Flash or Ambient...Gym sport's

[neumanns]

Just curius...I see lot's of threads about Indoor sports and lighting setup's. I shoot High Iso with somtimes a slower than desirable shutterspeed's. Just wondering if there are other ambient shooters that don't speak up or if everyone but me shoot's flash.

[snyderman]

Certainly not the only one here shooting without strobes. I shoot ambient only boys HS Basketball. Would be nice to have enough strobes to turn a gym into an easybake oven, but for now, it's a 30D & an 85mm f/1.8 excusively for me.

I'm pretty happy with the results. Little bit of PP and the pics look fine and print even better, or so I've heard.

dave

[40Dude6aedyk]

I shoot quite a bit of ambient, but I don't think it is technically difficult, so there is not much to discuss. :) I mean how many times do you want to read this: "Use high ISO, 3200 or 1600, SS speed 1/400th or better if you can and open up the aperture. Add some noise reduction in PP and you are done."

Here's a thread from a month ago: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=629790

[TopGear1Ds]

I voted ambient and flash.

I shoot ambient, direct off camera speedlights, and bounced AB 800's depending on the situation.

[Big K]

I shoot all three at different times, depending on the situation. My ideal is to be able to bounce studio strobes. Next is ambient unless the conditions just make it impossible or if I am shooting for a print publication. Last option is direct on camera flash and it is my least desirable option by far.

[Mike R]

I don't have a choice. Multiple sports at 2 schools where they will not allow flash. Cheerleading at a university and flash is not allowed for the competitions. However, if you are allowd to use flash, try shooting ambient. It's a great way to learn about the relationship between aperture,SS and ISO

[Dan-o]

You will not beat the quality of a properly done strobed shot with high iso ambient.

[MillsArt]

Depends on what and how your shooting.

Strobes look great, no question about it, but personlly for an in/out 2 games in one night assignment for a local paper, its not only impractical to set up/tear down but for newsprint not really needed.

Shooting an all day tournament ? Defiantly strobe it and get the best shots possible for as many kids as possible.

Shooting a single game ? Depends, are you trying to sell posters or just take some shots for a website or what.

No one size fits all answer really.

I personlly shoot natural light as often as I can, when conditions and publication needs allow it.