Last night's football frenzy...

[gmen]

A few shots from last night's pre-season friendly football action. As you will see there was a huge attendance at this tussle! I have of course included the now obligatory goal shot (image #6)...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df001.jpg

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df005.jpg

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df006.jpg

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df004.jpg

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df002.jpg

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/df003.jpg

[Sathi]

Damn, I wish I could take pictures like that. Great shots

[Incomplete Pete]

*jealous*

Took my 1D MkII out for a shoot at the friendly between Leicester and Celtic, shooting for the fun of it, but the MkII wasn't focussing right at all, ALL my shots were out of focus or very very very soft, far from recoverable. Off to Canon ASAP!

[QUASIPHOTO]

As usually gmen bloody amazing!!!!
Please tell me you PS the crap out of all your photos so I know there is some hope for me. How do you get everything so sharp and crisp and vibrant?

[gmen]

*jealous*

Took my 1D MkII out for a shoot at the friendly between Leicester and Celtic, shooting for the fun of it, but the MkII wasn't focussing right at all, ALL my shots were out of focus or very very very soft, far from recoverable. Off to Canon ASAP!

Thanks Pete! I read your thread on ss.com about your focus issues - it looks like you're not the only person to have experienced problems with the MkII. I hope that Canon can sort it out for you. The other place to try if you need a fast turnaround is Fixation (www.fixationuk.com) as Canon are a bit slow at the moment (allegedly). Fixation are a CPS authorised centre and will carry out warranty work for Canon as well - they are top notch and will generally turn your gear round in a week or less.

--- Gavin

[gmen]

As usually gmen bloody amazing!!!!
Please tell me you PS the crap out of all your photos so I know there is some hope for me. How do you get everything so sharp and crisp and vibrant?
Thanks QuasiPhoto - much appreciated!

No secrets really... for football, the key factors are:

1. Shoot wide open - absolute minimum DOF is vital.
2. Nail the exposure - shoot in manual as far as possible, preferably using a handheld meter for a base reading.
3. Carefully select your focus point(s) - register another useful focus point so that you can change easily on the fly.
4. Try to read the game and anticipate the action.

Er... that's about it.

Then in PS, generally it's just tweaking levels/contrast and applying my unsharp mask settings for the web. I may add a hint of saturation at the higher ISOs.

Hope that helps a bit.

--- Gavin

[awp]

AWESOME!!!

[DwightMcCann]

These guys are more brutal than a mosh pit! Utterly grand images!

[gmen]

These guys are more brutal than a mosh pit! Utterly grand images!
Dwight... this was just a 'friendly' match :rolleyes:

[QUASIPHOTO]

Thanks gmen!!! advice taken, logged, and will study and practice to death.
You are the master!!

[DwightMcCann]

Gmen, if I ever come back home from the Colonies you'll have to take me out to what football is really about! I will be shooting a ShowTime boxing match on Friday night (I keep mentioning this, I know) and hope to post over the weekend ... based on the first two I shot I don't think they are any more brutal than your boys "friendly" game!

[gmen]

Gmen, if I ever come back home from the Colonies you'll have to take me out to what football is really about! I will be shooting a ShowTime boxing match on Friday night (I keep mentioning this, I know) and hope to post over the weekend ... based on the first two I shot I don't think they are any more brutal than your boys "friendly" game!
Dwight.... I'd be more than happy to accompany you to a football match if you're ever over in the UK... I will provide the protective clothing as well. I'll look forward to your boxing pics... I've not shot boxing for a few weeks now and I know that your images will make me hungry to shoot some more - bring 'em on!

---- Gavin

[DwightMcCann]

You mean the photogs need protective gear????? Hmmm, maybe the Colonies are safer! As we speak I am getting ready to break out my new 20D and load software on my laptop so I can use it to do timelapse of the boxing ring setup tomorrow morning from the spotlight platforms. Last time I tried it with the Fuji but the laptop froze after 23 hours. I just sold my two Nikkor wide angles this morning (at last ... will be eBaying all other Nikon stuff soon) which is forcing me to use the 20D with my 16-35mm, I hope, for this purpose. I'm also going to approach the prodcution manager for Gary Shaw Productions, who run the event for ShowTime at the casino, about putting the 20D on the lighting rig and shooting down on top of the ring using a wireless remote at an event in the future. We'll see!

Say, got any boxing tips? So far I know that I'm going to get spattered with sweat and blood so take a rag to wipe off the lens and watch out if one of the boxers starts to come over the ropes on top of you. :)

Here's an image of the ring from the last match I shot in which you can see the lighting rig attached to the ceiling in the background:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ChumashBoxing04222005/SB2612-1000.jpg

[gmen]

Say, got any boxing tips? So far I know that I'm going to get spattered with sweat and blood so take a rag to wipe off the lens and watch out if one of the boxers starts to come over the ropes on top of you. :)
[/center]
The best boxing advice I've ever read... see Mr Hanashiro's post in this thread: http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=8445

And for recent inspiration, try this one: http://www.sportsshooter.com/news_story.html?id=1422

Good luck with the timelapse stuff... sounds fascinating...

--- Gavin

[DwightMcCann]

Brilliant articles! Great information! My two matches I shot with Tom Casino, ShowTime's boxing still photographer, next to me. He's won a lot of awards and seems to know what he's about. However, he shoots with a 1D Mark II (as do I) at ISO 400, which I thought was unnecessarily slow. It was nice to read that someone else thinks so and shoots at ISO 1000, which I will use Friday. Also, Tom shoots only with his 28-70mm f2.8, while I was switching back and forth between my 24-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 IS, to do exactly as mentioned one of the articles ... grab close ups between rounds. Reading these two articles makes me feel as though I have pretty good judgment after all and just because someone has a big name doesn't mean they're perfect, right, infallible or even talented. I will be shooting with my elbows on the mat! Maybe somebody will sponsor me to Sportshooter if I do a good job, eh?

[Incomplete Pete]

Thanks Pete! I read your thread on ss.com about your focus issues - it looks like you're not the only person to have experienced problems with the MkII. I hope that Canon can sort it out for you. The other place to try if you need a fast turnaround is Fixation (www.fixationuk.com) as Canon are a bit slow at the moment (allegedly). Fixation are a CPS authorised centre and will carry out warranty work for Canon as well - they are top notch and will generally turn your gear round in a week or less.

--- Gavin

Yea, I'm due to drop my MkII along with lenses off at Fixation next week, get them all calibrated etc., hopefully it will solve the problem.

Incidentally, have you had any issues with your MkII?

[DwightMcCann]

Incomplete, I have updated the firmware in my MkII three times but have not had any issues to date although I did have one of the bad Lexar cards that I had to send back. Thank you for the warning that some issues may exist.

[Hydro]

Gavin---outstanding shots as always. And I have to add that your helpful advice has allowed me to improve my football shots quite a bit. I still struggle a bit at full wide open, ......been getting best stuff at 3.2 or 4.0. The DOF seems a little too reduced for me at 2.8, and if there are two players battling for the ball shoulder to shoulder, sometimes one of them is OOF. Maybe the focal length is too close. But I continue to practice.

Question for you. Do you use a monopod, or do you shoot handheld?

Thanks,

RICK

[gmen]

Brilliant articles! Great information! My two matches I shot with Tom Casino, ShowTime's boxing still photographer, next to me. He's won a lot of awards and seems to know what he's about. However, he shoots with a 1D Mark II (as do I) at ISO 400, which I thought was unnecessarily slow. It was nice to read that someone else thinks so and shoots at ISO 1000, which I will use Friday. Also, Tom shoots only with his 28-70mm f2.8, while I was switching back and forth between my 24-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 IS, to do exactly as mentioned one of the articles ... grab close ups between rounds. Reading these two articles makes me feel as though I have pretty good judgment after all and just because someone has a big name doesn't mean they're perfect, right, infallible or even talented. I will be shooting with my elbows on the mat! Maybe somebody will sponsor me to Sportshooter if I do a good job, eh?
Good luck with the boxing Dwight... glad you found the links interesting! I think I expressed some surprise when you first told me in an earlier thread that Mr Casino was shooting at ISO400 - my thoughts were that the lighting must have been astonishingly good! ISO1000 on the MkII will still give an excellent result suitable for publication - I've shot boxing at both ISO1000 and ISO1250 and been very pleased with the results.

The last time I shot a fight I used two bodies both with primes attached - 50mm f/1.4 on one, 135mm f/2L on the other. The combo of 24-70 (or 28-70) and 70-200 is also ideal.

Looking forward to seeing your shots! I'm sure ss.com membership is just round the corner!

--- Gavin

[gmen]

Incidentally, have you had any issues with your MkII?
No major issues - I did have one card fail on me during a football match (not a Lexar) but I eventually put that down to the card rather than the camera. I have given my MkII a serious battering and pushed it to its limits on many occasions - it's usually up to the job. When it isn't, I put that down to me asking too much of it rather than the camera's capabilities!

I'm sure the guys at Fixation will iron out your AF problem and you'll be happily shooting again.

--- Gavin

[gmen]

Gavin---outstanding shots as always. And I have to add that your helpful advice has allowed me to improve my football shots quite a bit. I still struggle a bit at full wide open, ......been getting best stuff at 3.2 or 4.0. The DOF seems a little too reduced for me at 2.8, and if there are two players battling for the ball shoulder to shoulder, sometimes one of them is OOF. Maybe the focal length is too close. But I continue to practice.

Question for you. Do you use a monopod, or do you shoot handheld?

Thanks,

RICK
Cheers Rick. Pleased to hear that some of my waffling has come in handy!

I shoot most field sports using a my 300mm on a monopd as I'm usually perched on my stool and not moving about the pitch. For speedway, I shoot with the 300mm handheld so I can roam the track quickly without excess clutter and pan the tight bends more easily.

I never use a monopod if I'm shooting with the 70-200mm. That lens is generally attached to a second body and is only used if the action gets very close. I need to be able to pick it up in a hurry so less is more!

--- Gavin

[Cadwell]

Thanks Pete! I read your thread on ss.com about your focus issues - it looks like you're not the only person to have experienced problems with the MkII. I hope that Canon can sort it out for you. The other place to try if you need a fast turnaround is Fixation (www.fixationuk.com) as Canon are a bit slow at the moment (allegedly). Fixation are a CPS authorised centre and will carry out warranty work for Canon as well - they are top notch and will generally turn your gear round in a week or less.

--- Gavin

Canon turned my 1D Mark II body round in 4 days a month or so back under CPS. They took ages on the 100-400L lens though.

[Claire]

Great shots. I tried taking some decent football shots yesterday. Personally I think majority of mine sucked big time. :( Wasn't standing at a very good position either I have a feeling.

[Croasdail]

Wait a second - Boxing... very cool. I have never shot that. I am heading to NYC tomorrow for meetings and was planning on picking up a canon 85 f1.8 while there... would this lens do for that sport or need longer - or perhaps fisheye.. that would be cool. I just contacted a local Boxing Club and will most likely be shooting their next Tourney..... way off this thread but since were rambling.... Gavin?.... Dwight? anyone else experienced with this? The club also has Fencing and some of the Asian martial arts too...

[gmen]

Wait a second - Boxing... very cool. I have never shot that. I am heading to NYC tomorrow for meetings and was planning on picking up a canon 85 f1.8 while there... would this lens do for that sport or need longer - or perhaps fisheye.. that would be cool. I just contacted a local Boxing Club and will most likely be shooting their next Tourney..... way off this thread but since were rambling.... Gavin?.... Dwight? anyone else experienced with this? The club also has Fencing and some of the Asian martial arts too...
Take a look at these two links for some boxing advice:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=8445
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news_story.html?id=1422

Some of my boxing work can be seen here: www.tgsphoto.co.uk/boxing - All the shots are taken with the 50mm f/1.4... hope they are of interest.

I did shoot some fencing recently, all with the 85mm f/1.8 I recall. They're not exactly earth-shattering as I was just trying to get some portrait style pics of one particular fencer, but the pics are here anyway: www.tgsphoto.co.uk/steve_hyman

[Croasdail]

Thanks Gavin.... tons of help. Just contacted a second club, I think some real good opportunities are going to come from this, now I just need to deliver on them. Fencing.... no faces... hmmmmm. Thats an interesting twist. I have to think about that one. Thanks again.

[peteog]

Incomplete Pete, are you going to the Walkers Stadium to do the Leicester vs Inter game on Monday?

[DwightMcCann]

Gmen, your boxing pictures are inspirational! A few of mine from the last event are at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/ShoBox04222005.htm.

I got a chance to talk with the promoters, producers, and ShowTime people and they are OK with whatever I want to do. I touched base with the lighting truss contractor and they, too, want to help me mount an overhead camera at a future fight ... I don't have enough equipment to do the timelapse and overhead camera at the same time so it'll probably be next calendar year. The lighting guys would really like to have a timelapse movie of their setup as a marketing aid I think so they have a vested interest. I also found out the casino is going to redo their entire seating setup for some events with some sort of elevated seats and I got an inkling that they think they can get a deal if they get a good timelapse of the setup of the seating infrastructure to trade back to the company. I hope I'm not boring you guys or stealing the thread from Gmen ... if so, I apologize in advance ... it is just quite amazing how things seem to be coming together for me.

I managed to get in on the tail end of "weigh in" and to chat up a few different people to get a sense of what goes on ... I learn a huge amount at each event and always introduce myself to everyone and ask a lot of questions. I was about to take a shot of the last guy to weigh in when I realized that he had stripped down stark naked in order to make his weight!!! I decided to err on the side of caution so I lowered my camera as unobtrusively as possible and left it out of sight until he got his skivvies back on.

The boxing starts tomorrow at about 5:30PM and will probably run until around 10:00PM. If I think of anything else before then I'll let you guys know. Thanks again!

[emurph2]

Way to capture the action!! These are GREAT.