1st time swim meet photo shoot

[sonny_c]

This was my first time shooting an indoor swim meet. The lighting was horrible.:down: and my white balance was inconsistent during burst mode. The coaches asked me not to use flash while the swimmers were diving at the beginning of each race so I kept my puny 420ex in my bag.

I am not familiar with the sport of swimming therefore I did not know the best shooting angles. It seemed like the only two good places to shoot were from the side of the pool to capture their faces while the swimmers swam the freestyle and backstroke, or directly opposite of the starting blocks ( <---- not sure what they are called) to capture the swimmers swimming the breaststroke and butterfly. There was a wire hanging across the pool holding green and gold flags. This prevented me from getting any good diving action. Instead I had to shoot the swimmers from the side of the pool and at times the 70-200 was a tad too long. I'm thinking the 50mm f/1.8 would of been great. The 85mm f/1.8 would of been another great lens to use giving me 2 more stops to freeze the action. These are on my list to purchase very very soon!

I shot with my Canon 1D Mark II N and my 70-200L f/2.8 IS. My setting were:

Manual
ISO 1250 or 1600
f/2.8
shutter speeds of 1/160 - 1/250
Auto WB
AI Servo
RAW images
I also felt very uncomfortable shooting the young high school ladies in their bathing suits. It only takes that one parent that thinks the photos are in bad taste and my reputation could be damaged. I've been shooting young athletes for three years and only have one complaint from a parent of a cheerleader. What are my rights in regards to posting these photos? I want to use these photos and future swimming photos as part of my printed portfolio and my online photo gallery. At this swim meet there were three high schools competing. There may have been two dozen parents total in attendance. Trying to get any model release forms signed would be next to impossible.

I apologize in advance for posting so many, but I want you guys to get an idea of all my shots. All photos posted are uncropped and a little post processing (WB & exposure correction, noiseware and some sharpening). I am looking for some HONEST critiques please! Any constructive info you can provide I really would appreciate. And don't worry...I ain't sensitive and you can't hurt my feelings...so no need to tip toe around me.

Thanks for looking,
-Sonny



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[Croasdail]

These look swell for your first time out. I remember the first time I went my camera fogged up so much it was unusable for about a half hour. I learned really quick to get there early enough to let the stuff acclimate. On the portfolio stuff.... printed, since I strictly control who sees that, I wouldn't have an issue with an under 18 subject in there without parental consent. Online though is a whole other story. I don't shoot swimming that much, but I do a relatively good amount of gymnastics, which again raises the same issues. I do my best to not ever show anything that might be viewed in the wrong light. But at the end of the day it really comes down to that this is their daughter that they allowed to compete in a public forum, in a costume they approved, doing things they approved. Don't blame me for photographing what you approved. If you don't like it, don't have your daughter (or son) do it. At the same time, it makes me ill that there are those out there that would take advantage of situations to get access to our youth that give parents reason to have concern. There are enough creeps out there that I too keep an eye out for those that look like the have other intentions. It's a sad thing in that it has put most photographers under the spot light.

[SYS]

These photos look pretty good for first time trying... If you want to get some ideas for shooting swimming, go visit some of the Getty images for swim shots and "borrow" the inspiration....

Two ro three of these photos do appear a bit "plasticky" though, so perhaps try a bit less noise reduction? I like the last one the best.

[sonny_c]

These photos look pretty good for first time trying... If you want to get some ideas for shooting swimming, go visit some of the Getty images for swim shots and "borrow" the inspiration....

Two ro three of these photos do appear a bit "plasticky" though, so perhaps try a bit less noise reduction? I like the last one the best.

I am using Noiseware on it's lowest setting. I noticed the plastic look too but I attribute that to the water flowing over their faces.

[sonny_c]

But at the end of the day it really comes down to that this is their daughter that they allowed to compete in a public forum, in a costume they approved, doing things they approved. Don't blame me for photographing what you approved. If you don't like it, don't have your daughter (or son) do it. At the same time, it makes me ill that there are those out there that would take advantage of situations to get access to our youth that give parents reason to have concern. There are enough creeps out there that I too keep an eye out for those that look like the have other intentions. It's a sad thing in that it has put most photographers under the spot light.

Very well said and I totally agree with you!

[DSM83]

Excuse my ignorance but how do you shoot such a high ISO without massive amounts of grain? I always thought it was better to shoot lower. Awesome shots.