HS Boys Basketball (Strobed)

[Merciez]

Shot a different HS tonight and was quite lucky in that the game was very high scoring with a lot of action. Comments and critcism always appreciated.

1.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244865116-O.jpg

2.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244865039-O.jpg

3.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244865066-O.jpg

4.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244865001-O.jpg

5,
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244865149-O.jpg

6.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/244864979-O.jpg

[timbernet]

Excellent focus and timing. Color is great and lighting is perfect.

May I ask what your letting configuration was?

[MJPhotos24]

which strobes and power were you using (full, 3rd, etc?) Looks good on my comp, background is lit up as well making it a bit natural of a look.

[Merciez]

Lighting was accomplished using two AB800's with 11" reflectors set at full power. The strobes were mounted to the side of the stands about 5 rows down from the top.

Used a 70-200 lens which I am slowly getting comfortable with. I had shot only primes in the past (without strobes) to allow for ambient light shooting. If you have strobes, it looks like the 70-200 is the ideal lens.

[crazyskillz07]

Great pictures... Do you think that two AB-800's would also work well for wrestling?

[Merciez]

Great pictures... Do you think that two AB-800's would also work well for wrestling?

They should work great for wrestling, just mount the AB-800's at your back (keeping yourself bewteen the mat and the strobes).

[crazyskillz07]

They should work great for wrestling, just mount the AB-800's at your back (keeping yourself bewteen the mat and the strobes).
Thanks. I was looking into it and someone recommended the the AB1600's but I was not sure if that would be more power then I would need. Would you ever bounce the AB's off an umbrella for basketball or wrestling?

[Merciez]

Thanks. I was looking into it and someone recommended the the AB1600's but I was not sure if that would be more power then I would need. Would you ever bounce the AB's off an umbrella for basketball or wrestling?

Two AB800's should be enough power. One of the gyms I shoot is pretty large, if I use the 11" reflectors I am able to shoot iso 800 and f3.4. If you go with the AB1600's you will have more power but the flash duration is slower (1/600 sec at full power compared to the 1/1100 for the AB800). If you maintianed the AB1600's at full power you should be fine for wrestling but still might see some minor motion blur in the hands and feet for basketball.:

[QUASIPHOTO]

Beautiful images........very well done.

[AB8ND]

Well done, love the AB's.
Number 4 - bet the player had a bit of trouble running after he landed. Sloppy pants are one thing, but while playing sports.

Jack

[Zivnuska]

Wow! Super images. Great job.

[jsanz11]

UI love the way photos come out when strobed...I hope more and more people get used to this idea and let more photographers do it...locally they don't allow us to use any flash or light of any kind to do photography...would you say the flash is noticed by the crowd or players or coaches?
=-Joey

[jsanz11]

Oh and you should take a picture of the setup next time to show the people...I would like to see how you ahd the reflector and lamp setup on the bleachers to where it wasn't bothering anyone or being bothered by people
-Joey

[Sauk]

UI love the way photos come out when strobed...I hope more and more people get used to this idea and let more photographers do it...locally they don't allow us to use any flash or light of any kind to do photography...would you say the flash is noticed by the crowd or players or coaches?
=-Joey


You will notice the parents and kids with their cell phone flashes more then these strobe shots that are happening in 1/3300 of a second lol, at least I do.

Plus these are being bounced and has NO effect on the players

[Sauk]

Great great shots. Love them all. The light is wonderful! Nice job. Looked like a nice white building and low ceiling, I love those!

[Red Wings]

Wow, these are great captures. I love that the floor finish isn't super gloss!

[Merciez]

Oh and you should take a picture of the setup next time to show the people...I would like to see how you ahd the reflector and lamp setup on the bleachers to where it wasn't bothering anyone or being bothered by people
-Joey

Here you go Joey,

This is the gym I normally shoot, not the same gym as last night but the same setup.

1. This strobe should not bother anyone in these stands :D
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/245032186-L.jpg

2. Here is the stobe mounted in the stands with spectators.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/245032165-L.jpg

3. Strobe being fired.
http://757sportspics.smugmug.com/photos/245032226-L.jpg

[Merciez]

Great great shots. Love them all. The light is wonderful! Nice job. Looked like a nice white building and low ceiling, I love those!

Thanks Matt,

The ceiling was low and white. :D

[Sauk]

gosh those are the best! You always get great results with those lol

Nice job

[MJPhotos24]

Great pictures... Do you think that two AB-800's would also work well for wrestling?

The answer is yes...this was shot with one strobe (1600 AB) as I didn't have the cords to connect the pocket wizards to the strobes so had to directly connect to the strobe. Strobe was directly behind me 10-13" feet high bounced off the ceiling, which was nice to be shooting in three different gyms in one day and all were freshly painted white! B-ball two strobes seem to even everything out, wrestling with everything centralized already you can get away with one.

http://www.knockoverrecords.com/ATTWRS.006.JPG


UI love the way photos come out when strobed...I hope more and more people get used to this idea and let more photographers do it...locally they don't allow us to use any flash or light of any kind to do photography...would you say the flash is noticed by the crowd or players or coaches?

=-Joey

With coaches like that, strict jerks (oh wait, I am one! ha) the best way is to have a setup you know won't be distracting and prove it. Used right strobes are hardly noticable, I think I got more looks setting them up on the 13" stand than when they fired. You do notice them if you're looking for them but they're not distracting, especially for the players who are moving at fast action. If you know what you're doing I would suggest asking the coach to put them in during a practice, maybe they''ll let you - maybe they won't.

First thing I asked my team in v-ball after the game was if they noticed the newspaper photog - the answer was no, because he knows what he's doing. However, in b-ball our old photog had no clue how to set up lights and had direct flashes going into there eyes all game long - so every timeout was complaints about the flashes, obviously a guy that has no clue. So it really matters if you know what you're doing.

[timbernet]

Wow - I am surprised that even though they were bounced they worked that well.

I shot my first strobed basketball game last night with the strobes at the top of the stands pointing towards the court. I talked to the sports information director, the coach, and some of the team members I know and none of them noticed the flash.

I might try bouncing next game... or maybe I will have to get some Alien Bees :-D

[Packhorse-4]

Excellent shots – the lighting makes a huge difference in the final image. Great setup fantastic shots, thanks for sharing.

[jik22]

Great shots Merciez
How quickly will those AB800s recycle between shots? Are the two strobes set up on the same or opposite sides of the court?

[Merciez]

Great shots Merciez
How quickly will those AB800s recycle between shots? Are the two strobes set up on the same or opposite sides of the court?

Thanks,

The AB800s take about one second to recycle. The strobes are set on opposite sides of the court.

[Zivnuska]

Thanks,

The AB800s take about one second to recycle. The strobes are set on opposite sides of the court.

By opposite sides, I'm assuming you mean opposite sides of the same baseline. For example, east and west of the north basket. This example would have no strobes on the south side of the court.

Do you ever try to illuminate the whole court (both baskets) by strobing from opposite corners? I.E. Northeast and southwest corner?

[Merciez]

By opposite sides, I'm assuming you mean opposite sides of the same baseline. For example, east and west of the north basket. This example would have no strobes on the south side of the court.
That is correct Dr. Phil


Do you ever try to illuminate the whole court (both baskets) by strobing from opposite corners? I.E. Northeast and southwest corner?
I have not tried this but I don't believe there will be enough light in attempting this. I have thought of using four strobes (one in each corner) but you run the problem of shooting into a stobe and having it blowout the image. I try to keep the strobes behind me as much as possible.

[dmwierz]

Phil,

I've tried to shoot hockey full length with two AB800's, one in each offensive zone on the same side of the ice, and I really didn't like the results. Here's one shot I got with this essentially single light set-up (single light per end):

http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/image/90145200.jpg

FWIW, here is an alternative to wrestling lighting with AB800's - one light behind me, and one behind the wrestlers - done because I only had electricity on one side of me, and I had to turn the power down on the back light, using it almost like a hair light, but I liked the results nonetheless. Both lights bounced. It's interesting to compare this shot to Mike's above. I like his more, and in this instance, it's better to be a little higher, as it cleaned up the backgrounds. Normally I like getting low, but here, getting a little higher would have been better for me.

http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/image/90318628.jpg

[Merciez]

Phil,


FWIW, here is an alternative to wrestling lighting with AB800's - one light behind me, and one behind the wrestlers - done because I only had electricity on one side of me, and I had to turn the power down on the back light, using it almost like a hair light, but I liked the results nonetheless.

http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/image/90318628.jpg

That image is awesome Dennis! Because of lack of the outlets at some of our local schools, I ordered a couple of Vagabond II's to elimnate my dependence on school electricity. I had a recent game where a parent unplugged my extension cord to power his camcorder.

[dmwierz]

Matt,

Having had something similar happen several times, including once having a cheerleader unplug my strobe to plug in her cell phone (!) I always bring a 3 to 1 heavy duty tap to plug into the outlet for each light.

Dennis

[MJPhotos24]

Unplugged the strobes...might have to take her over my knee! Set an example.

I worried about that at the wrestling tournament but since I was plugged into the body/strobe was guarding it. When I moved the strobe and then came back someone plugged in a video camera so I had to find an alternate plug. I was thinking about that the other day, to make up signs to not unplug. But you know someone would be "like OMG, my BFF might text, I need to charge, uh, this dumb lights not even on" and my plugs on the floor as I try to figure out why it's not firing.

Dennis - what strobes did you use for the hockey shot? In one of my gyms you can only put strobes on one side as there's no room on the opposite side of the court. I was toing to test it at my practice sometime soon to see how it works with only two strobes at the offensive ends.

[Sauk]

talk about people messing with your strobes, this previous game i was shooting and had a light close to the stands. Well these kids decided to losen my light clamp and move the light almost facing straight down at the action. I shoot and notice a flash right at the side of my head. I was like ok what was that lol checked the image and it was blown out, I look up and these kids have this look on their face and my light is moved of course.

Cops were standing right there and were asking me if they wanted them to do something I said no I got it, so I went up there and told them in a very stern face and voice, DO NOT TOUCH that light. The kids said sorry man lol I said again, Don't ever touch that light again. lol

I was pretty pissed. 2nd week in a row where kids were messing with my lights. WTF is wrong with these kids? You see it strobing it should register in your head, maybe I shouldn't touch an expensive piece of equipment.

[dmwierz]

Kids WILL mess with the lights. I have these signs on my rigs, and they still mess with them. I have a 15 year old boy, and I realize this is part of the deal.

Mike, I only have AB800's, so the single-side hockey shot is a single AB800 full power bounced into a REAL messy ceiling made of that silvery insulation stuff with all kinds of beams and ducting. Note - can anyone find the puck?

[Sauk]

if this is not ok dennis let me know, but thought I would find the dang thing for once lol

[dmwierz]

Bingo!

[Sauk]

it took me around 5 minutes of looking lol I finally saved it to my desktop and had to zoom 300% to see it!

[MJPhotos24]

In the high school I coach b-ball at fans are nowhere near the strobes if I set up on one side of the court only . On the other side the last guy who put up direct flash instead of strobes noone messed with them (which was strange because the school is known for little jerks, ha). At my local school you can only set up on one side and on the balcony - some games that area is locked off so its safe, but other games I worry - luckily it's right by the chaperones so noone touches.

[Zivnuska]

Thanks for the info Matt and Dennis.

Phil Zivnuska ( The Dr. Phil not in trouble for counseling Britney Spears) ;)

[Croasdail]

Nice smooth lighting.... not artificial at all looking. well done.

[namasste]

Matt, those do look fantastic! Very very nice!

As for kids messing with your strobes, I found the solution this weekend. I noticed a couple of kids getting "curious" so I kept my eye on them as much as aI could, well, sure enough, I see one looking all around and getting right up to my lights (flash guns, not strobes) so I waited until he was right in front of it then snapped a shot. Kid almost fell out of the bleachers. The mocking he took from his friends should be enough to keep him from coming back. Shortly afterwards, I noticed him looking down towards me (once he could see again) and I just shook my head at him and he figured it out that it wasn't an accident that the flashed fired right then.

[blam]

wow, fantastic shots! great captures. the color is excellent!

[Bumgardnern]

Great shots man. I love the color and everything. How do you mount your strobes and where?

[dmwierz]

Matt, those do look fantastic! Very very nice!

As for kids messing with your strobes, I found the solution this weekend. I noticed a couple of kids getting "curious" so I kept my eye on them as much as aI could, well, sure enough, I see one looking all around and getting right up to my lights (flash guns, not strobes) so I waited until he was right in front of it then snapped a shot. Kid almost fell out of the bleachers. The mocking he took from his friends should be enough to keep him from coming back. Shortly afterwards, I noticed him looking down towards me (once he could see again) and I just shook my head at him and he figured it out that it wasn't an accident that the flashed fired right then.

Scott - Yes, that does work (I mean, I have heard that works, as I would never admit publicly to having done that) ;)

[namasste]

Scott - Yes, that does work (I mean, I have heard that works, as I would never admit publicly to having done that) ;)
lmao, of course not Dennis...:lol:

[Sauk]

Matt, those do look fantastic! Very very nice!

As for kids messing with your strobes, I found the solution this weekend. I noticed a couple of kids getting "curious" so I kept my eye on them as much as aI could, well, sure enough, I see one looking all around and getting right up to my lights (flash guns, not strobes) so I waited until he was right in front of it then snapped a shot. Kid almost fell out of the bleachers. The mocking he took from his friends should be enough to keep him from coming back. Shortly afterwards, I noticed him looking down towards me (once he could see again) and I just shook my head at him and he figured it out that it wasn't an accident that the flashed fired right then.

classic right there lol

[kidpower]

The majority of the strobe shots I see look artificial and un-natural. I'm not a "strober", but these are excellent shots. Very natural looking. Great work.

[asysin2leads]

Matt, those do look fantastic! Very very nice!

As for kids messing with your strobes, I found the solution this weekend. I noticed a couple of kids getting "curious" so I kept my eye on them as much as aI could, well, sure enough, I see one looking all around and getting right up to my lights (flash guns, not strobes) so I waited until he was right in front of it then snapped a shot. Kid almost fell out of the bleachers. The mocking he took from his friends should be enough to keep him from coming back. Shortly afterwards, I noticed him looking down towards me (once he could see again) and I just shook my head at him and he figured it out that it wasn't an accident that the flashed fired right then.

That's funny. I'll have to remember that. I was shooting my son's game the other day. I was sitting on the floor near the corner of the court. My 2 year old was sitting on my left (away from the court). I was shooting in portrait with my 580EX II aimed at the ceiling. Well, my son leaned over and hit the * button. I was looking directly at the flash when he did it. He got a huge kick out of it. I would've hate to be looking at the flash gun when you fired that off. DUH!

[montanafan]

These are beautifully lit. Very natural looking, excellent colors, no shadows, just right.

[jsanz11]

That's awsome but I didn't know that the Alien Bee picked up wirelessly. Does it?