Yeah, the ladder is always handy. I used it to get ON the backboard, I was standing on the lower crossbar of the backboard and wrapped my arms around the vertical post.
Yeah I was going to post a shot similar to DBL. I dont know if you need to climb up on the backboard, but then again I think I was using a 15 foot step ladder.
Its always nice to have an assistant for those kinds of things, even if it is just to hand the camera up to you while on the ladder and to steady the ladder while you are on it. No need to kill yourself over a shot.
In addition to the top down. you can also take a good bottom up shot, getting real low and shooting up. like this:
Have them stand on a 45 but face you, it is a much more flattering pose. If the ceiling is uninteresting it may not work. Here I was trying to catch the banners in the pose. If they can palm the ball, holding the ball out at you would proably look cool too.
Yeah I was going to post a shot similar to DBL. I dont know if you need to climb up on the backboard, but then again I think I was using a 15 foot step ladder.
Its always nice to have an assistant for those kinds of things, even if it is just to hand the camera up to you while on the ladder and to steady the ladder while you are on it. No need to kill yourself over a shot.
Thats what the coach was for, he did steady the ladder and hand me the camera. The ladder was not tall enough for me to get the angle I wanted. I also had about 1 minute to get the shot, hence the feet not lined up perfectly around the arc and the untied shoes and lack of shoes. Sometimes you've got to wing it and come up with something fast, as was this case. It certainly was nothing unsafe, but others may not be as comfortable. I wanted the wood floor to be the background, not the walls and unflattering ceiling. Just another "angle" to look at.
Thats what the coach was for, he did steady the ladder and hand me the camera. The ladder was not tall enough for me to get the angle I wanted. I also had about 1 minute to get the shot, hence the feet not lined up perfectly around the arc and the untied shoes and lack of shoes. Sometimes you've got to wing it and come up with something fast, as was this case. It certainly was nothing unsafe, but others may not be as comfortable. I wanted the wood floor to be the background, not the walls and unflattering ceiling. Just another "angle" to look at.
Wow, I hope you didnt think I was critizing your shots, because in the beginning of my post I said I was going to post a shot very similar but I found it unecessary since you had already posted shots exhibting a good example of a type of basketball team shot that is common and works.
I just wanted to make sure that Ann thought about making sure a ladder was secure before she crawled up there. Because when ever you are setting up a team shot, you are always short on time and full of "would of", "could of", "should ofs" so knowing some things in advance always help.
Wow, I hope you didnt think I was critizing your shots, because in the beginning of my post I said I was going to post a shot very similar but I found it unecessary since you had already posted shots exhibting a good example of a type of basketball team shot that is common and works.
I just wanted to make sure that Ann thought about making sure a ladder was secure before she crawled up there. Because when ever you are setting up a team shot, you are always short on time and full of "would of", "could of", "should ofs" so knowing some things in advance always help.
Nope, its all good, didn't feel like you were critizing at all. Just felt I should explain why I used the backboard for a stand. I actually feel better standing on a crossbar than a ladder...but that might just be me.:D
Nope, its all good, didn't feel like you were critizing at all. Just felt I should explain why I used the backboard for a stand. I actually feel better standing on a crossbar than a ladder...but that might just be me.:D
Cool
Althought this conversation does bring up a good point and I know ann you have taken group shots before so you proably know to check jerseys and shoes and hand placement and stuff.
Thats why it always great to have an extra set of eyes for these kinds of things.
Thanks for the tips guys.
If these photos get taken it will be in a hall, not a gym, so typical bball props won't be available unfortunately. At this point I do not even know if they are boys or girls or their ages.
I have not been to the hall but I am guessing lighting will be lousy. I do not have any off camera lights yet, but I know it is time to get some. Do either of you use lights, flash or nothing?
I just use a 580EX on a flash bracket, I try to use ambient as much as I can and use the flash for fill. I'm primarily a sports guy, not a lighting guy. I'm sure those much more qualified than I will give you some pointers.
Thanks for the tips guys.
If these photos get taken it will be in a hall, not a gym, so typical bball props won't be available unfortunately. At this point I do not even know if they are boys or girls or their ages.
I have not been to the hall but I am guessing lighting will be lousy. I do not have any off camera lights yet, but I know it is time to get some. Do either of you use lights, flash or nothing?
Thanks
ann
I have a set of alien bees I use, but really an on camera flash and a 580 could proably do ya fine.
So, I did these shots - 2 teams on two different days.
The girls team are U14 or so - and really full of spunk. The hall was small, dingy and without a solid wall. The snow was gone from the outdoor basketball court, so out we went. Probably only 5 degrees C outside, but the girsl were great. I had them do layups, I knelt behind the basket and shot as they approached. It worked really well. We did a standard two row team photo, but the girls were giggling and wiggling - so not static.
I photographed the boys today - 8 & 9 year olds. So they could do layups, but not quite as well. The coach was great and made a few suggestions - we ended up having the boys pretend to shoot - so they look like action shots but there were many fewer dropped balls.
I am quite happy with them. Not done editing yet, but I will share when I get them posted to smugmug.
Best part about this - the coach has just taken on the role of organizing team photos for their 8 to 10 soccer teams and has asked me to pick my date!!!!barb
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Lots of good T&I suggestions.
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#1
#2 As shot from the camera no PP work, sorry.
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Love your posters!
ann
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Its always nice to have an assistant for those kinds of things, even if it is just to hand the camera up to you while on the ladder and to steady the ladder while you are on it. No need to kill yourself over a shot.
In addition to the top down. you can also take a good bottom up shot, getting real low and shooting up. like this:
Have them stand on a 45 but face you, it is a much more flattering pose. If the ceiling is uninteresting it may not work. Here I was trying to catch the banners in the pose. If they can palm the ball, holding the ball out at you would proably look cool too.
Thats what the coach was for, he did steady the ladder and hand me the camera. The ladder was not tall enough for me to get the angle I wanted. I also had about 1 minute to get the shot, hence the feet not lined up perfectly around the arc and the untied shoes and lack of shoes. Sometimes you've got to wing it and come up with something fast, as was this case. It certainly was nothing unsafe, but others may not be as comfortable. I wanted the wood floor to be the background, not the walls and unflattering ceiling. Just another "angle" to look at.
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Wow, I hope you didnt think I was critizing your shots, because in the beginning of my post I said I was going to post a shot very similar but I found it unecessary since you had already posted shots exhibting a good example of a type of basketball team shot that is common and works.
I just wanted to make sure that Ann thought about making sure a ladder was secure before she crawled up there. Because when ever you are setting up a team shot, you are always short on time and full of "would of", "could of", "should ofs" so knowing some things in advance always help.
Nope, its all good, didn't feel like you were critizing at all. Just felt I should explain why I used the backboard for a stand. I actually feel better standing on a crossbar than a ladder...but that might just be me.:D
Canon Gear
Cool
Althought this conversation does bring up a good point and I know ann you have taken group shots before so you proably know to check jerseys and shoes and hand placement and stuff.
Thats why it always great to have an extra set of eyes for these kinds of things.
If these photos get taken it will be in a hall, not a gym, so typical bball props won't be available unfortunately. At this point I do not even know if they are boys or girls or their ages.
I have not been to the hall but I am guessing lighting will be lousy. I do not have any off camera lights yet, but I know it is time to get some. Do either of you use lights, flash or nothing?
Thanks
ann
My Galleries My Photography BLOG
Ramblings About Me
Canon Gear
I have a set of alien bees I use, but really an on camera flash and a 580 could proably do ya fine.
The girls team are U14 or so - and really full of spunk. The hall was small, dingy and without a solid wall. The snow was gone from the outdoor basketball court, so out we went. Probably only 5 degrees C outside, but the girsl were great. I had them do layups, I knelt behind the basket and shot as they approached. It worked really well. We did a standard two row team photo, but the girls were giggling and wiggling - so not static.
I photographed the boys today - 8 & 9 year olds. So they could do layups, but not quite as well. The coach was great and made a few suggestions - we ended up having the boys pretend to shoot - so they look like action shots but there were many fewer dropped balls.
I am quite happy with them. Not done editing yet, but I will share when I get them posted to smugmug.
Best part about this - the coach has just taken on the role of organizing team photos for their 8 to 10 soccer teams and has asked me to pick my date!!!!
Thanks for your help with this.
ann
My Galleries My Photography BLOG
Ramblings About Me