Request Swimming Sportrait Advice (and 8 images for C&C)

[prplegophr]

Hi everyone,

I shot a few sportraits of swimmers last week. I'm more or less happy with the images for the most part, but feel like there's a strong over-processed, un-natural look to the pictures. The light just wasn't doing what I wanted either. I didn't do much PP and I wonder if the horrendous lighting situation is to blame. Shooting under flourescents, I was getting around 1/500 at ISO 1250 at f/1.8. I didn't use strobes, flash, or reflectors either, so that might've helped.

Anyways, my question is, any suggestions on how to make these images a little cleaner/ better lit next time? I realize I'm pretty much stuck at high ISO's using ambient light, but I'm a little afraid to use strobes in the pool's mixed lighting situation and am not sure a flash on slow-synchro would work considering the amount of motion (And the mixed light)...

Any input, as well as C&C, would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Herb

#1 Not too badly lit I think, but the blue water foreground and green water background is a little disconcerting...
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/86.jpg


#2 Example of that over-processed look
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/90.jpg


#3 It got a little easier shooting with the flourescents behind me...
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/89.jpg


#4 Same as above
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/87.jpg

#5 Best example of really bad lighting. Should I have exposed for the shadows in the face instead?
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/02.jpg

#6 Bad shadowing in the face...
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/88.jpg

#7
http://www.minutesixteen.com/potn/91.jpg

#8 Ok, decided not to post this one.

[the_incubus]

really like number 3. I really like fluorescent lighting.

[WebMonkey]

I feel your images are very good. 5, 6, and 3 I really like. Did you already correct for the lights (WB) I took a look on your site and love the image of the happy face freestyler.:D

I would try a strobe for fill, and if it has high speed sync would be even better.
Your Gear used?

[marco.togni]

I like all this photos. All of them are very good congratulations.

[Tee Why]

I like the low angle portraits at the end.

[prplegophr]

Thanks for the comments.

Web monkey: I don't think I completely fine tuned WB on some of these pics. I will have to try using a strobe next time but am unsure how to balance them (daylight bulbs) against the mixed lighting of the pool. Gear used was a Mark IIn with either a 70-200 2.8 or 85 1.8.

Thanks again,
Herb

[WebMonkey]

I would work for good skin tone only let the rest of the colors fall where they will, for ambient light you could try a custom WB for that pool. Get yourself an 18% gray card and shoot and save as custom WB in the pool area, but still correct for skin tone. At the Belmont a pool in Long Beach California the lighting sucks with large window allowing some sun light and both fluorescents and tungsten it make for a real challenge getting good skin tone, I shoot both a custom WB and auto WB then work the images in LightRoom or PS for the best skin tone. Remember fluorescent lighting is cycling so IMO shoot manual. Flash I shoot auto WB about 1/3 to 2/3 under.:)

[superdiver]

Dude, you undrate yourself. As a fellow INDOOR swimming shooter, I FEEL YOUR PAIN....

You did very good (with the exception of #2...I have TONS of shots like this....LOL)

I really like the shots where you are in the pool with them!