Women's Volleyball - Iowa State vs Baylor

[dsmPhotoCompany]

ISU took on Baylor last night, won in 5 sets, avenging a road loss earlier this season and remains undefeated at home. A few from last night...

http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/?start=all


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0031-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0060-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0070-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0127-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0157-800.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0184-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0171-800.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0201-800.jpg

[dsmPhotoCompany]

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have shot VB before or quick action like it in that kind of light, what a person could do better. I had a 40D and 20D with 20-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L IS. Shot at 2.8-3.5 and usually at 1/500 (sometimes slower or faster, was tough to get much any slower) - 1600 and H ISO. I shot a couple WB readings, but found AWB still looked the "best". My biggest complaint is I wish they were sharper. I did feel during the game when comparing shots from the two bodies, the 20D was getting me sharper images. However, it has a much smaller screen and is hard to tell. I didn't take time last night to compare images between the two bodies.

#7 was doing that emotive celebration all night long. And I must have taken 20+ frames of her doing that, but could not get a one in focus. Finally late in the game, I just followed her and waited for a Cyclone point to get the shot. Like hell if I was going to let her escape me!

I didn't do anything in post to most of these but import and export from LR, ran some presets (and modified the results) on a few of them.

A few others...

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0071-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0109-800.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh210/iClickPhotography/ISU%20Volleyball/ISUVB-IMG_0200-800.jpg

[Harleypugs]

I like your shots...and love the fact that you have covered that behind the scenes stuff as well...

I have to say though...the tilting does not work for most of these shots.

Love it for the jub shot....the others need to be corrected in my opinion.

Jon

PS Also love it for the cheer shot.

[perfeng702]

very nice set

[carshop]

nice set
but tilting for me doesnt work

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I tilt because that's part of my style normally. I made sure to get a variety of tilts and no tilts for the game, but everyone always gets the straight-on shots - a person must be different to separate from others.

I wish I had taken more shots like the last one from my original post. On the camera, it looked just ok. I really liked it when I got home, wish I had some of those with action - serves coming from the other direction, etc.

[Big K]

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have shot VB before or quick action like it in that kind of light, what a person could do better. I had a 40D and 20D with 20-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L IS. Shot at 2.8-3.5 and usually at 1/500 (sometimes slower or faster, was tough to get much any slower) - 1600 and H ISO.

Shutter speed is the key. 1/500 is really not enough for most volleyball action due to the really fast motion. Best option is to always shoot at f/2.8 and as high an ISO that you can still accept the noise you are getting. Your only other options are faster glass like a 135 f/2 or start using strobes.

I tilt because that's part of my style normally. I made sure to get a variety of tilts and no tilts for the game, but everyone always gets the straight-on shots - a person must be different to separate from others.

My personal opinion regarding action sports is you be different by capturing sharper images of better action and from different perspectives and not from gimmicky things like titling the camera. Action sports is not fashion photography or an art class project.

While I respect your desire to be unique, I personally think the tilt style for sports makes it look like you don't know how to hold your camera or were too lazy to fix the error in post and will cost you more paying opportunities than it will gain.

[carshop]

Big K
Nice images on your site.

[Big K]

Big K
Nice images on your site.

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback and thanks for taking the time to look.

Have a good day.

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Big K
Nice images on your site.

Agreed.

Kevin - thanks for the feedback. I'll always still put my spin on some of the shots, but will be mindful to lean further toward the traditional crops.

I viewed your VB images, very sharp stuff with little noise. It seems the light in those gyms is slightly better than Hilton (where I shot last night), but can't tell for sure. What are you shooting these at? Were you setting some strobes up around the gym in these?

Even when I went higher with the shutter (and shooting AI Servo), I didn't get as sharp of images as I'd like, still noisy and a bit underexposed.

Hilton does have strobes in the ceiling that can be fired via PWs, but I don't use PWs and I have not seen results that I liked from those using the strobes in Hilton.

[Big K]

Agreed.

Kevin - thanks for the feedback. I'll always still put my spin on some of the shots, but will be mindful to lean further toward the traditional crops.

I viewed your VB images, very sharp stuff with little noise. It seems the light in those gyms is slightly better than Hilton (where I shot last night), but can't tell for sure. What are you shooting these at? Were you setting some strobes up around the gym in these?

Even when I went higher with the shutter (and shooting AI Servo), I didn't get as sharp of images as I'd like, still noisy and a bit underexposed.

Hilton does have strobes in the ceiling that can be fired via PWs, but I don't use PWs and I have not seen results that I liked from those using the strobes in Hilton.

Thanks.

Most of the recent volleyball on my site was in the same gym and was generally shot with a Mk III and 135 f/2 at ISO 2000, 1/640 - 1/800 and f/2. The Mk III works very well at higher ISO's and that 135, when you hit the focus, is really hard to beat.

My stuff is also HS volleyball and while this team is pretty good, it is still not the same level of speed and athleticism as what you are trying to capture at the college level.

I find that noise is much less of an issue if you shoot +1/3 overexposed so you might give that a try. It will cost you some shutter speed which will ruin lots of shots by introducing more motion blur but will help the noise.

I shot in a gym this past weekend covering a tourney where I was at ISO 3200, f/2 and 1/500 and my keeper rate was at best 1 in 8. I am working on getting the images ready for my website and should have them up later if you want to see the difference. A gym with decent lighting sure makes things much easier.

Check out some of Phil Z's posts on strobing VB. He is really getting pretty good at it but as you have found, strobes don't necessarily mean better photos if the positioning is not ideal, which might be a contributing factor in your gym.

Forgot to add, no strobes for my VB stuff. They won't let me use them around here for VB.

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Pretty much what I expected, you're eliminating the noise by using a better body and smaller aperture lens. It's great work, so again - kudos.

I may give my 50mm 1.4 a try, but I'm not sure it'll focus quick enough. Definitely going to take it along for the next game though.

Huge game next Saturday from Nebraska. The communication director specifically asked if I could be there for that one. They loved that last shot from my original post (which I was ironically talking about earlier) and want more like it when the stands behind are full...as well as another image video (put one together for 'em from last night's game).

[Aaagogo]

-1 on the tilt too... other than that, I love the content captured in the shots, wouldn't have believed that it came from a 20D

[Big K]

Have fun at the big game.

The 50 f/1.4 might be a bit slow but it can produce some nice sports shots if you are set up in the general vicinity of the action where the AF adjustment isn't that great. Plus, the DOF can be a bit more forgiving with a 50 than something like your 70-200, even at a wider aperture.

Good luck, be safe and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[Big K]

-1 on the tilt too... other than that, I love the content captured in the shots, wouldn't have believed that it came from a 20D

Haven't seen you in the sports section for awhile. Hope all is well.

[dsmPhotoCompany]

-1 on the tilt too... other than that, I love the content captured in the shots, wouldn't have believed that it came from a 20D

When you tilt a 20D, you get better shots. Didn't ya read that in the manual?

bw!

Thanks. I just bought it used (from an amateur that didn't want it anymore) last week and was impressed. My biggest problem was toting around 2 cameras. Going to do it just with the camera straps for a bit more until I see what way I use them best - then look at some different harness strap options.

Have fun at the big game.

The 50 f/1.4 might be a bit slow but it can produce some nice sports shots if you are set up in the general vicinity of the action where the AF adjustment isn't that great. Plus, the DOF can be a bit more forgiving with a 50 than something like your 70-200, even at a wider aperture.

Good luck, be safe and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Yup. I love the bokeh on the 70-200, but I'd rather have my subject in focus and without a lot of noise.

Wish I had a fisheye lens too, would get at least one shot from the end of the court pretty much showing the entire place.

[snyderman]

Kevin:

your 'tilt' style works great on a shot like #6 in original post. Really shows off the forward movement and power in a spike shot like you've captured.

dave

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Kevin:

your 'tilt' style works great on a shot like #6 in original post. Really shows off the forward movement and power in a spike shot like you've captured.

dave

Thanks.

BTW...I'm not Kevin...he is "Big K".

[Aaagogo]

yeah, 2 bodies needs some getting used to. I almost strangled myself a few times when I first started carrying 2 bodies.

if ur bodies have a grip, I recommend strapping one end on the mode selection dial side, and the other at the bottom of the grip. that way, the camera hangs downwards with the lens pointing down and it makes it easier for me. YMMV

[dsmPhotoCompany]

I have a grip on my 40D, have not got one yet for the 20D.

I have a handstrap on my 40D which is using the "hook" on the grip.

[Harleypugs]

I can understand trying to stand out for the others...but this might be too much in my mind...;)

I have shot with a 50 1.4...and it worked well. I had the Sigma and liked using it for VB.

Right now I prefer the 70-200 2.8 on my MKIII. I messed with the 24-70 a bit...but didn't like it as much.

[JeffreyG]

The gyms I shoot in are 1 2/3 to 2 stops darker than this lovely NCAA venue. I typically shoot ISO 3200, f/2 and 1/800 if I can get it, typically dropping to 1/640. After that I start to push in post because I won't go below 1/640.

I get sharp shots at those settings, but not all of them. I've come to understand that one cannot expect to track the wrong player and then think the AF will be able to get over to the other one immediately even with the 135L on a 1D Mark III. In this game you have got to be able to follow the game and predict who will get the hit/dig. Sets and passes are a lot easier because these usually go to the same girl over and over.

Also just be prepared that you will not get even half of the hits. The girls play misdirection, and they will fool you. When the ball comes to the team I am photographing I usually pick one girl for the dig/pass. If the ball comes to her great, otherwise I skip it and move to the setter. Once she sets it I relocate to whatever hitter I have a clear shot to. If she hits it, great. If it is another girl then I wait for the reaction to the point and shoot that instead with the girl I'm on.

I only like the tilt on #6. The tilting is not helping the other shots.

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Thanks again all for the feedback and your experiences in shooting VB. Great thread with some good info!

I got this late last night from the ISU athletic department office...

Jeremy~ Thanks, I'll try to download this zip file tomorrow when I am at the office. I'll let you know when it gets done.

As someone who has seen hundreds of volleyball photographs let me tell you that you really are gifted and have an artistic eye. I love the "non-action" stuff you capture.

I'll see what I can do about the photo credit. For some reason when our website got redesigned that option went out the door. I'm going to continue to give you shout outs on the twitter page I run for the program, but I'll see what our web guy can do.

Finally, I hope you get to enjoy some of the match. It is a fun sport that is really taking off at Iowa State. This is a truly special program (i've worked with a lot of programs and these coaches are among the best I've ever seen). I'm glad you are around to capture the moment. I'm guessing our coaches sent that youtube link out to recruits, so in your own way you are doing your part to help the program.

Also this is a random request, but any chance you could get a shot where one of the players is up close and over their shoulder is the banners of the Elite Eight and Sweet 16? I understand it is all about positioning and where the players stand but I feel you are one of the people who could somehow pull that off. Would be a really cool shot I think! Sorry, don't mean to be demanding, just excited by your abilities.

Thanks again Jeremy, stop by an say hello next time you are at a match. I'll try to get over and say hi to you too.


As I noted before, I think he's being far too kind as while I think some of the shots are good, IMO, they could be much better. But it's good to get compliments the first time time out of the gate, for never having shot VB and have done limited sports so far. :)

[MNiven]

Great shots...I love womens volleyball the greatest mens spectators sport in the world

[PHS]

Check out this thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=767866&highlight=volleyball

Looking around the forum the 85 1.8 gets high marks for indoor sports on a crop body.

[RickyH]

I really like the action in the photos, but the tilting (for me) hurts the work. I understand trying to have a different style in a world where a lot of photographers do the same thing, but I think the photos suffer

[Croasdail]

I am a very traditional kind of shooter, so I don't do the tilt thingie.... but I have to say, it doesn't bother me so much with this set. It sort of feels like what you would see in a brochure for the team. The only one that doesn't really feel so good for me is the third shot. But it provides some good negative space for a text block, so hey, who knows.

Not offended by these... nope.