MIdget Wrestiling C+C welcome!

[drandtus]

Here are some of my recent attempts at wrestling. I've only been shooting with an SLR since November, so I've been living in M mode and learning alot on these forums. C+C is most welcome. Image #1 and #3 are with my recently purchased 85 f/1.8. #2 is with the 50 f/1.8. Thanks ahead of time!

1.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/Jake1.jpg
2.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/alexbiglerville5-1.jpg
3.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/IMG_4943.jpg

[superdiver]

Very nice shots!

[drandtus]

Thanks superdiver. Here are 2 more. Anybody have suggestions?
1.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/nickmort1.jpg
2.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/midgethero3.jpg

[SoccerRef]

Nice Shots!

Since you ask for suggestions, here's one. Get lower.

You are obviously already sitting matside, try laying matside. 24" may not sound like much but you'll be amazed at the difference that 24" makes.

This photo is one taken while sitting:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=150674&stc=1&d=1172523870

This one was taken laying my elbows on the mat:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=150673&stc=1&d=1172523870

The difference in perspective isn't much, but it is definitely noticable, especially with the little wrestlers.

A man who has shot thousands more wrestling matches than I told me that the easiest "trick" to master to get great wrestling photos, is to always have the camera at the same level as the lowest head or lower.

The second best "trick" although not as easy, it to make sure you can always see at least one face.

[drandtus]

Thanks, SoccerRef. Your suggestions are exactly what I needed, thanks again. I will apply them this weekend.

:( I can't see your pics.

[SoccerRef]

Thanks, SoccerRef. Your suggestions are exactly what I needed, thanks again. I will apply them this weekend.

:( I can't see your pics.

I'm sorry you can't see the pics. I tried "attaching" them (something new to me). Are you logged on to the forum? I know sometimes I get on the forum at the Library and if I forget to log on some things are not visible. At home and work, I am always "signed on". Here are links to the photos I posted:

The first - Sitting - http://paulperger.exposuremanager.com/p/10_am_to_11_am/img_165946

The second - Laying (well sitting, but leaning so far forward that my camera is about 6 inches off the mat) - http://paulperger.exposuremanager.com/p/10_am_to_11_am/img_1659614#photo_s

In the second photo, the camera is about level with the bottom wrestler's left eye. By the way, you don't ever want to truly "lay" on the mat, sometimes you need to get out of the way QUICK!!

I have actually looked for an adjustable eyepiece for my RebelXT that would allow me to look down into the eyepiece while holding the camera at ground level. Haven't found one yet. Good Luck and post more pics...

[Mbrescio]

SoccerRef is correct the best tip is to get at their level, not just wrestling but at any sport. It is better to shoot looking up at the subject then down on them. The second best tip I was given, was to shoot all the kids during warmups. This way you will know that you got the whole team.

[drandtus]

Thanks for the tips guys. I like the idea of getting the kids during warmups, too. I felt guilty when I gave some of the parents photos and didn't have some for the others. I've just about got everyone now. Here is one more while I'm on here.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/drandtus/huntersloatqualifiers1.jpg

[SoccerRef]

I felt guilty when I gave some of the parents photos and didn't have some for the others. I've just about got everyone now. Here is one more while I'm on here.


Don't feel guilty, that's just the way it goes sometimes. One tip, though... Don't pass out photos during the season, wait until the end of the season, give everyone a CD and maybe one print. Surely over the course of the season you can get at least one printable shot of each wrestler.

I am preparing the End of Season slideshow for the upcoming End Of Season Banquet and I have the same problem. I have hundreds of photos of about 3/4 of the team. There are three wrestlers however whose photo opportunities were just not there. Two because they lost early and often, and the third because he won early and often.

When 3/4 of the team is spending an average of 5.5 minutes on the mat, and then there are a few who average less than 30 seconds, gee, who are you going to get more photos of? (Compounding the problem is the fact that usually those who wrestle quick matches, don't squirm around on the mat a lot, they quickly get their oponent to a pin and don't move 'till the the ref hits the mat, or they are quickly pinned and are held there 'till the ref hits the mat.) The best photo opps come from those who wrestle all over the mat, turning and being turned, those are usually hard to watch matches from a fan's perspective, but for the photographer, those are the BEST matches!

The kid who has won 95% of his matches pins in the first round 75% of the time. Two of his three losses were just as quick. There just weren't as many photo ops, that's just the way it goes. So I have to choose from what I have, and I can put his photos on a CD while everyone else is going to fill a DVD. The only other option is to tell the kid not to win so quickly!

[drandtus]

LOL I do understand about the fast pins. It makes very difficult.

What software/hardware are you using for your slideshow? Sounds like an excellent idea.

[superdiver]

I felt guilty when I gave some of the parents photos and didn't have some for the others. I've just about got everyone now. Here is one more while I'm on here.


I know how you feel. What I did is set up a smugmug site and take pictures of as many kids as possible. Hoping to get one or two good ones of each kid.

Now I dont give any of them away. The parents can go to my site and view them, steel them or pay for them...what every they can live with I can live with...

[drandtus]

Now I dont give any of them away. The parents can go to my site and view them, steel them or pay for them...what every they can live with I can live with...[/quote]

I'm not remotely close to charging for photos. Gosh, if you think my photos are OK I'm just stoked :). I have not been into photography for very long. I am so enjoying the process of learning. I was at wrestling practice tonight and brought my camera! However, I did hit up the football club president to make sure I could be on the sidelines for this season. I'll be shooting some tournament paintball soon, as my son plays. I figure that'll give me some good experience for outdoor sports. Here comes a 70-200 f/2.8, huh? (giggle) Hey, thanks everybody for your help. I love POTN. I really have learned so much from hanging out here. I'm trying to make projects for myself so I have to focus on something other than my son ( read: sports), because I love that dang camera so much. Guess I'm preachin' to the choir, though :)

[superdiver]

Thats ALSO what I thought...heres the thing though...think about it. How many parents take pictures as good as yours? Think about all the parents out there with their little P&S's trying to get a decent picture of johnny and all they get are dark blurry pictures...

Yours are at least passable (and probably better, you are just too hard on yourself judging all the stuff on here against yours, been there, done that) and you KNOW yours are MUCH better then most of thiers. If they dont like the pictures on your site then they dont buy them. You have NO obligation to get a good one of THEIR kid, but if you do you might as well make a couple of bucks on it.

So far in the last 6 months i have made an extra 1K (and I charge alot less then most anyone else I have seen doing this). Not bad, not going to feed my family with it, but it will buy me some cool camera equipment and a couple of "adult beverages". Its my play money....

[SoccerRef]

I'm with you SuperDiver... I'll hit $500 next week, and I started 8 weeks ago!

Can someone say 70-200 2.8!? (and maybe someday Mark III)!!!

[Mbrescio]

I too put together a slide show for the end of year Banquet, just one more way of people seeing your work. I use photoshop preimere. Remember, these kids will growup and go to high school and play on school teams. Get to know the booster clubs. Highlight DVDs and senior sportraits are great senior gifts. Also, when shooting events don't forget the coaches/ sidelins stands.

[drandtus]

Wow, you guys got my brain gears grindin'. Smugmug, huh? I'll be looking into it. I know both the football and wrestling clubs well. Hmm. Thanks everybody.