NYC: USTA US Open Tennis Practice Day

[nicksan]

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p885245866-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p966522645-5.jpg

Finally got one with the ball on the racket.
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p616177787-5.jpg

MDJAK was hitting on this guy...
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p1018107140-4.jpg

[nicksan]

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p153291883-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p373293092-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p358797074-5.jpg

[MDJAK]

I thought that was a grasshopper.

[MDJAK]

btw, just looked at your 2008 thread where you mention thanks to all for helping you with the angles and timing, etc.

Well, I'd like to say thanks FOR NOTHING. Way to share that info with Gabe and me, you scum of the earth. :lol:

me

[MDJAK]

you cut her legs off.

[MDJAK]

Oh, almost forgot: Have fun playing moving man tomorrow. I hope you're stronger than that wimpy handshake of yours. When you pull your back out, don't come cryin' to me. :lol:

me

[nicksan]

you cut her legs off.

She had wooden legs...we've been through this already.:lol:

[nicksan]

Oh, almost forgot: Have fun playing moving man tomorrow. I hope you're stronger than that wimpy handshake of yours. When you pull your back out, don't come cryin' to me. :lol:

me

The handshake was wimpy b/c I remembered you took that tube of suntan lotion into the bathroom and you came out with a weird looking smile afterwards.

[nicksan]

I am looking at the 800+ shots I took.

I think it's safe to say I give a new meaning to the term "Spray and pray"...

...or I can just blame my 1DMKIII.

[nicksan]

btw, just looked at your 2008 thread where you mention thanks to all for helping you with the angles and timing, etc.

Well, I'd like to say thanks FOR NOTHING. Way to share that info with Gabe and me, you scum of the earth. :lol:

me

Hey, I lent Gabe my 135L + 1.4x TC (that's a Canon one, if you are reading Tamron Cal). I think that was a pretty big help on my part.

He was even kind enough not to walk away with it and give it back to me scratch free, but not sweat free. I am going to have to charge the youngin for the fungus that's gonna be growing in that sucka.

:lol:

[EiTheL]

Hey, I lent Gabe my 135L + 1.4x TC (that's a Canon one, if you are reading Tamron Cal). I think that was a pretty big help on my part.

He was even kind enough not to walk away with it and give it back to me scratch free, but not sweat free. I am going to have to charge the youngin for the fungus that's gonna be growing in that sucka.

:lol:
I mostly held it by the hood since my hand started to ache >_> but it was a very fine lens indeed

[MDJAK]

The handshake was wimpy b/c I remembered you took that tube of suntan lotion into the bathroom and you came out with a weird looking smile afterwards.


ROFLMAO!!!

[MDJAK]

hey, Gabby, where the heck are your pics?

[John Photography]

great pix everyone! i'm looking to go on 9/9 for the quarter finals, does have any thoughts on what i can look forward to? there's a 11am and 7pm session, but will there be any practice going on that i can closer?

also, how tight are they with press passes? i have credentials with a local newspaper.

[MDJAK]

chances are your press pass will be useless. Everyone there who had any inside track had a big photo ID around their neck. The USTA does their own credentialing, with the big media outlets requesting it in advance and they either grant or deny same. Have your local paper make application to them and see if that works. Otherwise, no shot.

There are a lot of ground level outside courts that you can always walk right up to so you should be able to get pretty close. Look forward to your results, as mine surely sucked, thanks to Nick's lack of information sharing.

So, he loaned a lens to GAbe. Big f'in deal. That helped me, how? :lol:

me

[Calzinger]

Killer shots guys.

[MDJAK]

Killer shots guys.

I know you ain't talkin' bout my shots; that you're just being kind.

We missed you, sir.

me

[MDJAK]

I mostly held it by the hood since my hand started to ache >_> but it was a very fine lens indeed

From a 135mm f2 your hands were hurting? Aww, poor baby. You limp wristed wimp. ;) ;) :lol:

me

[EiTheL]

From a 135mm f2 your hands were hurting? Aww, poor baby. You limp wristed wimp. ;) ;) :lol:

me
Naw, it was the joint between my thumb and index finger... that started to ache so yea... Still sorting thru pics... and i'm lazy ._.

[Calzinger]

From a 135mm f2 your hands were hurting? Aww, poor baby. You limp wristed wimp. ;) ;) :lol:
Too much suntan lotion perhaps? ;)

[EiTheL]

Oh and, hows your ankle?

[John Photography]

chances are your press pass will be useless. Everyone there who had any inside track had a big photo ID around their neck. The USTA does their own credentialing, with the big media outlets requesting it in advance and they either grant or deny same. Have your local paper make application to them and see if that works. Otherwise, no shot.

There are a lot of ground level outside courts that you can always walk right up to so you should be able to get pretty close. Look forward to your results, as mine surely sucked, thanks to Nick's lack of information sharing.

So, he loaned a lens to GAbe. Big f'in deal. That helped me, how? :lol:

me

i applied, but haven't heard back yet. if not, i'll have to make due with practice sessions on the outer courts.

[MDJAK]

Too much suntan lotion perhaps? ;)
Perhaps. :lol:


Oh and, hows your ankle?


Just fine, thank you. Where's your pics? If you don't get some posted wiki wiki, you'll be permanently banned from future meets. We don't countenance lazy people. :lol:

me

[nicksan]

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p505128471-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p595475539-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p684306080-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p245744351-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p47842246-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p429696510-5.jpg

[Calzinger]

PERFECT exposures on a day where that'd be rather hard.

Whenever I shot sports in harsh sunlight, either the jerseys would get blown out or the faces were too dark to see. There never really was a balance, figured I just reached the limit of DR. Is it a processing thing? Ixnay the kenko/tamron pants, I'm actually curious. :)

[nicksan]

PERFECT exposures on a day where that'd be rather hard.

Whenever I shot sports in harsh sunlight, either the jerseys would get blown out or the faces were too dark to see. There never really was a balance, figured I just reached the limit of DR. Is it a processing thing? Ixnay the kenko/tamron pants, I'm actually curious. :)

Yeah, we started shooting around 11:30am, so the lighting was harsh. Getting the exposure correct helps as does processing...

[nicksan]

Notice I'm the only guy walking the walk...;)

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p601622472-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p784740915-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p871005315-5.jpg

[nicksan]

PERFECT exposures on a day where that'd be rather hard.

Whenever I shot sports in harsh sunlight, either the jerseys would get blown out or the faces were too dark to see. There never really was a balance, figured I just reached the limit of DR. Is it a processing thing? Ixnay the kenko/tamron pants, I'm actually curious. :)

Chris,

I'll humor you by putting up the before and after...this shot was in the shade and had that tell tale blue-ish cast to it straight out of the camera...

Before:
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p224851987-4.jpg

After: (WB correction, color/contrast, and cropped.)
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p712501299-4.jpg

Subtle difference...no? ;)

[Calzinger]

Definitely more subtle than I would've expected. Getting the exposure right in the camera will always be better than adjusting later on. The saturation seems to be the big change on your shots.

I'm viewing all of these on a laptop monitor where nothing ever gets "too dark".

[MDJAK]

you're the only guy walking the walk, because my pictures for the most part sucked. I said it on the 200mm thread where you posted these pics too.

Sometimes I just don't understand why. I know that I tend to either jerk the camera when there's action, or just induce camera shake, but I would think at 1/4000th of a second and higher, that may not matter.

I was very disappointed in the majority of my shots. I suck.

me

[Calzinger]

I can't really comment when I don't know what settings you were using. Maybe post a specific shot with exif?

1/4000" should be plenty, but I don't think I'd want to shoot much below 1/1000".

[nicksan]

Yeah, not sure on that. You would figure 1/4000 would be plenty fast enough.

I was in ai servo most of the the. The most difficult part was tring to figure out the framing. I find that framing tight works and try not to get everything. So what if you only have part of the racket? Also, for full bodied shots frame tight or crop. That sort of thing.

If you noticed, I mostly situated my the net.

I use the back button for af on/off. I usually "bump" it when I take the shot. I also typically aim at the torso of the player.

On my 200L, I was stopped down most of the time.

[nicksan]

Definitely more subtle than I would've expected. Getting the exposure right in the camera will always be better than adjusting later on. The saturation seems to be the big change on your shots.

I'm viewing all of these on a laptop monitor where nothing ever gets "too dark".

Yep, WB correction and some playing around with color/contrast.

[BottomBracket]

Excellent shots dudes. Looks like you had fun - I hope you didn't run out of suntan lotion.

[Calzinger]

Yeah, not sure on that. You would figure 1/4000 would be plenty fast enough.

I was in ai servo most of the the. The most difficult part was tring to figure out the framing. I find that framing tight works and try not to get everything. So what if you only have part of the racket? Also, for full bodied shots frame tight or crop. That sort of thing.

If you noticed, I mostly situated my the net.

I use the back button for af on/off. I usually "bump" it when I take the shot. I also typically aim at the torso of the player.

On my 200L, I was stopped down most of the time.
IMHO getting good results in sports shooting can largely come down to how you crop. Let's face it, even the best of photographers can have trouble perfectly framing in the subject when they're haulin' ass around a court. It's OK if you're shots look all broken straight out of the camera, straighten 'em out and fix 'em up!

I'll typically shoot more wide open while framing out a bit more so there's still enough DOF, and then crop as I see fit. The only problem there is that if the shot has too much DOF, the bokeh can start to look really awkward. I still think this might be a good idea for anyone struggling with framing albeit I never really understood how you can frame with a prime when you aren't moving (obviously never shot a long prime before).

Since I just have a 40D, I'll often set a specific AF point to matching the framing that I'm going for. I most often use the right point and then shoot in portrait (becomes top point to focus on the player's face).

That "in your face" action shot will always be difficult to frame. No one said shooting sports was easy. :D Go figure out racecars, ever try panning? ;) http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs39/i/2008/327/8/a/F108r07___Sebastian_Vettel_by_Calzinger.jpg

[nicksan]

Chris,

I have a feeling the professionals get it right in the camera. They don't have time to go home, crop and PP their shots, etc. Plus they've been doing this for a long time so I guess it comes with experience.

I certainly was all over the place Sunday. I took 800+ shots, and while most of them were in focus, most of them also were throwaways in terms of composition.

It was truly a spray and pray kind of day for me!:lol::o

-Nick

[nicksan]

Some non-tennis related shots from the day...

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p523119265-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p518504688-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p485353060-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p298778380-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p110104372-4.jpg

[MDJAK]

are those the two ladies you said you invited back to your house for cocktails? Nice. :lol:

me

[Calzinger]

Chris,

I have a feeling the professionals get it right in the camera. They don't have time to go home, crop and PP their shots, etc. Plus they've been doing this for a long time so I guess it comes with experience.

I certainly was all over the place Sunday. I took 800+ shots, and while most of them were in focus, most of them also were throwaways in terms of composition.

It was truly a spray and pray kind of day for me!:lol::o

-Nick
I'm certainly no pro nor have I ever shot next to a pro, but with all due respect, getting it right in the camera ain't so hard when you have 8k+ shots to select from out of one shoot. I have a feeling EVERYONE sprays 'n prays to some extent.

[nicksan]

I'm certainly no pro nor have I ever shot next to a pro, but with all due respect, getting it right in the camera ain't so hard when you have 8k+ shots to select from out of one shoot. I have a feeling EVERYONE sprays 'n prays to some extent.

Maybe. I wouldn't know. I don't really know anyone who shoots sports for a living.

[nicksan]

are those the two ladies you said you invited back to your house for cocktails? Nice. :lol:

me

No, we had Twinkies...:lol:

[nicksan]

Excellent shots dudes. Looks like you had fun - I hope you didn't run out of suntan lotion.

Who are you again? :lol:;)

[EiTheL]

Organized the pics... going to upload em tonight ^^

[nicksan]

Organized the pics... going to upload em tonight ^^

Looking forward to seeing my 135L in action! ;););)

[MDJAK]

Some non-tennis related shots from the day...

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p523119265-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p518504688-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p485353060-4.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p298778380-5.jpg

http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p110104372-4.jpg


Artsy-FARTSY crapola, that's what I say. :lol:
me

[Calzinger]

Artsy-FARTSY crapola, that's what I say. :lol:
As a friend of mine would say, Artistic Bullsh!t 101 (aka ABS101).

[EiTheL]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3882837817_a9c540c73a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3882839667_0a51509a26.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3882835139_0131f75aa8.jpg

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[John Photography]

i have a lowepro flipside 300 and i was wondering if i'll have a problem bringing this into the grounds? it says on their site no backpacks, but was wondering how strict they are. i see the gentleman pictured above with a backpack.

http://products.lowepro.com//CatalogImages/18-2083-IMG6L.jpeg

[nicksan]

I noticed that as well. My guess is that they were much looser during the practice day including the type of gear you can bring in.

I would say stick with a shoulder bag but you can try, especially if you are driving there.

[MDJAK]

i have a lowepro flipside 300 and i was wondering if i'll have a problem bringing this into the grounds? it says on their site no backpacks, but was wondering how strict they are. i see the gentleman pictured above with a backpack.

http://products.lowepro.com//CatalogImages/18-2083-IMG6L.jpeg

First, how dare you call me a gentleman? ;) ;)

Second, there is NO way you will be allowed to bring that in. They actually have a mockup of a box with the dimensions of what's allowed. It won't fit in it. Mine didn't, but as the ever present genius of this forum above, LadyBoyNicky, stated, practice day was looser.

Hey Gabe, nice pics, but you need to add a bit of exposure to them, they're a bit dark.

me

[MDJAK]

As a friend of mine would say, Artistic Bullsh!t 101 (aka ABS101).


And LadyNicky and SHOMAT are the artistic directors and professors of the course. :lol:

me

[nicksan]

And LadyNicky and SHOMAT are the artistic directors and professors of the course. :lol:

me

Your jealously is getting pretty embarrassing...:lol:

[SuzyView]

I didn't get to go this year, as tickets cost a fortune and I went to HI and spent all of it. But next year, I'm considering going up. I used to go every year on Labor Day. Friends of ours got 40 tickets or so in the top areas for the day for cheap. Now it's almost impossible to get them.

Great shots, Nick!

[nicksan]

I didn't get to go this year, as tickets cost a fortune and I went to HI and spent all of it. But next year, I'm considering going up. I used to go every year on Labor Day. Friends of ours got 40 tickets or so in the top areas for the day for cheap. Now it's almost impossible to get them.

Great shots, Nick!

Thanks!

That's the great thing about Practice Day. It's completely free, they are very loose when it comes to gear, and you get great seats!

I'll be going next year as well. I've gone the last 3 times so it looks like this is an annual thing!

[SuzyView]

Give me a PM next time around. I grew up in Brooklyn and still have family there so housing is not a problem, just not getting my bag stolen en route . . . . ;)

[nicksan]

Give me a PM next time around. I grew up in Brooklyn and still have family there so housing is not a problem, just not getting my bag stolen en route . . . . ;)

Sure thing!

[BottomBracket]

Who are you again? :lol:;)

Sometimes I forget myself ;) Awesome none-tennis shots, you have an excellent eye nick.

[nicksan]

Sometimes I forget myself ;) Awesome none-tennis shots, you have an excellent eye nick.

Nah. I just have a great camera that takes great pictures. ;)

[EiTheL]

Hey Gabe, nice pics, but you need to add a bit of exposure to them, they're a bit dark.

me

Yea.. I think the light sensor has gone kaput on my camera >_> I should get that checked out eh?

[shomat]

And LadyNicky and SHOMAT are the artistic directors and professors of the course. :lol:

me

SHOMAT L.M.B.S. - Licensed Master of B.S.

[nicksan]

SHOMAT L.M.B.S. - Licensed Master of B.S.

That's even more of an insult to MDJAK and me b/c if you are the LMBS, then what are we?

L.M.B.B.S - Licensed Master of Below B.S...:lol:;):o

[Calzinger]

That's even more of an insult to MDJAK and me b/c if you are the LMBS, then what are we?

L.M.B.B.S - Licensed Master of Below B.S...:lol:;):o
You two are:

U. - Useless

:D

[MDJAK]

so when's the next meet?

I'll be in Wo Hop tomorrow, suckas. :lol:

me

[MDJAK]

That's even more of an insult to MDJAK and me b/c if you are the LMBS, then what are we?

L.M.B.B.S - Licensed Master of Below B.S...:lol:;):o

You're damn right. Don't let them insult us like that, Nicky. Kick their arses. Use some of dat JaPaNeSe okinawa Ka Rat Te on them. Do it!!!!!


me :lol:

[nicksan]

Someone else set something up.

[Calzinger]

I'll be in Wo Hop tomorrow, suckas. :lol:
http://ongofu.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/bar-soap.jpg

[MDJAK]

Someone else set something up.

Yeah, it's such hard work. Duh!!!

http://ongofu.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/bar-soap.jpg

That bar is too big and too clean. :lol:

me

[Snafu]

Wow...nice of me to forget about this thread. Nice shot guys. I was there last week. That Sharapova can sure scream.

[MDJAK]

Wow...nice of me to forget about this thread. Nice shot guys. I was there last week. That Sharapova can sure scream.

admit it, you just didn't want to even be in the same city as Nicky. Can't say as I blame you.

me :lol:

[nicksan]

admit it, you just didn't want to even be in the same city as Nicky. Can't say as I blame you.

me :lol:

So, when's the next meet? 2015?

[John Photography]

check out some shots from the quarter finals...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=751569

[MDJAK]

So, when's the next meet? 2015?

As soon as you come up with a brainstorm. Oh, wait, I forgot you ain't got a brain. :lol:

me

[MDJAK]

Wow...nice of me to forget about this thread. Nice shot guys. I was there last week. That Sharapova can sure scream.

Especially when Nicky serves up the high, hard one. :lol: :lol: :lol:

me

[nicksan]

As soon as you come up with a brainstorm. Oh, wait, I forgot you ain't got a brain. :lol:

me

Now you can't deny that this Tennis meet was pretty nice. Now you come up with one...and I don't want to hear no shootin' yo friends up at the nursing home playing some cards non-sense either.

[MDJAK]

Now you can't deny that this Tennis meet was pretty nice. Now you come up with one...and I don't want to hear no shootin' yo friends up at the nursing home playing some cards non-sense either.

Yeah, you right. Just like you can't deny being chauffered to and fro', being treated to drinks, etc, was pretty nice too, ya grubber.

:lol:

me

[nicksan]

hey, I thanked you didn't I? ;)

Yeah, you right. Just like you can't deny being chauffered to and fro', being treated to drinks, etc, was pretty nice too, ya grubber.

:lol:

me

[MDJAK]

hey, I thanked you didn't I? ;)

Oh, my bad, of course you did. :lol:

me