NCAA Hoops: Cleveland St. v Loyola

[namasste]

The Vikes bounced back after a tough loss to Wright St. with 75-50 domination of Loyola. Despite it, I still don't think I saw coach Waters smile yet. I felt a little off all night and really wish someone would fix the 16 lights I saw out but I guess it is what it is. ISO1600 and f2.8 all night. Ran them through a night noise reduction (lum -10/-2) and then my normal post work. Here's a few samples for crit or whatever ya like. I was hoping to get some real isolation stuff for the guys to use on their myspace pages as they like to do.

Hey, I even bumped into a fellow POTN'n down there. What up Rich?

1. 50% crop for fun
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v4/p560341991-5.jpg

2.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v5/p720637413-5.jpg

3.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v4/p965070304-5.jpg

4.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v5/p951772588-5.jpg

5.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v1/p867397961-5.jpg

6.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v5/p990412761-5.jpg

7.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v5/p625566997-5.jpg

8.
http://www.sephotos.net/img/v0/p609963762-5.jpg

[snyderman]

1 & 8 are the 'money' shots! Excellent as always. man, I wish my shots were on the same planet as yours! Thanks as always for posting some good stuff.

dave

[Anderson-Photography]

Nice snaps. Crisp and clean and no caffeine.

[namasste]

Thanks Dave and Chris. Something felt off to me as I mentioned but I guess even the blind squirrel found a few nuts in there somewhere.

[johndevane]

Scott,

I'm going to jump into an area that I think need addressing, which I've been thinking about for the past week since Matt ( Sauk ) said the same thing about feeling "off", but first I'd like to comment about your shots...

#1. and #2. Beautiful for what must be heavy crops. The sweat drops between the arms on #2 are a great example of clarity in a picture. Very impressive.
#3. Loose crop. Otherwise great.
#4. and #5. These are what I love about ambient light photos that are well done... A picture that show motion and clear eyes. The images look like they're moving, but the eyes are clean. Like motorsports or bicycles, when the spokes are blurred, but the rider's face is sharp. It gives me the sense of motion in the shot. Very nice.
#6. I don't like. Too much of #34's butt. If it'll crop tight, crop the butt out. Just my opinion.
#7. Perfect, except for horizon? Maybe? Horizon's are tough for me to judge. It's a wonderful shot. This would be my printed shot.
#8. You got robbed by the defender. His expression steals the shot, and draws attention to him, but he's only half in the frame. To me, it looks like you took a picture of the wrong guy.

As far as feeling "off" goes... We see such great images here on POTN, it's tough to outdo each other. POTN ( and SS and Maxpreps etc..) is our best competition. For me personally, I WISH I could match you and Matt, (and Dennis, and Adam, etc...) It's the only healthy competition I have. So when you feel "off", don't forget that you're better than damn near everyone, even on your worst day. Be proud, and have fun every time out.

My point is: It's not work, it's photography.

How's that for a pep talk? :)

John.

[namasste]

As far as feeling "off" goes... We see such great images here on POTN, it's tough to outdo each other. POTN ( and SS and Maxpreps etc..) is our best competition. For me personally, I WISH I could match you and Matt, (and Dennis, and Adam, etc...) It's the only healthy competition I have. So when you feel "off", don't forget that you're better than damn near everyone, even on your worst day. Be proud, and have fun every time out.

My point is: It's not work, it's photography.

Wow, John, that makes me feel really good. I agree that there are some amazing shooters here and I honestly attribute a huge portion of what I do with a camera to what I have learned from the folks here (yourself included, I might add). Next up is perfecting flash as you and Matt and Dan have done this season. Its a real inspiration and something I'll lean on you guys for help with for sure.

Thanks again for the really nice thoughts bud, I sincerely appreciate them, especially given your skills and discerning eye. Thanks too for the crit, you brought some things up that I hadn't considered such as #8.

I'll post a few from the women's game later. On a side note, I did a concert last night instead of sports and the venue made the worst gym in the country look like lighting at Quicken Loans Arena. Fortunately the bands said flash was fien since I couldn't get 1/80 at f2.8 and 3200 to work.

[johndevane]

You can't take good shots at 1/80 ?? I take everything back, you suck.

Now that I (sober up) look back at the shots, #3 may be my favorite. The look on the defenders face tells a long story of embarrassment, longing, and alibi. Or more simply put, "Oh crap, somebody be there to help. Coach is gonna be pissed."

[namasste]

You can't take good shots at 1/80 ?? I take everything back, you suck.

Now that I (sober up) look back at the shots, #3 may be my favorite. The look on the defenders face tells a long story of embarrassment, longing, and alibi. Or more simply put, "Oh crap, somebody be there to help. Coach is gonna be pissed."zlol, yeah, he's looking to see if anyone is going to crash into the paint to save his bacon. FWIW, Coles scored. Call ya in a bit bud.

[Big K]

Nice shots Scott. I really like the light in that gym and the overall impact it has on the finished results.

A bad day shooting is still better than a good day working. :-)

[Big K]

Forgot to add, those look like some of the most comfortable stadium seats I have seen. Too bad more people aren't filling them for the game.

[namasste]

Forgot to add, those look like some of the most comfortable stadium seats I have seen. Too bad more people aren't filling them for the game.yeah, some games you can't find a seat and others seem like you'd here crickets chirping. The lighting is decent 500/2.8/1600 but not as much better as you might think. The green everywhere also wreaks havoc with things at times. Generally, I still wind up pushing everything about 1/3 in post rather than go to 3200 or drop shutter speeds.

[ChunkyDA]

Did you run these through a noise reduction program?

[namasste]

Did you run these through a noise reduction program?
I think I mentioned that above but yes. Noise Ninja, corase filter on, -10/-2, 0/0 color, no sharpening in NN.

[wyofizz]

#3 is a great shot I really like.
Nice action.

Dave