Venues with low lighting (cheerleading)

[missalyce]

Question?

Have you ever used a 200mm f/2.8 L to shoot in the arena's? How did it go? Any shots you care to post while using this lens so I can see?

I normally use the 70 200 f/4 but I want to try something lighter this time around, we will be at the Wide World of Sports and if I do recall it's pretty dark there but they let the parents up real close in the front of the mat.

[bwolford]

The last time I shot at the WWS in Orlando there was plenty of light for my F/2.8 at ISO 1600. That was several years ago and images have been archived.

[therealmr]

You can do it, but I'd recommend shooting in RAW and underexposing it a bit, as well as boosting your ISO. A 2.8 should work, and the 70-200 f/2.8 is quite sharp wide open... so all you really have to worry about is

1) where you're shooting from (make sure to scope out your best spot early)
2) freezing action (all in camera settings)

[lggal]

If you are going to be close, the 85mm 1.8 is another great option for shooting cheerleading. I use it all the time!

[GBRandy]

You can do it, but I'd recommend shooting in RAW and underexposing it a bit,

Shooting RAW is a good idea if you know what you want to do downstream or are willing to really roll up your sleeves to try and squeeze the last bit of data from the files. If you hate that kinda stuff, the images will never get off the computer....what's the point of that? Shoot Jpeg and sharpen a bit. Perosnally I shoot all RAW, but spend several hours post event working over th files.

An underexposed shot will require a lift in levels in PP which will create a mess in noise if the shot is ISO 1250 or better...RAW or Jpeg.

If you need to shoot in low light venues that means you are running high ISO. The normal way to handle noise control in high ISO settings is to meter for the face and set you exposure manually unless they are running in and out of different lighting conditions.

When you set that exposure set it to be overexposed by about 1/3 of a stop....or set your exposure control to do that automatically. Having the histogram too far to the left will give you fits when you move it back over...noise noise noise.

Having shot in poorly lit gyms (lile Bwolfrd) there is a specific technique that seems to work best for these kind of places. Over exposing a bit is a key part of it.

Here are a couple to show what can be done....sorry if you saw these before but I have them handy....(sorry Brice)
MKIIn, ISO 3200:
http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2007_2008_Photos/Appleton2007/pictures/picture-76.jpg

MKIIn ISO 1600
http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2007_2008_Photos/Appleton2007/pictures/picture-63.jpg

[bwolford]

Having shot in poorly lit gyms (lile Bwolfrd) there is a specific technique that seems to work best for these kind of places. Over exposing a bit is a key part of it.

Here are a couple to show what can be done....sorry if you saw these before but I have them handy....(sorry Brice)



No apologies to me is necessary. :) I've learned a lot from Randy. I've been underexposing my shots because I thought it was the right thing to do and my images are full of noise when I boost for proper exposure. I was planning to try Randy's over exposure technique this last weekend, but I was shooting in a bat cave and I couldn't even get a decent undersposed shot so I'll have to wait until Charleston in 1 week. I can tell you I've been taking Randy's advice and my shots are getting better and better. I suspect the overexposure technique is worthy of consideration and if it works as well as the other advice I've received from Randy, I expect much better images with less PP required.

[missalyce]

You can do it, but I'd recommend shooting in RAW and underexposing it a bit, as well as boosting your ISO. A 2.8 should work, and the 70-200 f/2.8 is quite sharp wide open... so all you really have to worry about is

1) where you're shooting from (make sure to scope out your best spot early)
2) freezing action (all in camera settings)

I always shoot at 1600 ISO and have been lucky so far very rare I have a few shots that don't come out. I have never shot in RAW before I actually know nothing about it to be honest.

[missalyce]

If you are going to be close, the 85mm 1.8 is another great option for shooting cheerleading. I use it all the time!

Thats my favorite lens!!!! I just don't use it at the competitions because I feel I am never close enough to use it. However for after the competitions I love using it to take shots of the girls with their friends the Bokeh is amazing!

[GBRandy]

Thats my favorite lens!!!! I just don't use it at the competitions because I feel I am never close enough to use it. However for after the competitions I love using it to take shots of the girls with their friends the Bokeh is amazing!

The 85mm is also a favorite of mine...and if you like that one, wait until you get a hold of a 135 f2. ;)

[GBRandy]

No apologies to me is necessary. :) my shots are getting better and better.

Thanks for the kind words.....and yes, your images have improved this season for sure. Not they were necessarily all that bad to begin with ;)