First Attempt at Cheer photos

[lggal]

I just got the Rebel XTi for Christmas, and this is my first digital SLR. My daughter has cheer competitions coming up, so I sat in practice today and played around with all the settings and shot these all in manual - my 1st time shooting all manual. I used the 85mm 1.8 lens (rental, as I only have the kit lens and nifty 50 right now). I didn't think they came out too bad for my first try.

http://watchmymovie.net/IMG_4904.JPG
http://watchmymovie.net/IMG_4926.JPG
http://watchmymovie.net/IMG_4948-1.jpg
http://watchmymovie.net/IMG_4988.jpg
http://watchmymovie.net/IMG_5024.jpg
http://watchmymovie.net/2.jpg

[dcmoon]

Not bad at all for your first time!
My daughter has had comps every weekend this month and the hardest part is finding a spot where people don't get in front of you during her 2 minutes on.
Check out mine from this afternoon shot with my 350D and 70-200 f/2.8.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crescentpics/

[lggal]

Those are great pictures!! I might try renting that lens....

Hey....I see you are Western NY....are you going to the competition in Utica next month??

[fslshooter]

First of all, welcome to POTN and the Sports section. Second, thanks for embedding EXIF because that helps us help you. Third, congrats on shooting in manual exposure mode and at ISO 1600 first time out - not many folks do that! Finally, I agree with you -- these are good considering they're your first try. But I think you can do even better if you open the 85 up a bit more. You can use faster shutter speeds with more aperture and that will help stop motion blur plus yield better exposure. Just remember that depth of field will be more narrow as you open up so you'll have to nail the focus -- speaking of which, use single center point focus and when your daughter is in group shots focus on her. Also, if you didn't do so, you might want to shoot RAW so that you can adjust white balance during post processing. The last shot is your best -- perfect timing!

[lggal]

Thanks for the advice. I will try out your suggestions next time!!

How do you view the EXIF?? Bear with me.....I am new! :oops:

[fslshooter]

How do you view the EXIF?? Bear with me.....I am new! :oops:

A lot of folks here use Opanda -- it's freeware and you can download it HERE (http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/index.html)

[DarrenL]

Welcome to the boards,

The EXIF data is displayed in the file it's self. If you right click on the image and go to Properties and then summarry (assuming XP) it's all in there. It shows the settings you used, the camera, lens F stop, ISO, metering mode etc. it's vital in assisting people.

When you do a Save for Web in Photoshop or Elements it removes all the EXIF data which is a pain. A lot of people do this.

I use an add-in called Opanda. it's great and provides EXIF data at a right click.

Darren

[dcmoon]

I don't believe we are going to Utica, we are further West in Rochester but you never know, sometimes they tell us of a competition a week in advance.
Good luck taking pics at the comp, people on this board are amazing and will tell you everything you need to know to get better............

By the way, what age group are you shooting? There seems to be quite a difference in size?

[lggal]

They are 8-14 - it's a junior all star squad - this is their first year. Many have been pop warner cheerleaders, but this is my daughters first year - she has a dance background, so she's not a flyer or anything. Next year they plan to break the squad out into youth and junior.

I'm in the Lake George area, and we are traveling to Utica, NJ, and Mass (and a local one in Albany).

[DaveL]

pretty good for the first time.. I shot a tournament with
a 85 1.8 and although I got some nice shots, the thin depth
of field, and managing the ISO/shutterspeed was quite
a challenge... I'm sure the parents of 3 and 6 would love
those shots...

the one in mass, is that at the basketball hall of fame
by any chance?

[lggal]

The Mass comp is @ Six Flags.

Is there any other affordable option, other than the 85mm 1.8??

[DaveL]

The Mass comp is @ Six Flags.

Is there any other affordable option, other than the 85mm 1.8??


don't get me wrong, I love mine, I was just saying it was tricky
to use first time out... The 85 1.8 is one of the best values out
there... although I'm sure others could chime in as to alternatives...

They sometimes have competitions at center court at the
BB HOF in Springfield, MA ... that was very cool, particularly
for the dads with short attention spans!!

[ijohnson]

I like the last picture because of the hands. It is an effective shot. You might want to play around with contrast in the shot to give it a bit more kick.

[wannasmaxx]

I'm unworthy
http://photos-492.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v51/96/74/33025180/n33025180_31469492_9824.jpg