First Swim Meet

[Rjohnston]

I got some freelance work through a friend of mine for a small town newspaper. This was my first job for them. C&C welcome as always, and any tips for next time.

1
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0023.jpg

2
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0022.jpg

3
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0024.jpg

4
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0025.jpg

[Tareq]

They are nice, but i don't know why i feel it is either not in focus very well in spite of the high shutter speed, or sharpness is not enough.
I saw many swimming shots much better than this but i can say you do very well, more practice and more shots and you will see an improvement. Good luck

[Rjohnston]

They are nice, but i don't know why i feel it is either not in focus very well in spite of the high shutter speed, or sharpness is not enough.
I saw many swimming shots much better than this but i can say you do very well, more practice and more shots and you will see an improvement. Good luck

Thanks for the comments.

[johnstoy]

Very exciting photos of aquatic action...the thin coating of water on the face surface, could very well be throwing the focus off a fraction of an inch...They do look pretty good to me...The framing and close ups of your subjects merits applause...I much prefer the, in your face, close up, whenever possible...while still exemplifying the activity the subject participates in...

[Rjohnston]

Very exciting photos of aquatic action...the thin coating of water on the face surface, could very well be throwing the focus off a fraction of an inch...They do look pretty good to me...The framing and close ups of your subjects merits applause...I much prefer the, in your face, close up, whenever possible...while still exemplifying the activity the subject participates in...

Thanks johnstoy, didn't know it would be that hard to shoot. Shot over 275 to get the editor about 18 pics to choose from...

[troutbreath]

Nice shots. What were your settings/lens, etc?

[superdiver]

Hey, as a swimming dad I can tell you these are pretty good. Its a hard sport to shoot, especially in the great white north where everything happens indoors.

My best lens for shooting swimming is the 70-200 and the 85 1.8...

I like the ones you posted. The thin water layers give the pictures the look of being OOF, but thats the way the sport goes...

[WebMonkey]

No easy task getting solid indoor images of swimming. Tip: 580 in high-speed sync, to go with that 1/640th. Just for fill, if you like flash. or even lower the shutter to 320th

I like #2 the most, tack sharp and lots of ice under his arm. IMO I would raise the levels to #1 & #3 then sharpen, #3 may be too soft.

#4 is a cool shot and looks like a DQ (Disqualification) to me; if he was swimming Brest or fly; you need a two-hand touch. I’ve gotten images like this, and then see the swimmer arguing with the official about the call.:D

Steve

[Todd08]

I can also say as a swim dad those shots are pretty nice. Like you said you have to take alot to get a few good ones.

[Rjohnston]

Nice shots. What were your settings/lens, etc?

Lens used was my Sig 70-200 2.8, only one I have at the moment :(, but a great lens. Shot in manual 2.8, 1/640 most of the time with 1/500 on others.


Hey, as a swimming dad I can tell you these are pretty good. Its a hard sport to shoot, especially in the great white north where everything happens indoors.

My best lens for shooting swimming is the 70-200 and the 85 1.8...

I like the ones you posted. The thin water layers give the pictures the look of being OOF, but thats the way the sport goes...

Thanks for the comments, I hope I get to try it again. This was a great learning experience..

No easy task getting solid indoor images of swimming. Tip: 580 in high-speed sync, to go with that 1/640th. Just for fill, if you like flash.

I like #2 the most, tack sharp and lots of ice under his arm. IMO I would raise the levels to #1 & #3 then sharpen, #3 may be too soft.

#4 is a cool shot and looks like a DQ (Disqualification) to me; if he was swimming Brest or fly; you need a two-hand touch. I’ve gotten images like this, and then see the swimmer arguing with the official about the call.:D

Steve

Thanks Steve. I think #4 was fly. But it was legal. This was 3 frames before:) .

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0026.jpg

[WebMonkey]

Right on! Nice catch. Lost of ice but his face is still tack. Can you share more

Steve

[Rjohnston]

I can also say as a swim dad those shots are pretty nice. Like you said you have to take alot to get a few good ones.

Thanks Todd, I hope I get to shoot some more.

[Rjohnston]

Right on! Nice catch. Can you share more

Steve

I'll put a couple more up later

[Croasdail]

Take this for what it is worth, which ain't much, but if this were for paper coverage I think you kinda shot too tight. Unless it was a feature on a specific player, these don't show the viewer the flavour of the event. I know the montra around here is shoot tight, but sometimes you need to show the context in which the subject is performing. In of themselves, these shots are fine. It is a dang tough sport to get really stand out shots unless you get special access.. and I mean real special access. So by themselves, this are nice images. But for coverage purposes, I would do some wider shots showing the compitition as well. Well done - cheers!

[Rjohnston]

Take this for what it is worth, which ain't much, but if this were for paper coverage I think you kinda shot too tight. Unless it was a feature on a specific player, these don't show the viewer the flavour of the event. I know the montra around here is shoot tight, but sometimes you need to show the context in which the subject is performing. In of themselves, these shots are fine. It is a dang tough sport to get really stand out shots unless you get special access.. and I mean real special access. So by themselves, this are nice images. But for coverage purposes, I would do some wider shots showing the compitition as well. Well done - cheers!

Thanks Mark. I also gave him some wider shots, these were just some of my favorites :) .

[Rjohnston]

Ok, 2 more.

5
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0028.jpg

6
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/DPP_0029.jpg

[WebMonkey]

Richard

I really like #6, #5 is too wide for me.

I love shooting Aquatics:)

[Rjohnston]

#8, last one. I heard from the editor last night, and they have narrowed it down to #1 or this one, for the front page. Overall he was very happy with all the pics I sent and there should be more work very soon. Well thanks again to everyone for the comments and suggestions.

8
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/rcjohnston/Swim/IMG_0183.jpg

[Mike Reynolds]

you did just fine

[chuckvanhalen]

You got some great shots there. First timer? Way to dive in...

[Rjohnston]

you did just fine

Thanks Mike, it was tough but fun.

You got some great shots there. First timer? Way to dive in...

Thank you Chuck, my first paying job for a newspaper.

[davidfig]

rj, I think these are pretty good. Let me assume that this is indoors. Which means that you had reduced lighting conditions. I just shot volleyball for the first time. My 70-200 was at 2.8 most of the time with an ISO of 1600. Next time I will bring the 50 1.8 and get closer.

But there is one advantage to indoor lighting like you had. Even light. Looks beautiful.

[justisnmnz]

some excellent shots. Swim meets are probably some of the most enjoyable sports to shoot.

[Rjohnston]

rj, I think these are pretty good. Let me assume that this is indoors. Which means that you had reduced lighting conditions. I just shot volleyball for the first time. My 70-200 was at 2.8 most of the time with an ISO of 1600. Next time I will bring the 50 1.8 and get closer.

But there is one advantage to indoor lighting like you had. Even light. Looks beautiful.

some excellent shots. Swim meets are probably some of the most enjoyable sports to shoot.


Thanks guys, hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

[WebMonkey]

After seeing the last image, imho I would pick #8
The Faceshall expression on this shot gets it for me. I love grate shots like that where the image is perfect but the swimmer hates the way they look, especially girls.

[jssealion]

I also shoot with the 20d and a 70-200 f2.8. Tell me how you were able to get the quality. How was you camera set up. I have experimented with the different modes and can't seem to find one that I like or the quality I like. I am not close to the water and this is an issue but can't control. Thanks for your time and advice.