First AHL game, first time shooting hockey..

[namasste]

Played this sport my whole life and never realized just how fast it is until I tried shooting it. Definitely a challenge in terms of metering and catching the action. Lake Erie Monsters vs Hershey Bears. Monsters take it in a sudden death shootout.

Settings were all over the place but generally, 1/1000s, f3.5 and ISO 1250 (each of these changed often as I played around). This was also my first time shooting the 1D and I am not sure if I metered poorly or if it underexposed a bit but I think it may have been a bit of both. Taking Dennis' suggestion and buying an incident meter for this..

1.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p685188573-5.jpg

2.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p1072624646-5.jpg

3.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p1002652116-5.jpg

4.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p601015151-5.jpg

5.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p908284888-5.jpg

6.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p632770621-5.jpg

7.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p967684459-5.jpg

8.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v3/p592109415-5.jpg

[MJPhotos24]

whats with all the empty seats? I shoot in roch and its packed, no fair. Were they through the cutout and what happened to strobes? I thought you had access or did that fall through? I have 3 AHL games this week then OHL and NHL game next week Scott, well you know if that NHL game falls through I might make a roadie to Cleveland ;)

[cstewart]

Wow! First time? Nice results. #3 is my fav. Certainly your playing of the game helped the timing of your shots. The 1D makes these look super! And 1000ISO! Wow...would love to shoot a game at this. Most of my minor hockey work has to be at 3200

[namasste]

whats with all the empty seats? I shoot in roch and its packed, no fair. Were they through the cutout and what happened to strobes? I thought you had access or did that fall through? I have 3 AHL games this week then OHL and NHL game next week Scott, well you know if that NHL game falls through I might make a roadie to Cleveland ;)

I know, they only had about 7K in attendance. I did shoot the cutouts but the strobes....arrgghhh! You won't believe this but no one was using them and they said it was fine if I wanted to but not a single person there (including the game ops guy) had any clue at all about how to get access, truthfully, they didn't even know they had strobes and said no one has ever asked/used them before. I will definitely do some legwork before the next game to get in touch with anyone who might be able to help. I'll keep you posted but obviously if I can get access, I'll try to get us both setup if you are going to be here.

[namasste]

Wow! First time? Nice results. #3 is my fav. Certainly your playing of the game helped the timing of your shots. The 1D makes these look super! And 1000ISO! Wow...would love to shoot a game at this. Most of my minor hockey work has to be at 3200

thanks a lot. I think I'd probably shoot f3.5, 1600, and 1/800 if I shot ambient there again. I found I had to push everything about that much in post.

[dlpasco]

Scott - all nice photos. How did the night go? Can't say that I've ever seen a hockey/wedding combo before ;)

Chris Bourque - what's he like to watch?

and a PS: Tim Tookey is the current coach of our nearest Junior team. I shot from his bench a couple of months ago. Great guy.

[namasste]

Scott - all nice photos. How did the night go? Can't say that I've ever seen a hockey/wedding combo before ;)

Chris Bourque - what's he like to watch?

and a PS: Tim Tookey is the current coach of our nearest Junior team. I shot from his bench a couple of months ago. Great guy.
thanks. Bourque seemed like he was everywhere. Certainly not a big guy out there but he's got such a head for the game and his positioning is remarkable. Wonder where he gets it?:lol:

So you guys get to see Tookey on the bench, huh? He had quite a career in both the NHL and AHL. Those are some lucky players if he coaches as well as he skated.

The night was insane! They had me hoppin the entire time from shooting the wedding folsk arriving/getting interviewed to a pregame promo shoot with one of the players. Between the 1st and 2nd there was a contest at center ice that needed coverage, more of the wedding parties getting ready, weddings between the 2nd and 3rd then of course, the game itself which ended in a sudden death shootout. Final tally was just under 900 images. What really made it a challenge was that I couldn't help but shoot with the 1D (I was just too excited to have it) but it was literally the first outing for it and needless to say, it wasn't quite intuitive yet. Having to change glass and settings constantly to jump from wedding mode to hockey mode was great baptism by fire for me so all in all, I think it was the right choice and I only grabbed the 30D once or twice.

[andrewhuxman]

Nice captures , see I told ya you dont need the strobes:D

[namasste]

Nice captures , see I told ya you dont need the strobes:D
yeah, you were right! they still would be nice but not necessary. Funny that it took me a while this year to get used to shooting one shot style using a strobist setup, now, it felt weird not doing it that way. Especially with 8.5fps. I need to switch that back to 5fps and then I think it might feel better.

thanks though, I had fun and heard back from them today saying they'd have credentials available for me whenever I needed so I'm looking forwrd to a few more games before the season is done.

[MJPhotos24]

I know, they only had about 7K in attendance. I did shoot the cutouts but the strobes....arrgghhh! You won't believe this but no one was using them and they said it was fine if I wanted to but not a single person there (including the game ops guy) had any clue at all about how to get access, truthfully, they didn't even know they had strobes and said no one has ever asked/used them before. I will definitely do some legwork before the next game to get in touch with anyone who might be able to help. I'll keep you posted but obviously if I can get access, I'll try to get us both setup if you are going to be here.

Strange, and since I have no clue how the stadium is set up it might be totally different than what I've seen before. One stadium the guy just had to go to the rafters and plug them in. Rochester she cant do that, which makes me wonder how she does it. You'd think she'd have to turn them on/off - hmmm. I'll ask her tomorrow!

It would be nice to use them, if Buffalo falls through and the weather is good I will definately come down, well unless the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader bus breaks down in front of my house on their winter tour.

[namasste]

well unless the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader bus breaks down in front of my house on their winter tour.

exactly or you win the lotto and people start taking your picture instead!

I'd love to host you here so you know it's an open invite. Still, for your sake, I have to hope the Sabres pan out, that would rock.

[Darsk47]

Well done - nice and crisp !
Darcy

[wesley_winterink]

WOW Scott!! These are so sharp and great captures of the action. My favorites are 3 and 4 but I love all of them. I didn't see you mention it anywhere but what lens/lenses did you use??

[namasste]

Well done - nice and crisp !
Darcy

thanks Darcy. I'm anxious to get back there when all I have to focus on is getting action (of the game, of course :lol:)

[namasste]

WOW Scott!! These are so sharp and great captures of the action. My favorites are 3 and 4 but I love all of them. I didn't see you mention it anywhere but what lens/lenses did you use??
thanks so much Wes, I'm pretty happy with them for being a complete newb to shooting hockey, it was tougher than I thought it would be. Anyway, those were all shot through a cutout using the 1DMkII and 70-200 f2.8 non IS. That lens can get a little tight down close but I can't imagine a better tool for that job unless you happen to prefer shooting primes.

[ajbalazic]

Fabulous shots. Being a player sure helps in having an instinct for the game. Compare your #7 to this one from Getty images: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/photo?slug=7aed2f662206ed5f580c6a6a13f1619b-getty-76074095bb017_washington_ca&prov=getty

Your exposure is about the same and your quality is even better. Nicely done!!!

[namasste]

Fabulous shots. Being a player sure helps in having an instinct for the game. Compare your #7 to this one from Getty images: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/photo?slug=7aed2f662206ed5f580c6a6a13f1619b-getty-76074095bb017_washington_ca&prov=getty

Your exposure is about the same and your quality is even better. Nicely done!!!

wow, I'm really at a loss but thanks a lot. I am definitely trying to get better and there is no doubt that the sports folks here have been immensely helpful in that. again, thanks very mcuh!

[900spg]

3rd and 4th shots are fantastic but all are nice. Excellent job for the first time. Playing the game really helps when it comes time to shoot in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing more.

[MJPhotos24]

exactly or you win the lotto and people start taking your picture instead!

I'd love to host you here so you know it's an open invite. Still, for your sake, I have to hope the Sabres pan out, that would rock.

I used to get my pic taken in college, and almost pimp slapped a photog who wouldn't get the camera outta my face! How many pics do you need of a guy sitting on a dugout step anyways?

I'm hoping they do to, tomorrows the first AHL of 3 in 5 days.

[serviceover]

First time shooting. . . . respect.......looks like you had good lighting (even without strobes) and clean glass to get a decent shutter speed and good DOF. . .

[superdiver]

These are VERYgood. The worst I can say is that a couple are a little underexposed... but I would be very proud of these if they were mine!

[namasste]

thanks much! I had to push them a little and didn't want to overdo it. I found that I either metered wrong (entirely possible with all that white although I did spot meter to a gray card) or the 1D was underexposing a tad. Maybe a little of both but probably more of the former. Can't wait to give it another try soon! Thanks again.

[superdiver]

You know, as I think about it. This monitor always looks dark with the pictures I PP on my home monitor...they may be dead on...

[namasste]

You know, as I think about it. This monitor always looks dark with the pictures I PP on my home monitor...they may be dead on...
I find that between monitors as well. When I'm feeling particularly OCD, I even think that I get better sharpness viewing in one viewer like DPP vs MS Picture Mgr. It's a sickness I tell ya.

[Crush]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! It may just be my eyes from not wearing my glasses, but maybe a bit too much noiseware. Anyone else agree? Other than that AWESOME!

Dave

[Shadiow]

#3 is a GREAT hockey shot. Absolutely fantastic.