Basketball strobe set up- w/ samples

[canonnoob]

So i have been getting several requests to post my set up for my basketball games. so I will happily help out anyone interested. Below is my set up.. It is not the ideal set up but when is it ever? I will go over the pros and cons after the images are posted.

Side of Gym with the strobes mounted. OLD SET UP- SEE NEW ONES HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=11817306&postcount=33)
1.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/sick06cobalt/009.jpg

Other side of the gym
2.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/sick06cobalt/010-1.jpg

As you can see in the first image, I have a few places to mount the strobe to.
1. the Black metal Bar
2. the metal stand side guards.

- Usually I will mount them to the black metal bar but wanted to test out the silver side guards due to the TV stations being there and they had a remote camera set up that night so I didnt want the flash going off right in their camera.

-The other side of the gym has the same metal side bars on the stands but only in the middle of the stands- as you can see in photo 2.

Pros/Cons of this system:
+Easily mountable and set up.- takes me less than 5 minutes to get everything clamped secured and locked down.
+Pretty even light spread when bounced off of the white backwalls or the ceiling.
+No Light stands to fall over.
+Out of the way of fans and players.
+No distraction- I will go into this in a second.

-light distribution is not totally even, causes it to be a tad hot on the left side when shooting towards the sideline near lights
-Backlighting- some dont like it. It doesnt bother me however.
-Running Cables can be a pain but is still better than any other set up I have tried.

Now to the distraction comment/mini-rant. I have used these lights to shoot most of the season in boys basketball in this gym. Most of the time we have the same refs or some of the same ones do drop in. In the last game I shot, I asked a ref who has been in the gym several times with me shooting if he was bothered by the strobes, his response? "What strobes, I havent seen anything?". This is proof that the refs/players/coaches are not bothered by using strobes in gyms.. This is not saying you should use direct flash shooting games! /mini-rant

So tell me what you think of the set up from what you can see of the gym. I have stands but would rather not use them for the safety of the fans and players. Improvements are welcome..

Just for fun here are a couple shots from a recent game (one showing the backlighting problem and the other showing a nice solid shot):

Backlighting:
http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p240886043-4.jpg

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p36500914-4.jpg

Nice lighting:

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p594281273-4.jpg

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p907596984-4.jpg

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p585169579-4.jpg

[Big K]

Nice writeup Dave.

I personally think shooting in that gym would suck given all the limitations on where you can put lights but think you have about as good a game plan as possible without totally locking yourself into a very limited number of shooting locations.

The only thing I really dislike is the backlit look. It makes everything too washed out for me. Have you tried either a longer reflector to minimize the spill or a gobo (Piece of black paper or cinefoil around the bottom half of the reflector) to help knock down the light hitting the lens? It is hard to tell how much of your light is coming from the spill vs the bounce so not sure if this would help or hurt your setup.

[canonnoob]

The only thing I really dislike is the backlit look. It makes everything too washed out for me. Have you tried either a longer reflector to minimize the spill or a gobo (Piece of black paper or cinefoil around the bottom half of the reflector) to help knock down the light hitting the lens? It is hard to tell how much of your light is coming from the spill vs the bounce so not sure if this would help or hurt your setup.


Interesting idea Kevin. I am using the 11" wide reflectors now.. I still have the 7". maybe I will have to look into a 11" long throw. maybe that would work. Ill take a look into the gobo Idea as well. Thanks for the suggestions

[Big K]

I could not tell which reflectors you were using but if you are already using the 11", the long throws may not make enough difference to justify the cost. I like long throws for helping concentrate the light but it appears you are getting plenty to the floor already.

You all ready for SSA? Lets hope their monsoon conditions improve before we get there.

[canonnoob]

Yup, I sure am ready. My TTASvII will be coming in next week. Ill already be packed and ready to head out. Other than my magic arms and stuff.. Ill buy that before I go sometime soon.

EDIT:

Oh hey incase you dont get a mkIV before I head out, I am spending a few days either prior or after the academy out there so if you would like to test it out and have fun... just feel free to ask.

[SPORTshot]

Hey Dave, I have a question. How many octaves did that kids voice raise up after getting cranked in the family jewels ?

[tomd]

Hey Dave, I have a question. How many octaves did that kids voice raise up after getting cranked in the family jewels ?

I thought the same thing (#3):lol:

[Big K]

Oh hey incase you dont get a mkIV before I head out, I am spending a few days either prior or after the academy out there so if you would like to test it out and have fun... just feel free to ask.

Hey thanks. I hope to have one by then but who knows. I am still trying to decide if I want to make that crazy long drive or just fly. If I end up driving, I will take pretty much all my gear and if so, you are welcome to use anything I have that would help as well. I have a pile of magic arms, clamps, etc. I will let you know when I finally make up my mind.

I really want to drive because of the opportunity to see/photograph a lot of things out west but a three week trip might be a bit costly to justify.

[canonnoob]

Hey Dave, I have a question. How many octaves did that kids voice raise up after getting cranked in the family jewels ?

lol.. just noticed actually... thanks for the laugh.

Hey thanks. I hope to have one by then but who knows. I am still trying to decide if I want to make that crazy long drive or just fly. If I end up driving, I will take pretty much all my gear and if so, you are welcome to use anything I have that would help as well. I have a pile of magic arms, clamps, etc. I will let you know when I finally make up my mind.

I really want to drive because of the opportunity to see/photograph a lot of things out west but a three week trip might be a bit costly to justify.

Gotcha. Well anything I can do for ya let me know. we arent THAT far from eachother.

[photodrew]

Hey Dave, I have a question. How many octaves did that kids voice raise up after getting cranked in the family jewels ?

I Noticed that, Then noticed the teams name "Kickapoo" had to laugh...

[lengz]

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p594281273-4.jpg


Ow.

[mestes]

How do you power the lights would you mind taking a closeup shot some time of the lights mounted?

[canonnoob]

How do you power the lights would you mind taking a closeup shot some time of the lights mounted?

In this shot,

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/sick06cobalt/009.jpg


you can see the power cables running up the wall to the strobes. Then after they get down to my black tool box, (that contains my extension cords) they go back into that room to plug into a wall socket. I tape down the cords to make sure no one will trip and fall.

[mestes]

Any tips for getting the AB800's the right amount of power during setup?

then just adjust camera setting?

[canonnoob]

Any tips for getting the AB800's the right amount of power during setup?

then just adjust camera setting?

That is all dependent on your gym and the set up your use.. in this case I was using full power. Exif is in the images so you can get an idea on camera settings..

[mestes]

yea I understand camera settings arte always different was more looking for strobe settings.

Can you control power remotely or no?

I have 2 AB800's and a set of cybersyncs coming next week.

also where do you shoot from when mounted in this setup? same side as lights on the end lines?

Trying to do my homework before I get to a game so I look more like I know what I am doing.

[mestes]

I am wondering when you first brought these into a gym how many people questioned you on what you were doing or did they leave you alone?

I am about to start doing this in a gym when no one ever stobes and only a few use flash at all.

I am worried i am going to have people asking me so many questions that I will not be able setup correctly, maybe getting their early will be the best option.

[canonnoob]

I am wondering when you first brought these into a gym how many people questioned you on what you were doing or did they leave you alone?

I am about to start doing this in a gym when no one ever stobes and only a few use flash at all.

I am worried i am going to have people asking me so many questions that I will not be able setup correctly, maybe getting their early will be the best option.

I talked with the school and now have a contract with them. I cleared everything with the AD, Coach, and state official.

The coaches answer was " do what you need to do"

[mestes]

I have already talked to the AD and scouted outlet locations the AD even asked my if it would be a distraction before I even set one light up.

I explained that they would be up high and either bounce or direct but the height would make them unnoticable to the players.

I might go in a few times when they are practicing and get the hang of these before I shoot an actual game.

What does the contract cover?

[canonnoob]

I have already talked to the AD and scouted outlet locations the AD even asked my if it would be a distraction before I even set one light up.

I explained that they would be up high and either bounce or direct but the height would make them unnoticable to the players.

I might go in a few times when they are practicing and get the hang of these before I shoot an actual game.

What does the contract cover?


Here is my suggestion. I set up my lights.. Shot an entire game. Then asked a ref if they noticed the lights going off... their answer? no... contact covers the right to shoot and has all of my insurance info and such...

[mestes]

They are already used to me being there and I have press credentials, I also have insurance so I think I will just do as usual.

I have to figure out the best way to mount the lights.

The gym has an upper gym that has a balcony and goes the length of the court and I am thinking of mounting each light at one end and then bounce off ceiling and onto top of the key at each end.

Or on eithr side of the court on the stands, but that means I can only keep them at one end as the one end does not have an outlet or nahd rail to mount too.

I will take some example shots tomorrow and then seek some advice where to mount.

My AB's have not even shipped yet so I have a few days.

[mestes]

when you mount these as shown in the example shot does it light both ends of the floor on at least one side or do you have 4 lights total?

I am thinking about doing something similar with same ab800's but unsure they will light each end on one side?

right now I mount mine at one end across from one another but I usually only cover 1 team and moving them at halftime takes more time than I like.

[canonnoob]

when you mount these as shown in the example shot does it light both ends of the floor on at least one side or do you have 4 lights total?

I am thinking about doing something similar with same ab800's but unsure they will light each end on one side?

right now I mount mine at one end across from one another but I usually only cover 1 team and moving them at halftime takes more time than I like.


This is actually not my set up anymore. I am using something different. Ill post an example here soon. Im actually shooting my first basketball of the season all this past week (Tournament) so Ill post some examples when I get a chance.

[kb9tdj]

This is actually not my set up anymore. I am using something different. Ill post an example here soon. Im actually shooting my first basketball of the season all this past week (Tournament) so Ill post some examples when I get a chance.

I'm anxious to hear about your new setup. I've got a set of B800's coming hopefully this week and I'm ready to start "strobing" some HS sports this winter. I know there's plenty to learn and I'm anxious to start playing.

I spoke with the AD and boys basketball coach of one of the local high schools at the game last night and got their go ahead to set up strobes there. Now I just need to get in touch with the other 3 county high schools and I'll be all set.

[canonnoob]

I'm anxious to hear about your new setup. I've got a set of B800's coming hopefully this week and I'm ready to start "strobing" some HS sports this winter. I know there's plenty to learn and I'm anxious to start playing.

I spoke with the AD and boys basketball coach of one of the local high schools at the game last night and got their go ahead to set up strobes there. Now I just need to get in touch with the other 3 county high schools and I'll be all set.


Im not going to lie.. It is pretty ghetto, but the results havent been too bad.

[canonnoob]

Alright, as promised, I said i would post some new examples of what I am going to try and keep doing each week for basketball, Ill probably do some sort of small change here and there, but this will probably be the big change overall.

See the first post for what I had be doing!

I changed the prior design a bit halfway through last season when I decided to move the light on the left to the opposite side of the court. That worked out well for what I wanted but would get glare and flare issues.

now, here is the change. I moved the lights closer to the wall on the side that I am shooting on. Until I buy some LTRs for my b800s I will probably do this. (If you have LTRs and have an opinion about them please pm me. Im interested in hearing what people have to say.)

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v15/p761293086-4.jpg

I clamped one light to my left in the photo above, on the cage for a speaker in the gym. The light is about 10 ft up off the court and at the line for the bleachers. The b800 is safety cabled through the umbrella hole with two safety cables and clamped to the cage.

http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/s1/v20/p599595730-4.jpg

The issue of this type mounting is that it does not give the widest beam of light on the wall, however, it does work. I will work on finding another way to get a better spread for this light.

The light to the right of me in the photo above is clamped to the top row of bleachers on the right. The school administration does not allow people to sit on that top row so it makes that mounting that much easier. this light is in line with the baseline.

Pros:
- no glare issues
- better light spread
- more appealing photos

Cons:
-Slightly uneven coverage of the floor- baseline is a bit hotter than the top of the key. Anything past half court is pushing the spread- which is fine for me.
- having to safety cable to that cage each game will be tedious but it has to be done.

There is probably a better way to do this, but I might experiment with the LTRs and go with my original placement with a strobe on both sides of the court.
So that is my new set up, for now. If you have any questions, pm me or email me.


See examples here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=968449
*Notice the glare issue in number 2- that is from the old set up*

Thanks.

[canonnoob]

For those interested. I ordered some LTRs today so we will see what happens.

[mestes]

I have yet to use mine the 7 inch ones you get with the bees seem to be doing the job for now.

[canonnoob]

I have yet to use mine the 7 inch ones you get with the bees seem to be doing the job for now.

all depends on the gym and the distance of the bees to the walls, unfortunately, if I place the strobes back to half court like I have been doing, using the 11" LTR would be the best.

[mestes]

I am only doing it in one gym as that is the only place I have the ok first and I rarely cover road games

[canonnoob]

Update: just got the LTR tonight so i will give it go tomorrow and will have new set up photos ready for everyone to look at.

[ZXDrew]

Feel like updating this with new photos?

[canonnoob]

Feel like updating this with new photos?

Sure:

To show the Spread:
http://Turfimage.zenfolio.com/img/s1/v19/p393715750-4.jpg

The Diagram shows the actual set up.

[ZXDrew]

Do the LTRs keep the flash out of the fans eyes? or is it just hitting them in the back of the head mostly?

[canonnoob]

eh, not quite. But I havent had anyone complain to me or the administration, so nothing I am going to do as of yet