Some New Hockey, Finally!

[cstewart]

Only our team's second game and first that I've shot this season. Rink had nice light which was a nice change. Nothing too fancy action wise. EXIF should be embedded but all at 1600ISO 1/500 and f3.2 I think. Whole series can be found at http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/

1.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5561.jpg

2.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5602.jpg

3.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5689.jpg

4.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5683.jpg

5.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5620.jpg

6.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/medium/IMG_5709.jpg

7.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5631.jpg

8.
http://www.cjscons.com/banc1/oct4/bin/images/large/IMG_5645.jpg

[Semmonka]

Nice shots. Good frozen action, low camera angle to show faces, good timing. My only complain is the noise.
That is the only reasong why I dont like to shoot ISO 1600 with my 30D. You can always try some noise reduction SW.
Some of them works pretty good. Little less contrast on #1 and 2 would help to show more details on their jerseys

[Brikwall]

Good shots, Chris, with nice colours. Isn't it great to have a well-lit rink!

Second game already? My son's try-outs just started last night and, depending on what level he plays at, the teams may not be formed until the first of November. Wish he had such an early start...

[Ody]

Nice shots Christian. It really is great to be back in the season, isn't it? I'll look forward to more throughout the season.

Any PP and if so, what are you using?

[cstewart]

Nice shots. Good frozen action, low camera angle to show faces, good timing. My only complain is the noise.
That is the only reasong why I dont like to shoot ISO 1600 with my 30D. You can always try some noise reduction SW.
Some of them works pretty good. Little less contrast on #1 and 2 would help to show more details on their jerseys

Vesa. Thanks but I guess I am not seeing a lot of noise so please tell me where you can see it. I do use a bit of NR when I process in Lightroom. It is virtually impossible at any minor hockey rink around here to shoot at less than 1600 ISO as the light is pretty crappy. In fact in most rinks I need to be up at 3200 and deal with the noise.

Ody - As mentioned above, I use Lightroom 2.0. It has a new tool (I think called a gradient filter) that I think I will find handy for PP the ice without affecting the rest of the player. Also it has a NR tool that I find pretty handy.

Brikwall - Yes, we have our REP team tryouts on Labor Day weekend and then a 2 week process to finalize those teams and then set up the RECreation division teams. We now play a bunch of exhibition games but actual league play won't start until early Nov I think.

Cheers!

Chris

[Semmonka]

Vesa. Thanks but I guess I am not seeing a lot of noise so please tell me where you can see it. I do use a bit of NR when I process in Lightroom. It is virtually impossible at any minor hockey rink around here to shoot at less than 1600 ISO as the light is pretty crappy. In fact in most rinks I need to be up at 3200 and deal with the noise.

The noise can be seen on every pic but #3 is the most evident. If you look at the background and any dark areas, you´ll see the noise. I know how you feel
as when I shoot hockey I have to use also ISO 1600 to get 1/500 at f2.8. Thats just something I have to live with before I get new body.
Im not saying that noise ruins your shots, it was just first thing I noticed.

[Brikwall]

The noise doesn't bother me, Chris. After all, it's to be expected at 1600 and 3200 ISOs. Then again, I "grew up" with film, where noise was a fact of life. Maybe I'm just old and contrary, but I don't understand the digital generation's quest for clean images at high ISOs... :confused:

[stathunter]

Good work. I am shooting for a minor league hockey team this year and hate the lighting--- I can appreciate your work. Good job.

[SquareOne]

Great pics Chris. Thanks for linking the gallery. Great puck freezes and expressions on the players faces. Even thru the cage you catch that emotion of the game.

-Robbo

[cstewart]

Great pics Chris. Thanks for linking the gallery. Great puck freezes and expressions on the players faces. Even thru the cage you catch that emotion of the game.

-Robbo
Yes its one downfall of shooting minor hockey...the cages that obscure the face. I find the silver/chrome cages are the worst because they often reflect too much light, but sometimes you get lucky. A number of players have tan colored cages and these are the best as the cage pretty much blends into the face and it is less noticeable. Here's an example of the type of mask I'm referring to:

http://www.cjscons.com/smha/sep1/content/bin/images/large/IMG_4770.jpg