5th Grade Basketball with Strobes

[docfav]

I have a couple of Quantum QFlash strobes from my job and I read up on indoor basketball setups. I decided to give it a try yesterday. I didn't realize how hard it was to capture good action shots. Part maybe because I was looking for "Pro" action from 5th graders. Once I settled in I got some nice action.

Most of the photos are 40D with Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 llens; 640iso, f/2.8, 1/250th. I used the 2 strobes bounced off the cieling at 1/2 power.

C&C always welcome.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3206805142_6a2b38d8ff.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3205968369_1ff5036c41.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/3205972537_99721c3f54.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/3206818248_597cb07d4f.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3205977515_1be3aeb296.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3205980475_3839645021.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3205965151_57526d93d0.jpg?v=0

Thanks,
Doc

[clarence]

The lighting looks great... nice and even, no harsh shadows. What did you use for triggers?

[docfav]

FreeXWire. Worked well.

[Simon Turkin]

some intense shots there

[TopGear1Ds]

I'm not positive about your specific strobe, but usually on non-speedlight type strobes, decreasing the power actually increases the flash duration. It looks like you've got a little bit of motion blur in places, and that might be the cause.. just something to check up on.

[40Dude6aedyk]

I like that you have one of every color T-shirt! Or is that just a wack-o WB? :)

[Sauk]

Colors and action are solid.

Are you able to sit so you're not shooting down on the kids?

Also when you lower the power your losing your t1 time which is pretty important. By the looks of it you're around 1/400th from a 1/1100 T1 when that thing is on full power.

I suggest you keep it full power and just up the F and lower the ISO to get freezing action.

[docfav]

Thanks for C&C everyone. I spent about 8 hours at the gym watching these kiddos play. I work for a company doing team photos and such. I did these in between team shoots.

There wasn't much room in the gym. No stands or anything. There was enough room for one row of chairs along the outside. VERY SMALL Gym.

Thanks again,
Doc

[clarence]

I'm not positive about your specific strobe, but usually on non-speedlight type strobes, decreasing the power actually increases the flash duration. It looks like you've got a little bit of motion blur in places, and that might be the cause.. just something to check up on.

Also when you lower the power your losing your t1 time which is pretty important. By the looks of it you're around 1/400th from a 1/1100 T1 when that thing is on full power.

I suggest you keep it full power and just up the F and lower the ISO to get freezing action.

Unlike AlienBees, looks like lower power on qflash might be faster...

http://www.qtm.com/QFlash/
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2523/qflashlz9.gif

[Sauk]

wow my eyes and brain must be tired, I thought when I read his post it said alien bees! lol boy was I off!

Yeah on regular flashes the t1 and t5 get faster with less power. duh

Those are the t5 times if you want to know the stopping power divide those by 3 and you will get the number

[L.Morey]

They look good compared to my single 580