High Schooll Basketball - One (1) Strobe ;-)

[dwarrenr]

Went and shot this last weekend at Park Tudor. Their point guard (#11) has committed to to play for Indiana University next year.

Any way, this is a tiny gym. Only has enough room to setup a strobe on one side of the court. The AB1600 was mounted on a 16' stand. Thus I had to shoot on the same side and that was where the cheerleaders were, so I was along side line by the corner of the base line. Images still turned out ok, but not a good angle at all.

[dmwierz]

D-

These look really hot to me. There is reduced detail in the white uniforms. Plus, your watermark is very intrusive and ruins the shots for me.

As for the images, here are my thoughts:
1: Timing too late - where's the ball?
2: Improved, but would be even better a fraction of a second earlier, so we could see more face of the shooter, or maybe taken from closer to the base line.
3: The image isn't anything special unless you're thinking about the guy falling in front of the ball handler. Again being on the base line would improve the shot by maximizing the players coming/looking at you.
4: OK, but what makes this particular tip-off worthy of a photo?
5: Meh. This instant probably happened many times in the course of the game. If you're looking for an isolation shot of number 11, you need to ensure nobody is behind him in the background.

Hope this helps.

[dwarrenr]

Thanks Dennis. Can't really argue your points. Baseline was not an option unless I wanted to shoot into the strobe.

[Familiaphoto]

I agree with Dennis' comments. The ambient also seems a bit under exposed as well.

[bobbyz]

For me these shots got too much DOF.

BTW - Was the strobe bounced or direct?

[dwarrenr]

Familiaphoto-What do you mean the ambient also seems a bit under exposed?

bobbyz-It was direct.

[wyofizz]

A lot of shadows on the back wall.
I would reduce the f stop.
Is the ceiling light enough to bounce off from?

[dwarrenr]

Nope. The ceiling had some sort of spray on insulation and very uneven. I tried to bounce at first but got a lot of splotches. Almost just packed every thing up and go home but figured I was there and try to make a go with it with one strobe. Settings were mostly ISO 400 at f/3. Since the exposure was all over the place depending where the subject with respect to the strobe thinking I should have shot in Tv mode rather then manual and let the camera pick the aperture.

[bobbyz]

I never tried it but wouldn't the uneven celing make the bounced light more unfirorm?

Also how would Tv mode help if you shooting with strobes. Camera doesn't know you got Alien Bees?

[Cozmocha]

What power % are you using the strobe at?

[dmwierz]

Warren,

FWIW, my experience with bouncing off sprayed on insulation is that it does OK, actually serving to even out the reflected light.

Since the exposure was all over the place depending where the subject with respect to the strobe thinking I should have shot in Tv mode rather then manual and let the camera pick the aperture.

If I were to choose a program mode, it would be Av, however Av/Tv will get fooled a lot by the variable light and you may end up disappointed in the results. I'd suggest you shoot M and adjust your exposure manually on the fly. Spin whichever wheel is most convenient to change SS or aperture based on you light measurements over the court. If you have a light meter, this is easier to determine, but you can also establish proper

[dwarrenr]

Sorry guys the switching to Tv mode was sarcasm. I forgot to add a after it.

I could have tried adjusting the exposure manually, but I don't think I would have been fast enough. Each step towards the side line would have required an adjustment.

If IRC the strobes were set between 1/4 and 1/2 power.

The spray on insulation must have been sprayed on very wet, as it looked like 3" stalactites hanging off the ceiling.

Anyway, thanks for all the comments. Don't ever plan on going back to that venue, but if I do I keep all the comments in mind and get there a couple of hours early.

[10megapixel]

These look great, there is always room for improvement but for the most part they are good shots. I know that shooting in a gymnasium is a nightmare and you have done a fine job here. The WB is good and you have nice crisp, clear, stop-action shots. Most importantly imo, you have captured full-body shots of the players in action and not cut off feet and arms, or zoomed in too close.

Ignore the watermark comments, I totally understand. I had kids and parents ripping off my pictures from the net until I did the same thing. I for one can see through the watermark here to tell you that your work looks fine and parents would really like it

[dwarrenr]

Thanks 10! I see you are just one county from me. LOL I'm from Shelby County. My father had a couple of business in Greensburg (Links, Ford Abstract and he built the Taco Bell).

Have a great day!

Warren

[10megapixel]

Originally Posted by dwarrenr

Thanks 10! I see you are just one county from me. LOL I'm from Shelby County. My father had a couple of business in Greensburg (Links, Ford Abstract and he built the Taco Bell).

Have a great day!

Warren

I'm about 5 blocks from Links (They shut it down a couple months ago for illegal gambling... again )