High School Hockey (6 images) Comments and Criticism please.

[900spg]

Here are some shots from a high school hockey game between Missoula and Butte, MT. Comments and criticism wanted.
1.

2.
3.

4.

5.

6.

7.


All of the shots may be viewed HERE.

[dlpasco]

You've captured some nice action with these shots. It looks to me (and my uncalibrated LCD monitor) that a lot of details in the blacks are lost.

#5 - Had an interesting (animated?) debate with an official over a very similar play last week.

#6 - did that puck go in?

#7 - is he alright?

[iamaelephant]

3 and 5 are great, but 7 is an instant classic!

[Brikwall]

Originally Posted by dlpasco

It looks to me (and my uncalibrated LCD monitor) that a lot of details in the blacks are lost.

Ditto... (except my monitor is calibrated). Otherwise, good shots!

[900spg]

Originally Posted by dlpasco

You've captured some nice action with these shots. It looks to me (and my uncalibrated LCD monitor) that a lot of details in the blacks are lost.

#5 - Had an interesting (animated?) debate with an official over a very similar play last week.

#6 - did that puck go in?

#7 - is he alright?

I agree, I am losing detail in the darks. I need to work on that. I most likely will need to move to iso 3200 to be able to get the darks exposed better.

On #6 the puck did not go in. It was a great set of moves but I think he lost it at the end while trying to go to the backhand. On #7 both players were OK in that shot. It was a classic as they both were the hitters.

Originally Posted by iamaelephant

3 and 5 are great, but 7 is an instant classic!

Thanks, it was pretty impressive to see that player bowl over to opponents like that.

[poppie guy]

I clicked your link to jpsphotos. I liked shot 36 best out of this series of photos. Did the guy in the red jersey score on that play? A little flick of the wrist through the 5 hole looks like a good possibility.

[900spg]

Originally Posted by poppie guy

I clicked your link to jpsphotos. I liked shot 36 best out of this series of photos. Did the guy in the red jersey score on that play? A little flick of the wrist through the 5 hole looks like a good possibility.

I believe that the goalie made the save on that one but your right the 5 hole is open. Thanks for checking out all the shots.

[vpnd]

good shots a bit underexposed though.

[DavidEB]

great shots, timing & composition are perfect, good game captures.

regarding the blacks - I don't think the problem is with under-exposure. In most of the shots (except maybe #6) the ice is fully white or very close to it - so you can't increase the exposure without blowing out the whites. On the other hand, even with the bright ice, your faces & blacks are too dark. This makes me think that the contrast is set too high. I've come around to the idea that the problem with shooting hockey in crummy rinks is that the lights are directly above the ice, meaning it is fully illuminated, whereas the faces and other surfaces of interest are vertical, meaning they get less light shining on them. So at normal contrast ranges if you properly expose ice you'll underexpose darker parts of players, and if you properly expose the player face you'll likely overexpose the ice & boards.

For hockey, I shoot JPG with the contrast at -1 (mark IIn), that gives a little more dynamic range; then I try to adjust a little with curves.

[900spg]

Originally Posted by DavidEB

great shots, timing & composition are perfect, good game captures.

regarding the blacks - I don't think the problem is with under-exposure. In most of the shots (except maybe #6) the ice is fully white or very close to it - so you can't increase the exposure without blowing out the whites. On the other hand, even with the bright ice, your faces & blacks are too dark. This makes me think that the contrast is set too high. I've come around to the idea that the problem with shooting hockey in crummy rinks is that the lights are directly above the ice, meaning it is fully illuminated, whereas the faces and other surfaces of interest are vertical, meaning they get less light shining on them. So at normal contrast ranges if you properly expose ice you'll underexpose darker parts of players, and if you properly expose the player face you'll likely overexpose the ice & boards.

For hockey, I shoot JPG with the contrast at -1 (mark IIn), that gives a little more dynamic range; then I try to adjust a little with curves.

Very good explanation David. I'm going to have to look and see what I have the contrast set to on my camera and try moving it to -1. I would not be surprised at all if it is currently at +1. I agree with you about the lighting being completely from above. I'm anxious to do a little testing with this as I feel the solid black is an obstacle that I need to overcome. Thanks again for the info.

[dlpasco]

Keep us updated - I have similar problems as well as many others that are unique to me

[ajbalazic]

I think most of your shots are very well done. Great action captured here!

[900spg]

Originally Posted by dlpasco

Keep us updated - I have similar problems as well as many others that are unique to me

I did get a chance to see what the contrast was currently at and it was 0. I'm going to give a try at -1 and see how it helps hopefully this weekend but most likely not until next weekend.

[taygull]

Why not shoot raw and then you make the decisions instead of the camera....

[900spg]

Originally Posted by dlpasco

Keep us updated - I have similar problems as well as many others that are unique to me

Originally Posted by taygull

Why not shoot raw and then you make the decisions instead of the camera....

I shot a game on Friday night and tried a few different ideas including setting the camera at contrast -1 and shooting at iso 3200 trying to get a better original exposure. I have mixed feelings on the end results. I also shot sRaw to see how Raw could help but have looked at those much yet. The photos and info can be viewed in this thread.