First HS wrestling with strobes - C&C

[Terry Healy]

These three are all shot using 2 AB strobes (800, 1600) about 12' apart bounced off the ceiling mid-court (where the mat is centered on the court). I know nothing about wrestling, so I'm looking for some guidance. The red mat added a strong cast so in some cases, I dropped the intensity of the red channel in ACR during raw processing.

Would it be worth trying to bounce one strobe off the ceiling, and use one as direct flash at much reduced (1/4? 1/16?) power? One strobe on the opposite side of the gym? Pack it up?

#1 1/320, F/3.2, ISO 500, 200mm
http://www.terryhealyphoto.com/potn/_HPL6554_POTN.jpg

#2 1/320, F/3.2, ISO 500, 200mm
http://www.terryhealyphoto.com/potn/_HPL6571_POTN.jpg

#3 1/250, F/3.5, ISO 500, 130mm
http://www.terryhealyphoto.com/potn/_TH_6850_POTN.jpg

[Big K]

Nothing wrong at all with these. Very nice job. I would leave your lighting just like you have it.

You might get some improvement in the red cast by setting a custom WB and do it near the mat surface but again, I think these look really nice.

[SPORTshot]

I agree with Kevin, they do seem a bit too red. The lighting looks great though, good shots !

[VinnyC01]

1) direct flash. These look fine, but if you are strobing anyway separate the quality of your shots and use the strobes.
2) ISO 500? why so high? Get yourself up above f4.0 and drop that ISO down. You are tight enough that the background will be fine. Plus in wrestling the background slightly bokeh'd is a big fav. look of mine.
3) for the red, I struggle with that too when strobing wrestling. I have added a blue fliter and have adjusted the blue tint while shooting, which has helped a lot.

These are very good. You have both faces, which is a huge plus. But wrestling is not a sport where you need both faces. Many moves and situations hide faces, so always to try to get one. although at times, no faces can also make a quality shot.

Shoot what you like and what your clients like.

EDIT: I have now looked at these on another monitor and these look great. They are sharp and have quality light. You do have that red glow and you can expect this, although I also prefer to get a lower red tint. I also forgot to add that you can add a sepia filter that will neutralize the red.

[Gatorboy]

These look good. Watch your horizons (e.g. #2).

As for the redness.
A) They are on a RED mat
B) These guys are exerting a ton of energy (toughest sport in high school) and their faces will normally be red, so don't think you will get the same skin tone as if they were sitting for a portrait.

[easypz]

Looks great to me Terry. You're definitely getting plenty of light.

Wrestling looks like a tough sport to shoot. I wouldn't even know where to begin with framing or composition. Nice job.

[Terry Healy]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll try to "get the red out" with the filters and more careful custom WB that factors in the reflection off the mat. Or go to another school....

[wyofizz]

Lighting looks good:)

[canons900]

Red mats are tough. But yellow ones are even worse. For me anyways.

[JeffCanon]

Nice Job, I like the tight framing of #s 1 & 2; a little nitpick of the composition of #1 is that I wish there was more of the referee in the frame or none at all

[[ InsertCreativeName ]]

is that school center moriches (sp)? if so those guys were just at a tournament i was in, cool to see a reasonably local guy postin up pics on this site.

[Terry Healy]

InsertCreativeName - Yes, that is Center Moriches. Where are you?

[snyderman]

More stellar shot, Terry. Great job! don't change anything with your processing.

dave