Running Colors Abstract

[ImageMogul]

My elementary-aged son is playing basketball in a local league. I've been experimenting with some
slow-shutter action shots. This is a recent shot. 70mm, f16, 1/8sec.

http://imagemogul.smugmug.com/Other/Abstract-Experimental/Breaking2/788715183_UfJNw-L-1.jpg

Thanks for viewing. C&C always appreciated.

Regards,
Mark

[PBeeee]

It has a nice abstract feel. The cliche would be to have some of his face in focus. Maybe it would be interesting to have a sneaker or hand more in focus. I like the hand at the left edge of the frame, that is what is making me think about another idea for focus. It seems to me that this kind of stuff works best when either one item is sharp or when nothing is discernible, even less than you have here. Good idea to play around with. I like it.

[corkneyfonz]

This technique is more miss than hit. For a more defined shot try using a burst of fill in flash, whilst panning the camera but at 1/15sec, this should freeze more detail in your subject, whilst still blurring the background. Shoot plenty and you'll get some gems.

[drumsfield]

interesting

[recrisp]

I like it, I think it is more on the innovative side, its not what we see here every day, so it's more than interesting to me.
Personally, this can only be used sparingly the way I see it, over use and it can be as bad as selective color, and that is all just personal tastes for us all really.
This image I could see if hanging in your den maybe, along with other shots that are not like this, for your family, it'd be nice to see, I think.
Of course, it'd also be nice to have it all in focus where it counts, but I'm betting that your son, your wife, and the rest of the family knows it's him and likes it, that's what counts.

I think you did good, and this can only lead to other ways to express yourself, which you will no doubt miss some, but you will also win some too... :)

Randy

[chrisu002]

i dont know look like a mistake picture trying to be something its not

[corkneyfonz]

i dont know look like a mistake picture trying to be something its not

I applaud the OP for getting his effects in camera, it's what we used to call skill. His technique just needs a little honing that's all.

[ImageMogul]

Thank you all for you comments/suggestions thus far. I appreciate them all.
I haven't experimented with flash for these. I'll have to play with it and see
what happens. Some settings yield an effect very much like something that
has been painted (with no other post work other than some contrast/brightness
adjustments). A couple of shots made earlier (different teams obviously):

http://imagemogul.smugmug.com/People/Humans/FlashJPEG2/461139383_xGy7F-M-1.jpg

http://imagemogul.smugmug.com/People/Humans/Pursuit-jpg/461193060_wf9NS-M.jpg

It's been fun experimenting. I've been taking "traditional/natural" shots as
well, but its nice to have something totally different to work on.

Regards,
Mark

[PBeeee]

In your second set that first shot is just great. You are getting really great colors with gym lighting, I'm impressed.

[ImageMogul]

Thanks for the kind words, PBeee. It helped color-wise when I began setting white balance to "tungsten". Otherwise, I was getting quite a bluish cast.