Bodybuilding: 20D One Year Later (6 Pics)

[drisley]

Well, I finally got to shoot my first bodybuilding contest with my 20D, one year after my first time with the 300D. The 20D's dynamic range, AI Servo, and focus speed were all amazing, and made the number of keeps increase about 400% over what I had last year with the 300D.
I split my use between the 85F1.8 and 135F2L to about 30/70. Luckily I had the aisle seat available for rows 5, 6, and 7. I was my own zoom for the evening.
The improved dynamic range helped so much, I had to play with levels to get some blown highlights on the skin of the competitors to make the pictures "pop" a little. Nice change compared to last year with the 300D where I had to do my best to rescue highlight detail on most images. Looking at the pictures now, I wonder if I should have added even more contrast to give even more "pop". I notice most muscle mags really love to boost contrast and saturation at the expense of detail.

Anyway, I will post some fitness/figure pictures in another thread ;)

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/novice2005

Let's start with the women:

85.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0006 s (1/1600), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005women/IMG_6273.jpg

85.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0016 s (1/640), iso800
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005women/IMG_6284.jpg

And the men:

135.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0016 s (1/640), iso800
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005men/IMG_6335.jpg

135.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0020 s (1/500), iso800
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005men/IMG_6405.jpg

Rrrrrrrrriiiippped!

135.0mm, f/2.8, 0.0010 s (1/1000), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005men/IMG_6596.jpg


A little bit of fun....

135.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0016 s (1/640), iso800
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005misc/IMG_6364.jpg

[retro]

Great shots. I hope to shoot the event coming to our city this summer. Great inspiration!

[drisley]

Thanks retro. It's alot of fun!
Get yourself an 85F1.8 if you can. It's a must for low light shooting like this :)

[Michaelmjc]

It's gross to see girl body builders, they loose their nice physique.

the shots turned out very good.

[drisley]

Thanks for the nice comment.
I respect your opinion, but I disagree. The girl in #2 above for example has a perfect physique.
I also think the same about #1, but I can see how some might find that too lean.

Most of todays models (not runway models), including playboy, and general health and fitness have physiques that are not too far off from female bodybuilders (not the pro 'roided ones).
It's only a matter of less bodyfat.

[Carzee]

The skin tones, especially the blokes, have a 'smoked' & cured look! I have not looked at other body building pix or mags in a long time... so I assume this tone must be the norm nowadays for bodybuilders....

...[Homer Simpson voiceover] MMMmmmm, barbeque flavour...[/voiceover off]:lol:

[Sohc_mshue]

nice pics, but those women just really gross me out. They don't look natural at all.

[drisley]

Carzee, thanks for the comment. *lol*
I assume you mean the fact that they are so dark? Or do you think the colour may be too red or something?
All White Balances were the same, and I tried to match as close as possible to the original.
I know the guy in #3 is sort of "salmon" coloured, but I do remember he was a slightly different colour than most of the others.

Sohc, I still don't understand that. If you saw girl #2 walking down the street, I can guarantee you wouldn't know she was a bodybuilder (if she didnt have that tan). But again, everybody has different tastes.
I prefer leaner, athletic fit women over the fat, out of shape women any day.

[Don Ellis]

I prefer leaner, athletic fit women over the fat, out of shape women any day.
I once rented a cottage from a lean Californian who said, "I'd never date a woman who weighed less than 180." Now THAT freaked me out, but on reflection I was pleased for all the women over 180. All it takes is a quick look-around to realize there's someone for nearly everybody.

I think #1 is spot on, as person, pose and photo. Well done. The other pictures are good as well. And although I'm still fooling around with the G1 and G2, who knows... one of these days I might even want a DSLR, so I appreciate your critical comments in comparing the 300D and 20D.

Thanks for the post.

Don

[drisley]

Don! Nice to hear from you again!
I've seen what you can do with the G1 and G2, and I almost can't fathom what you could do with a camera like the 20D :)
If you are interested in fast moving subjects, then the 20D is a huge advantage over the 300D.
In cases of extreme lighting, as in this situation, the increased dynamic range of the 20D is also very handy. The 20D just seems to handle the highlights much nicer. Basically blown highlights tend to be more agreeable as transition to 255 is much smoother than with the 300D, and most other cameras.
However, for almost all other situations the 300D is probably just as capable. The high iso noise isn't quite as good, but it is close.
I can say for certain, you would take better pictures with the 300D than I could with a 1DSMKII :)
Have you considered the new 350D? It has alot of the features of the 20D, and from what I've seen it is one tiny SLR, and I know how you prefer a more portable camera.

Btw, about picture #1, it's one of my favourites too. Her skin colour is very good, probably the best of all the competitors in the show. It's rather funny to see all the different skin colours on the different competitors... some competitors have many different tones and colours themselves :)

[ElleG83]

It's gross to see girl body builders, they loose their nice physique.

it's gross to see the men body builders too... they all look like something is going to snap. i get a charlie horse just looking at the pictures:confused: ! technically though, they are great photos.

[drisley]

Thanks Elle :)
I remember when I was 18-21, my friends and I lifted weights hard, and all wanted to look like the bodybuilders in the magazines. Funny thing though, all of our girlfriends agreed that that huge, ripped look grossed them out.
Later I realized that without great genetics, steroids, and a lot of hard work, there was no way I ever could have gotten that big.
But whether you like it or hate it, you really have to admire how much work these athletes endure.
Not to mention the dieting. It takes a lot of discipline, much more than most professional sports.
And in novice events like this, you have to remember there is no money involved. The people do this for the love of the sport, and for the most part, the love of fitness.

[DavoMrMac]

Yeah, great definition on those photos, I like them a lot.

I agree that the female one's look weird, much prefer females looking more natural (like ElleG83) :-)

Anyway, drisley, you have given me some inspiration to go out and take more photos, wishing to acheive your expertise, thanks for that.

[drisley]

Anyway, drisley, you have given me some inspiration to go out and take more photos, wishing to acheive your expertise, thanks for that.

:shock:
OMG! Thanks DavoMrMac. That's one of the nicest things I've heard in a long time!
Very nice of you :)

And c'mon gals, who amongst you could resist...

THIS!

http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005men/IMG_6341.jpg

[rssfhs]

I guess it's time for me to buy a new camera! :-/

[drisley]

I guess it's time for me to buy a new camera! :-/
:o
Ooops, sorry. I didnt want to give the impression that the 20D is a must have.
But, for somebody with as little talent as myself can use all the electronic help I can get.

[Don Ellis]

I can say for certain, you would take better pictures with the 300D than I could with a 1DSMKII :)
Too untrue...as these photos prove.

Have you considered the new 350D? It has alot of the features of the 20D, and from what I've seen it is one tiny SLR, and I know how you prefer a more portable camera.
Haven't really considered anything (except maybe a G7 or G8 since selling my F90X Nikon bodies and big lenses. Sometimes I wonder if I should have kept them, but I never took them anywhere because I didn't have a porter.

I'll have a look at the 350D... thanks again. I think you've done a fine job of recording people who show an incredible amount of dedication.

Cheers,

Don

[ssim]

Nice shots, so sharp and color is great.

This is certainly not my thing and I find both the men and women to be un-natural.

To each their own.

[schmoelzel]

Excellent shots!! Sharpness, composition, colour, all top notch!! I am sure these athletes would love to have some copies..........you sure make that 135 sing Drisley!! (must be all the Rooibos that you are drinking!!)

[nat869]

To jump to your defense Drisley........I LOVE MUSCULAR ATHLETIC WOMEN!!!!! Your first pic of the female bodybuilders is.......wow!!! She has an absolutely perfect body, not too lean at all, and not big and roided out. Did I mention I think she is hot? Anyway, as I said in the fitness/figure thread, great pics!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rssfhs
I guess it's time for me to buy a new camera! :-/



Ooops, sorry. I didnt want to give the impression that the 20D is a must have.
But, for somebody with as little talent as myself can use all the electronic help I can get.

I must dissagree........I think the 20D is going to be a must have!!! At least for me, as I have less talent than you!!!

As a side question, the promoters where you are let in professional camera equipment? The main promoter around here is really uptight and will not let people bring in slr type cameras or tripods. I have to sneak my rig in, and then of course I can only use one lens, usually my Tamron 28-75, which just does not reach far enough. That 85mm 1.8 may be a great option for me in the near future. Anyway, great pics, keep it up.

[drisley]

Thanks again for the nice comments ssim, schmoelzel, and nat869.
Schmoelzel, yes, if it wasn't for the Rooibos tea, I would be drinking something with caffiene, and everything would be a blurry mess;)
Ssim, I'm glad you like the pictures, and i can understand if the physiques are not your "cup of tea".

Nat869, I was anxiously awaiting your response knowing you are a fitness fan as I am.
I too agree about the subject in #1, and the thing that is even more impressive is that I believe she was in the masters category, ages 40+.
Last year as mentioned I took my 300D and 50F1.8. My friend who owns a gym and knows the bodybuilding president gave me the tickets. He liked my shots so much more than the "official" ones, he actually invites me to every event now. So, I am very lucky with my connectons that way.
In the end I supply the association with images they can use for promos, or to give to the competitors, and I get much needed experience and have a lot of fun in the process :)

[nat869]

Thanks again for the nice comments ssim, schmoelzel, and nat869.
Schmoelzel, yes, if it wasn't for the Rooibos tea, I would be drinking something with caffiene, and everything would be a blurry mess;)
Ssim, I'm glad you like the pictures, and i can understand if the physiques are not your "cup of tea".

Nat869, I was anxiously awaiting your response knowing you are a fitness fan as I am.
I too agree about the subject in #1, and the thing that is even more impressive is that I believe she was in the masters category, ages 40+.
Last year as mentioned I took my 300D and 50F1.8. My friend who owns a gym and knows the bodybuilding president gave me the tickets. He liked my shots so much more than the "official" ones, he actually invites me to every event now. So, I am very lucky with my connectons that way.
In the end I supply the association with images they can use for promos, or to give to the competitors, and I get much needed experience and have a lot of fun in the process :)

Masters class?? WOW!!! She looks stunning. Most of the fitness/figure/non-roid bodybulders seem to age extremely well. You sure are lucky to have great connections. I have been trying to make friends with the local promoter, but have been unsuccessful so far. Anyway, I need to get to the point where I can shoot the contests as good as you do. Incidentally, Samantha really enjoyed looking at the pics in your gallery. She too thought they were excellent. Once again, thanks for sharing!!

[drisley]

Thanks nat. Yes, I agree, there were some stunning competitors, and I'm sure being healthy is the main reason. I also assume/hope that their skin colour is from a bottle, and not tanning beds, or they may end up looking like raisins soon enough.
Btw, if you want to compare my images to the official ones, HERE (http://www.bodybuilding.ca/novice05.htm) is the link to the official page.
Thank Samantha for me too. I'm a big fan of hers too :)

[drisley]

Oh, I just checked. She was in the masters.
How'd I know? Well, check out this 100% image (http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/20d/master100.jpg):)

[cmM]

Great shots there, man! These are very sharp and the colors are great. Keep it up ;)

[roanjohn]

Drisley - glad that the 85 and 135 are serving you well!!! And of course, the 20D is an especially great camera.........BUT, none of that would matter if you do not have the proper skills to use 'em............and I must say that you have mastered it!!! Great job!!!

:-)

Ro1

[drisley]

:oops:
Thanks guys.