US Open - a little Tiger, Duval, Love and Vijay

[Croasdail]

First crack at golf today - crowds caused havoc with autofucus it didn't know what to pick - even with only center used. Here is are a few little highlight pictures from today...

[Croasdail]

and two more... and that is all....

[DwightMcCann]

Since I don't know diddly about golf, the two middle images could be your neighbors, but the first (even I recognize him!) and last are really terrifc shots! There's no .sig with your equipment so we don't know what YOU were shooting.

[Croasdail]

Ah, you don't know who Duval and Love III are... obviously not a golfer. Thats okay - golfing is only required as part of your residency here in North Carolina... and I suck at it... was just barely let stay. That and Nascar...

Anyway -- my equipment is still in transition and haven't settled on my "final" kit. I first bought a used 10d - then a 20d - returned the 20d because it wasn't all that much better and used that money (plus a little more my wife doesn't know about) to get the 300 f2.8L. These shots were taken with a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 with a 1.4TC @f4. I am probably going to try out the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 next. I sure could have used better then 3 frames per second yesterday - so camera body is back in the running too. So no sig line equipment yet.

[ProAc_Fan]

Should be fun to watch Duval hack it around Pinehurst #2.:rolleyes: I find these outdoor action shots with a very sunny sky to be difficult. The resulting shadows are predictable and to my eyes really detract from the images. Other than the shadows though, I really dig the pics and the choice of subjects too. Davis Love III always seemed to me to be one of the good guys on tour. ;)



Mike

[DwightMcCann]

Nope, don't know a thing about golf except that the ball usually isn't red, unlike that other sport I don't know anything about where they dress so nicely in white! Not into NASCAR either (although the wife loves it!) But I do enjoy good images and the energy/power of the people (not the vehicles) involved in sports.

[KartGirlsMom]

Vijay doesn't look very happy with his shot. I like your photos.

[rich_yau]

#1 is a great picture. nice angle. Just curious, how many frames did you have to chose from for that particular swing?

[Croasdail]

It was late last night... but if I recall there are either 6 or 7 in that sequence. With golf the expression sometimes comes a second or two after the hit so I just keep clicking until the buffer is full. On a 10d that isn't that many shots. most of the shots are almost identical. just trying to increase the odds of being lucky.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Nice shots:D

I do golf and NASCAR both, and have played Pinehurst #2 (stayed and played at The Pines as well) while working on the NASCAR tour. but I have not played the course as they lay it out for the pros. That make me qualified to be in NC?

Anyway, good catches on the after swing position on Tiger, and the after swing look an Vijay's face is excellent. Duval has always been a favorite, even after he lost it.

I'm going to ask a question here, without trying to seem demeaning or insulting... Are you shooting all the way through the swing, or just after ball contact? And if so, are you far enough away to avoid the mirror flap/shutter noise from disturbing the golfer?

(Scenes of Steve (TW's caddie) taking camera from amateur photog last year, and kicking a pro's camera while walking by)

Keep up the good work, and remember why your there. To see these pro's do their thing, and not to interfer while doing your thing. (Hate to harp, but I'd be very unhappy to see the PGA block amateur photogs at events. This one of the few sports where the size of your camera kit won't get you into trouble!)

Regards,

[Croasdail]

I do golf and NASCAR both, and have played Pinehurst #2 (stayed and played at The Pines as well) while working on the NASCAR tour. but I have not played the course as they lay it out for the pros. That make me qualified to be in NC?

Well you got two of the main qualifications nailed.... they basically refer to this area as a suberb of Toronto - so the fact that you are from Ottawa wouldn't be a problem... the only issue would be at Huricane games. 98% of the year the fans are wearing Red and White - except when they play Toronto and the stands turn more then 50% Blue and White - their true colors showing through. Not quit the same effect for when Ottawa comes to town if you can live with that.

Back to golf. Since I only have a 20d and 10d (I was using the 10d) it is pretty much pointless to shoot through the swing. The odds of getting the ball in action with only 3 or 5 frames per second are so remote - it is a waste for me to try. I generally start to press on the crack of the ball and try to get facial expressions. The Tiger was the one I was closest for - about 20 feet away and I got lucky as he stepped backwards after his shot into my line of view. The rest were considerably farther away. I was shooting a 70-200 + 1.4 TC and my son was shooting my 300 2.8. And yes - I am very thankful the USGA grants this type of access and would hate to see if taken away. I am a member down there - have a home in the village... its a great place to come and play... hope you enjoyed your time there.

I am not going to post anymore here but if any of you are curious I will keep posting shots as I figure out who people were on my pbase site... feel free to take a look if you are interested...

http://www.pbase.com/atravelor/2005_up_open__pinehurst_no_2

[Screamer]

Nice shots! For some reason I'm really drawn to the Vijay shot...it speaks more to me. Maybe it's everybody tracking the ball behind him and their facial expressions.

[blackviolet]

his expression, as well. he's a bit unsure. maybe he's hit it long, or it's drifting off to the right. in any event, they are all excellend shots.

[felix21685]

nice shots..i like them..my roomate would like them too :) hes a golf fanatic..fun game.
i prefer the happy gilmore approach :D