? I don't like that you can barely see who I assume is the trainer.

#3 - Luke warm on this one. I would try straight from the front on that one so you got her head and shoulders. BTW, I think she should remove the plate off her back and to real pushups rather than those weighted "hump-ups" she's doing.

#4 - Like this one, but I wonder if it would improve if you had included some context. Is he pushing a sled or something? I like the intensity though.

#5 - Took me a minute to realize she's on rings and you're shooting up towards the ceiling. This shot has potential. I think you need to work on it though as you mentioned.

Elaine

anonymouscuban wrote: »

Elaine,

Really step it up with these from the last batch.

#1 - Love this one... probably the best shot of the 5. Not sure why you think it's not sharp. Looks sharp to me. I love the comp. I think put her to the left 3rd of the photo really makes this much more dynamic that if you had stepped back to get both hands in the shot. This brings the viewer much closer and makes it a bit more intense. Love the light on it too.

#2 - I like the idea but not sure I like the angle. If you stepped over to the left a bit, is there stuff in the way? I don't like that you can barely see who I assume is the trainer.

#3 - Luke warm on this one. I would try straight from the front on that one so you got her head and shoulders. BTW, I think she should remove the plate off her back and to real pushups rather than those weighted "hump-ups" she's doing.

#4 - Like this one, but I wonder if it would improve if you had included some context. Is he pushing a sled or something? I like the intensity though.

#5 - Took me a minute to realize she's on rings and you're shooting up towards the ceiling. This shot has potential. I think you need to work on it though as you mentioned.

Thank you!

#1 - The sharpness just isn't tack sharp on her eyes when you zoom in...more on her bangs and lips (and really not totally clear there either), but I think it's passable. I have another shot that is sharper, but her expression isn't as good. In the original shot, I severely clipped the hand on the left (using a prime in cramped quarters), so I went ahead and cropped it this way. And you know what...I kept looking at this one thinking the catchlights made it look like my flash did fire, and the EXIF says it did, so yay! It worked!

#2 - This rack is right up against a wall, so I couldn't really move left. I tend to think the fact that you can see the sliver of the trainer is just a bonus here!

#3 - Yes, I will try for that push-up shot another time. And I know you were (mostly) joking, but her hips were not touching the floor! Their work-out was a killer today!

#4 - I was trying to get a bit wider on this shot, but it just couldn't happen with the 85mm on board. I was on the floor, pushed up against some boxes, and he was on the floor, pushed up against a box, doing an ab roll. I figured it was clear enough that he was pushing something, and I was happy the focus was where it should be. BTW...that's my hubby!

#5 - Yes, I'd like the hand on the ring to be included in the shot, and I have a couple other comps I'd like to try. For some reason, my 17-55 was struggling a bit with focusing, so I just missed a couple other shots that may have been interesting. I hope to try for more on Saturday.

Tonight I showed the gym owner the shots I've kept and edited so far, and he loved them. He said he didn't want staged stuff and this was exactly what he wanted. Something personal to this studio that is unique and shows the people who work-out there. I was happy he was happy!

Elaine

Thought I'd share a few more. These were all shot with the Canon 7D, 85 1.8 at 2.5, ISO 1000 - 2000, natural light, no posing. I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I switched to AI Servo and got some better focusing with the shallow DOF. I always use AI Servo and rapid fire when shooting swimming. For these, I bumped the ISO and eventually switched to AI Servo focus (4, 5, 6).

1 - This could be sharper and probably would have been had I used AI Servo here, but I liked everything about it, so I'm keeping it.


2


3


4


5


6

rockcanyonphotos

Have you thought about trying BW with a draganizer effect? It has been a while since I posted but I am going to try and stick a few examples in this reply. I saw someone do this on their CF pic once and it adds a bit of an edge to the photos.





regards, Kevin