Squash -- The Next Frontier
Moving into winter sports now, and squash seems like it's going to be uniquely challenging. Apart from the usual white balance issues associated with indoor sports, there's the whole "shooting through a glass wall" thing. My assumption is that auto focus won't work at all, but would love to be corrected on that. This was one of a series that I shot casually, and I didn't bother with much PP except for white balance and maybe noise reduction. What I hadn't anticipated about the glass factor was the reflection -- I don't know how well it will show up in the post, but on my computer screen I can see myself and others in the gallery reflected off the back glass.
I know that shots of backs are not much to get excited about, but that's the geometry of this sport; I will hope to get some good faces on digs out of the back corners.
Any tips would be appreciated. PS, I will be shooting mostly with an 85 f/1.8, although this was taken with a 24 - 105 f/4.
I know that shots of backs are not much to get excited about, but that's the geometry of this sport; I will hope to get some good faces on digs out of the back corners.
Any tips would be appreciated. PS, I will be shooting mostly with an 85 f/1.8, although this was taken with a 24 - 105 f/4.
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Will
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Congratulations on having the only thread on squash (my favourite sport) on Dgrin!
I believe Will was referring to doing it during the warmup, but I agree that the way some guys hit either a) you could even be hit if you're behind the glass or b) they hit accurately but practice a variety of shots to get warmed up so there is no 'safe' corner.
To get around the glass, I've seen cameras set up on the top of the glass on the side wall... But I haven't done it myself.
Too bad we can't all shoot pro squash with the convenient transparent front wall. Any in-game pic worth anything is taken from those tiny windows.
I'm wondering whether there's a Photoshop solution to the reflection issue anyway. Right now, I'm too busy working on the shooting aspect to figure that out.
Big prep squash event coming up for me in early December -- stay tuned, if I get anything good I'll share it!
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KED,
I don't know about shooting squash, or any other food group for that matter , but you can eliminate the glass reflection if you can move right up to the glass. Put your lens as close as you can to the glass when shooting, that will not give it a chance for any reflections.
Hmmm... I might try shooting some carrots tomorrow
I for one will be looking forward to any shots you get...
Thanks for sharing!
I know some courts have seating above the back glass. Shooting from up there occasionally would give a different perspective.
Neil
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Up tight to the glass is something another pro recently suggested to me. I will try that -- the players might find it annoying but it's infinitely better than the on-court alternative. Do you have a glass issue at bull riding?
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NO glass around bulls -- I've seen them bend 3" steel pipe many a time
Besides, I'm IN the arena with them
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I have two hockey threads right now and they were taken through glass. Acutally, nearly all of my hockey phtos are through glass. I do have some issues at some rinks, but I just walk around until I find a position that's better.
Have you ever thought about building a plex-glass box for your camera and sticking it inside of the court? It's similar to a camera inside net behind the goalie...
I don't think the on-court plexi option is viable below the pro level (certainly not HS prep or below), but it sure is appealing.
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So...any shots yet?
PS: I'll get in the crease if you will...
Will
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If I get anything good (or spectacularly bad), it will be up around Tuesday. Thanks for asking.
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Try leveraging practice time. Lob shots drop into the back corners, players sometimes turn around and play the ball off the back wall. You can also try having them reverse and play against the back wall instead of the front. Aside from you getting a better perspective it will give them an opportunity to have some heated arguments over shots hitting the "tin". The white floors may provide enough reflection that you don't get harsh shadows on the faces from the overhead lights but you might try using your flash off-camera. Either position it on your side of the glass and deal with the reflection or clamp it above but to the side of the players. Depending on the ambient/flash ratio, the flash will either overpower (and become the main light) or "fill" the overhead lights. You will be able to get dramatic lighting using your flash if you can control the overhead lights. I'm imagining a player working the corner, wide-angle lens, hair flowing, athletic body position, racket slightly blurred, ball clearly in play.
I played a lot of squash as a youth and I've spent the last 5 years trying to get good ice hockey photos, often through glass.
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