Need some advice on this shot

[The ChangoMan]

I'm currently using this as a cover shot for one of my volley ball galleries.
what do think? take a look here ---> http://laphotog.zenfolio.com/

Would be very much appreciated.

[RTMiller]

Crisp shot. But it would be better if the ball were in the frame. It's hard to tell if he is playing volleyball or trying to keep the seagulls away from his french fries.

[The ChangoMan]

LMAO... :lol:

Ok, maybe I should clone one in with photoshop.

[dmwierz]

LMAO... :lol:

Ok, maybe I should clone one in with photoshop.


Oh oh, here we go again...

[The ChangoMan]

or maybe clone in a bag of french fries and some sea gulls.

[The ChangoMan]

Should I replace it with this one?

[docfav]

I would leave #1 alone. If someone is going to look for Volley Ball, they will know what he's doing. If someone is searching for "Seagulls", they might get the wrong idea ;-).

Doc

[The ChangoMan]

I'm pretty sure I'm over-thinking this a bit. I already changed it to the 2nd picture, I think its cooler now that i look at it.

Thanks all.

[Vulcan58]

I think #2 is better - It shows what exactly it's supposed to be about, whereas the first pic the guy could just be punching the air for some reason or another.
Also the "Brolly" in the background is distracting.

[The ChangoMan]

yeah.. I don't like where the "brolly" is going either. :)

[bigjon0107]

Ok, maybe I should clone one in with photoshop.

http://tools.digeratimarketing.co.uk/content/lb/smile/mad/mad0228.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)http://tools.digeratimarketing.co.uk/content/lb/smile/mad/mad0228.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)

[The ChangoMan]

lol... I know, I know... I cheat, therefore I am. :cool:

[bigjon0107]

lol... I know, I know... I cheat, therefore I am. :cool:

It is a little more then just cheating in the photojournalism world (which is what sports falls under). People have had awards stripped and life-long careers ruined for PS'ing images.

[The ChangoMan]

Wow.. didn't know that sports photography was considered photo-journalism. I can see why cheating or PS'ing would looked down upon. I thought it was more like they do in the magazines where none of the people are real, or touched up to the point where they are "perfect" in order to achieve the effect.

In my defense, I don't really mess with the pictures too much. Just some Levels, Shadow and Highlights, and hue saturation around 10% to 15%. But that's only because the XTI body I own has very big problems with underexposing pictures.

Live and learn I guess.

Thanks for the advice.;)

[The ChangoMan]

Some of the Ladies with stretch marks might tell you different though..:)

[The ChangoMan]

It is a little more then just cheating in the photojournalism world (which is what sports falls under). People have had awards stripped and life-long careers ruined for PS'ing images.

Great indoor volley ball shots by the way.

[Strnge]

The umbrellas make it too distracting for me.

[AdamC]

The umbrellas make it too distracting for me.


Me too. It's a winner even without the ball, but the umbrella ruins it IMHO.

[AdamLewis]

I dont think its a very strong picture. I suppose its fine to be used as an album cover, but thats probably is. There is no ball, and the background is very distracting. Shooting serves from ground level is rarely a good idea. To get a good "pose" youll almost never have the ball in the frame unless you shoot way wide. To have the ball in the frame, the body position isnt as appealing.

I think the second image is stronger than the first.

[The ChangoMan]

Awesome. Thank you.

[The ChangoMan]

Well... now that we're on the subject. Can you give me some C&C on this one?

There's more here --> http://laphoto.zenfolio.com/

[manutd101]

I think it's an okay shot. The cones are a little distracting, but this is well composed and nice to look at.

[AdamLewis]

Well... now that we're on the subject. Can you give me some C&C on this one?

There's more here --> http://laphoto.zenfolio.com/

Theres nothing to it. I see what youre trying to do but theres no emotion in the shot. Youve got to face. It could be ok if it was the backside of someone cheering with the loser on their knees in the background but this is just a person standing on the beach.

[The ChangoMan]

Thanks.. I agree, I liked the shot in my view finder, but when I looked again it was missing something.

[Strnge]

Several Shots from your website are great. Why post these?

[The ChangoMan]

Because these are the ones I need help with... (not trying to show off, but learn). These are the ones i'm not sure about.

..and all of you have been a big help, thanks again!:D

[AdamLewis]

Thanks.. I agree, I liked the shot in my view finder, but when I looked again it was missing something.

I know the feeling. I think weve all been there and done that. Im not saying its bad by any means. The simple fact though is that there is nothing that sets it apart from any other picture someone could have taken.

The good thing about digital though is nothing is wasted. If you think it may look good, go ahead and snap it and think about it later. Just be sure to learn from what youve taken ;)

[The ChangoMan]

Sounds good to me.:cool:

[manutd101]

I know the feeling. I think weve all been there and done that. Im not saying its bad by any means. The simple fact though is that there is nothing that sets it apart from any other picture someone could have taken.

The good thing about digital though is nothing is wasted. If you think it may look good, go ahead and snap it and think about it later. Just be sure to learn from what youve taken ;)

Great advice here :)

[KirkHMB]

C & C on the girl:

She's contemplating Rubys on the pier for dinner, what's the problem?

The only clue its a VB shot is the rope lines on the ground. No ball, net or opponents or form to show she's playing.

Overall, I like the first shot better than the second, a good pose (form), but the umbrella and lack of ball kill it. The second shot's not as dramatic as the first, but probably the better sho.

[The ChangoMan]

Whoa.. AdamLewis, your Pictures are so clean! Love those AVP ones. How do you know when those critical shots are coming?

Very nice... *(green eyes of jealousy arising... ):evil:

[AdamLewis]

Whoa.. AdamLewis, your Pictures are so clean! Love those AVP ones. How do you know when those critical shots are coming?

Very nice... *(green eyes of jealousy arising... ):evil:

Haha thanks for the kind words.

As far as timing, its just something you pick up I guess. That AVP tournament was the first time I had ever shot volleyball of any sort. I was covering the event for the producers so shots of players werent critical. After I knocked out all the shots they needed for the day, I spent a good amount of time watching the game and just trying to figure out what typically happens and where I could get good pictures of it from. By the end of the first night I had a good idea and then I got a little better as the days went on. Id love to try it again sometime.

[The ChangoMan]

I guess that's where experience comes in. I need some of that. Maybe one day.:confused:

[pyroben92]

Very crisp and in focus shot. However, It would be nice if the ball was in the picture.

[The ChangoMan]

I've learned a whole lot from everyone.. there's another game this weekend. I'll post them up, hopefully there will be a noticeable difference as far as volley ball photography is concerned.