Paintball Shots *First Day Out*

[softreset]

I've been enrolled in a photography program at a local university, and for my midterm assignment it was "free subject of personal interest." So I opted for paintball as I've always been impressed with quality of photos I'd read in magazines and found here.

I consider myself a beginner and rented a 70-200mm f/4 L from an online place. I ended up with about 150 "good" photos out of over 1600 shots but had an absolute blast. I consider much of poor shooting to be attributed to the horror of damaging the $600 rental lens, I played for 8+ years so getting shot is par for the course.

In addition to learning photography and I'm also simultaneously teaching myself Light Room / Aperture so some of the post processing is pretty equally as "beginner."

Appreciate any/all insight.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDLzYaeAI/AAAAAAAAAHU/IBb4F2B5LUo/s640/CEPP022810-5424.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xD4Ul2gzI/AAAAAAAAAO8/AbEVpXwUU4Q/s720/CEPP022810-6218.jpg

[OldNick]

They look good enough to me. Good action shots and that guy running looks pretty desperate. I would probably crop that a bit, maybe to portrait, unless it's already a huge crop.

If I were to suggest anything (and this would be what I mutter to myself. I have not tried to photo paintball). Try to get a blurred background. It was a bright day and I don't know what ISO,. Aperture, and speed you were using, but that would be my only comment. It's not always easy, especially when you are a bit further away, to get a good blurred background.

in this case I suppose the background is part of the game, so it's not terrible If it's there.

[cccc]

I feel that the running subject is well enough isolated, but more blur is always welcomed.

[softreset]

I appreciate the feedback. That was definitely my biggest complaint from the full gallery, I didn't have very good background blur and subject isolation. I'm still learning the PP so I don't know how to include the relevant data in the file. But I did go into Lightroom and grab it.

120mm focal length
AV Priority Mode
Aperture - f/4.0
Shutter - 1/640 sec
ISO - 200

[Jimmyhickey]

Post some more? I generally like nice action and colors with unique and interesting angles. #1s composition is fine, but isn't really interesting other than that. The other shows some nice action.

[softreset]

Here you go! Let me know what you think. I enjoy your photos on PBN, Jimmy.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDFG1j-1I/AAAAAAAAAGI/7Duepiod_PQ/s640/CEPP022810-5324.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDPiWlLvI/AAAAAAAAAIA/syg9kcI_S9o/s640/CEPP022810-5496.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDVthc89I/AAAAAAAAAJE/uKDaT-AopnQ/CEPP022810-5589.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDWWD76RI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/vOkzP3t95Dg/CEPP022810-5614.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Bys2YDArpEw/S4xDyOj6z8I/AAAAAAAAAN0/rlcLFoal-Rk/s640/CEPP022810-6104.jpg

[OldNick]

I appreciate the feedback. That was definitely my biggest complaint from the full gallery, I didn't have very good background blur and subject isolation. I'm still learning the PP so I don't know how to include the relevant data in the file. But I did go into Lightroom and grab it.

120mm focal length
AV Priority Mode
Aperture - f/4.0
Shutter - 1/640 sec
ISO - 200

If you are at f4 then that's that. The only way would be to go to an F2.8 $$$. I use an f4 partly because of $$$ and also because of size and weight. but there is that limitation. However even then the difference between 2.8 and 4 is not huge.

As I said, for me the background is part of the subject here, And it's not terribly cluttered, such as a crowd at a race meet can be. Hah! I was just reading a post to a go-kart shot, where somebody said the crowd was good atmosphere. And it was.

If you give this forum the file at a larger pixel count of file size than it wants, it will resize and lose the exif. If you resize and Save As then make sure your software is set to keep EXIF. I do not use LR so I can't tell you how, but that is the trick, probably at Save As time.

[softreset]

Thanks for the tips, Nick.

Yeah, when I went through the decision process on the lens rental I wanted to pick something that financially made sense. This way, when (if) I fell in love with it I could also afford to actually own it. Considering my skill set, at this point in the process, the extra $600 to go to the 2.8 or even the IS just wasn't worth it. I figured worse case scenario is when I "got there" I could easily resell the F/4 when the time came at minimal loss.

[OldNick]

Not bad thinking. Lenses keep their value very well, and in particular 70-200. They are versatile and reasonably portable. And if this is the Canon L, the quality is the best you can get.

[BenJohnson]

Are these heavily cropped? Even at f/4, if you get some tight framing (without cropping) you can get some fairly blurred backgrounds. I definitely like to go for the close framing when I shoot paintball, but you need to mix in some full body shots to get all the action. I think the colors and exposure look good on these shots. Maybe try some more close up shots next time, and see how you like them.

[Mike Deep]

You're definitely off to a good start. One suggestion I can give is to go as low as possible for snake players. I usually go prone, but some guys like to do this thing where the camera is on the ground and they're leaned over sideways looking into it (I tend to have trouble keeping my horizons level if I do that, but you can get back up quicker).

Some other general advice for paintball (Not re: your photos, just some of my own experience):
-In Xball, listen to coaches so you can stay ahead of the tape player. This will let you stay ahead of him for the best shots and avoid a situation where you're receiving crossfire. Also avoid ~30 degree angles from the side planes of dorito bunkers, bounces will kill you here.
-Try and read where players will go off the break, also utilizing coaches if possible. If you have an idea where a player may go, you can set up the shot in advance and catch their slide/dive. Also good to be very low for these shots.
-Keep both eyes open so you can keep up with as much of the action on the field as possible.
-Mind whether a player has been noticed or had their position called out yet. Where you point the camera can influence the game. Most of the time this isn't an issue, especially with coaching.
-A Kata E-702 (http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=229&Version=Photo) may be your best friend. Very handy for protecting your camera and lens body without sacrificing mobility. Stops paintballs cold, protects your hands and keeps your camera clean. Requires modification to pass the VF through for best results (I can expand on this if you're interested).
-Canon makes a viewfinder extender EP-EX15 (http://www.adorama.com/CAEPEX152.html?searchinfo=EX-15) that most folks overlook. It extends the VF eye relief and reduces the size of the VF 30%. Normally this is undesirable, but for paintball photography it's very useful. Your mask extends the eye relief so much that it is not possible to see much of the frame through the VF at once - The extender alleviates this some.
-Filters are useful if you frequently need to clean debris/splatter/rain off your lens. They will offer zero impact protection against paintballs, however.

[softreset]

Are these heavily cropped? Even at f/4, if you get some tight framing (without cropping) you can get some fairly blurred backgrounds. I definitely like to go for the close framing when I shoot paintball, but you need to mix in some full body shots to get all the action. I think the colors and exposure look good on these shots. Maybe try some more close up shots next time, and see how you like them.

Ben,

They're pretty cropped, all of the originals are 3456 × 2304. Many were definitely pretty wide as I was a bit uncomfortable with the mask to viewfinder combo (my practice run in the apartment can never simulate the speed of a paintball game). In addition I'll definitely admit some trepidation in "getting in there" for fear of getting the rental lens damaged. I'll be better equipped/prepared next time I go there, the tournament was not only a "warm up" for the players but also for me. I played (NPPL & PSP) circuits so I'm certainly more than comfortable with getting shot, I've been on the receiving end of many a "finishers." I appreciate all your feedback, the overwhelming positive feedback I've gotten across the various forums really has been 'giddy' to stick with it.

You're definitely off to a good start. One suggestion I can give is to go as low as possible for snake players. I usually go prone, but some guys like to do this thing where the camera is on the ground and they're leaned over sideways looking into it (I tend to have trouble keeping my horizons level if I do that, but you can get back up quicker).

Mike, this is all fantastic advice... I appreciate it very much. There were a few other more seasoned photographers there and many of them were definitely getting "down and dirty." I'll agree that especially on snake side I needed to get down there with the player. I tried to stay pretty mobile but towards the end of the day I found myself more stationary trying to get the slide/dive shots. I had the luxury of having the entire event on the same field so by the quarters I knew where all the hot spots were to get the shot.

I'll drop you a PM to chat further, your photos are fantastic and I'd definitely like to pick your brain further.

[Michael15]

I think those look great! I don't know anything about paintball but I do agree that there could be more action in the pics as I think jimmyhickey posted. Best of all is your getting some excellent advice!! Good luck and keep posting up ur shots!!

[JJNPRODUCTIONS]

Yea, what ive read is you need to stay low to the ground. Ive done a few paintball tournaments and thats what sells. YOu are off to a very nice start, paintbal is one of the most nerveracking to shoot as well, because for you to get "usually" the better shots, your in the lanes that these players are dumping. I really like most of them, and the one where the gentleman is bunkering the kid, to me is a lil oof