They tell a story, but the uneven exposure on the backgrounds distract. You can't help that considering the time of day, but sometimes when covering events choosing a location and being ready for the action to take place at that location can minimize the distractions. When dealing with shadows and light during the day I find it is better to shoot the subjects when they are in full sun. The first one would be better had the woman been in full light so you wouldn't have the blown highlights in the background. The shaded areas would have been darker but the exposure would have been better. Covering events sometimes you can't help the positions people get into so if it's all you get that's the breaks. However, being patient and waiting for action to take place in areas that do look good can pay off. I have found it is good to get the basic shots you can use and then concentrate on making great shots.
Vignettes (and cropping) are your friend!! Totally would "fix" a lot of the lighting issues that John is mentioning above, eg in #1, lose a little off camera left and add a vignette. 1 minute edit that will make a big difference, IMO. In three, lose the phantom hands on the right (they don't really add to the story IMO)
I did try some vignetting and it improved the images. Thanks! I have already done what I could with the lighting, and can not afford to any Herculean efforts to do much with that.
In the third image the hands on the right edge are holding a laser gun and the guy on the left is running away as they shoot at each other. Yes it would have been nice to see more of the guy on the left.
Not to make any excuses, but (:D), the teams run all over the place without any set pattern. The ingrates have no concern for the poor photographer chasing team after team like a dog trying to catch a heard of cats.
They end up facing different directions and moving swiftly in no discernible pattern. The lighting is what it is.
All you can do is try and catch what you can. The basics are that your subjects are running all over while you, the photographer are running all over to catch them. They stop, you stop and have seconds if you lucky to put the camera to your eye, get focus, frame and shoot.
I did try some vignetting and it improved the images. Thanks! I have already done what I could with the lighting, and can not afford to any Herculean efforts to do much with that.
In the third image the hands on the right edge are holding a laser gun and the guy on the left is running away as they shoot at each other. Yes it would have been nice to see more of the guy on the left.
Not to make any excuses, but (:D), the teams run all over the place without any set pattern. The ingrates have no concern for the poor photographer chasing team after team like a dog trying to catch a heard of cats.
They end up facing different directions and moving swiftly in no discernible pattern. The lighting is what it is.
All you can do is try and catch what you can. The basics are that your subjects are running all over while you, the photographer are running all over to catch them. They stop, you stop and have seconds if you lucky to put the camera to your eye, get focus, frame and shoot.
Sam
I get the part about the participants running around in random patters. This is why when I cover events where conditions are bad I get the shots that can be used, and then set up for the better shots by finding a spot that looks good and waiting for subjects to get into those areas. Instead of running around, you wait for the action to be in the better areas. That is the part as a photographer you can control.
...the teams run all over the place without any set pattern. The ingrates have no concern for the poor photographer chasing team after team like a dog trying to catch a heard of cats.
They end up facing different directions and moving swiftly in no discernible pattern. The lighting is what it is.
All you can do is try and catch what you can. The basics are that your subjects are running all over while you, the photographer are running all over to catch them. They stop, you stop and have seconds if you lucky to put the camera to your eye, get focus, frame and shoot.
Sounds pretty much like one of the options for w/life 'togs trying to capture action shots too
... and then set up for the better shots by finding a spot that looks good and waiting for subjects to get into those areas. Instead of running around, you wait for the action to be in the better areas. That is the part as a photographer you can control.
... and this is the other ...
Wandering around chasing the action offers the potential for a range of shots .. but often reduced (or no) control over the background / light, whereas finding locations that offer both light and bg control ... and hope for action. Both have pros n cons, depends a little on one's view of bg importance and chances of success with the lying in wait approach option increase with more / deeper knowledge of the subject matter.
I know ziltch about this activity, but I'd have thought that better / clearer depiction of the weapons used would be preferred, rather than having them getting 'lost' in the body mass of the operator ... as in 1 and 2?
Lower pov to add even more dramatic / 'heroic figure' effect maybe?
Again I want to thank you all for your input. While we might see some of the comments as too picky, and even I who abhors excuses may wiggle a little , these are the inputs from different eyes that can lead to better images.
Here is the OOC image.
#1
#2
Here is my re-processed version with additional selected exposure adjustments and a vignette.
Is this any better? Other thoughts are encouraged as well.
You wanted to see more of the guns?
#4
This is a part of the area where the event was held.
#5
Comments
I did try some vignetting and it improved the images. Thanks! I have already done what I could with the lighting, and can not afford to any Herculean efforts to do much with that.
In the third image the hands on the right edge are holding a laser gun and the guy on the left is running away as they shoot at each other. Yes it would have been nice to see more of the guy on the left.
Not to make any excuses, but (:D), the teams run all over the place without any set pattern. The ingrates have no concern for the poor photographer chasing team after team like a dog trying to catch a heard of cats.
They end up facing different directions and moving swiftly in no discernible pattern. The lighting is what it is.
All you can do is try and catch what you can. The basics are that your subjects are running all over while you, the photographer are running all over to catch them. They stop, you stop and have seconds if you lucky to put the camera to your eye, get focus, frame and shoot.
Sam
I get the part about the participants running around in random patters. This is why when I cover events where conditions are bad I get the shots that can be used, and then set up for the better shots by finding a spot that looks good and waiting for subjects to get into those areas. Instead of running around, you wait for the action to be in the better areas. That is the part as a photographer you can control.
Sounds pretty much like one of the options for w/life 'togs trying to capture action shots too
... and this is the other ...
Wandering around chasing the action offers the potential for a range of shots .. but often reduced (or no) control over the background / light, whereas finding locations that offer both light and bg control ... and hope for action. Both have pros n cons, depends a little on one's view of bg importance and chances of success with the lying in wait approach option increase with more / deeper knowledge of the subject matter.
I know ziltch about this activity, but I'd have thought that better / clearer depiction of the weapons used would be preferred, rather than having them getting 'lost' in the body mass of the operator ... as in 1 and 2?
Lower pov to add even more dramatic / 'heroic figure' effect maybe?
pp
Flickr
Here is the OOC image.
#1
#2
Here is my re-processed version with additional selected exposure adjustments and a vignette.
Is this any better? Other thoughts are encouraged as well.
You wanted to see more of the guns?
#4
This is a part of the area where the event was held.
#5
Here is the blue's team photo.
#6
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
I don't think they really understand mean.
Sam
www.katetaylor.smugmug.com
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Mark Twain