Scott Kelby shoots Ice Hockey

skelby wrote in post #14503392
The wire service knew in advance that I had never shot a hockey game (I warned them up front) and they asked me to do it anyway since everyone has a first game of shooting every sport. I share all my experiences shooting on my blog, even the bad ones, as a learning tool, and you can see from the comments it was appreciated.

My question to you is: why would you spend your time on forums criticizing other photographers? Does it make you feel better about your own photography?

Oh yeah, by the way, I spend my time on forums giving advice because that's how I learned. I don't think I've ever criticized others work without giving a reason behind it. (If I have then accept my apologies).

There's no reason to tell people their photos look good if they don't. It does them no good.

skelby wrote in post #14503392
The wire service knew in advance that I had never shot a hockey game (I warned them up front) and they asked me to do it anyway since everyone has a first game of shooting every sport. I share all my experiences shooting on my blog, even the bad ones, as a learning tool, and you can see from the comments it was appreciated.

My question to you is: why would you spend your time on forums criticizing other photographers? Does it make you feel better about your own photography?

So I've been taking a look at your blog and see that the initial blog is just that and that you track your progress throughout the season.

Since reading that, I take back my comment because you clearly show steps you took to overcome that.

Perhaps you should link to the follow-ups in the initial post?

skelby wrote in post #14503007
Michael: It's always nice hearing from a pro like yourself.

Here's a link to my football portfolio:

http://portfolio.scott​kelby.com/gallery/foot​ball/

Of course, it's no Robertsdale vs Fairhope JV football (nice shots by the way), but as you pointed out, I'm truly unprofessional.

-Scott

You should be better than this. At your level of exposure and status within the industry, you should not stoop down to seeing who's is bigger on a forum. You are too good for that.

skelby wrote in post #14503374
Nice Try Andrew.

LOL!

-Scott

Thanks! Always glad to give constructive criticism and help people improve

primoz wrote in post #14498803
Maybe I'm missing something, but what's so special with all this?

xchangx wrote in post #14499731
Exactly, in fact it just shows that he wasn't prepared and gave Southcreek a bunch of worthless images.

I thought the fact about the lighting in the arena is special... especially living in the city that has reportedly the darkest arena in the NHL (local PJ's words, not mine).

And not trying to defend Scott or his images here, but I thought reading about the experience was enlightening to me. I'm not a pro sports shooter but I would like to get there. If this doesn't help the pro shooters on the forum, then by all means skip the thread and blog post.

Can someone fill me in on who this fella is? Is he a famous photographer? A legend?

You guys are acting like he's a god thats buggered up....but all i see is a mediocre photographer who's resorting to name calling and isn't real good at blogging.

I could Google him I guess, but i think he does enough of that himself

It's one thing not to like a fellow photogs work. It's another to point out ever flaw a person has made, it's also another thing to come off as arrogant in either displaying your work or reviewing the works of other (what one person may see as helpful, the other may not).

Regardless, everyone has a opinion. Stop taking this too seriously. If you do or don't like the photos it really won't matter, because there is someone with an opposite opinion as yourself.

And if a person is truly professional, critiques for or against a body of work should be all to common and brushed off anyway.

angryman wrote in post #14503898
Can someone fill me in on who this fella is? Is he a famous photographer? A legend?

You guys are acting like he's a god thats buggered up....but all i see is a mediocre photographer who's resorting to name calling and isn't real good at blogging.

I could Google him I guess, but i think he does enough of that himself

I wouldn't say a god, but my main beef was the fact that he blog about something that didn't seem professional and acted like it was ok. However, since he blogged about his progress then I'm ok with that.

As for his photography, he's not the strongest sports photographer, but he does seem to have a good grasp on lighting.

xchangx wrote in post #14503257
That's fine and dandy, and your portfolio is nice. Just not sure why you wold blog about being completely unprepared for a gig.

xchangx wrote in post #14505153
I wouldn't say a god, but my main beef was the fact that he blog about something that didn't seem professional and acted like it was ok. However, since he blogged about his progress then I'm ok with that.

As for his photography, he's not the strongest sports photographer, but he does seem to have a good grasp on lighting.

I'm curious to know then, how you rate your own sports photography. I've had a number of folks look at your sports shots, and I've got their opinions, so I'm anxious to hear where you rate yours (though I think I have an idea based on your comments).

skelby wrote in post #14505230
I'm curious to know then, how you rate your own sports photography. I've had a number of folks look at your sports shots, and I've got their opinions, so I'm anxious to hear where you rate yours (though I think I have an idea based on your comments).

I would by no means call myself a good sports photographer, but I push myself to get better and better. I've only been doing this for around 2 1/2 years and I feel that I've made good strides getting to where I'm at.

But yeah, I shoot highschool stuff. So what? I make a decent amount of money from that. I shoot pro and college stuff as well. It's just that doesn't bring in the money that the local stuff brings in.

But, hey you're shooting NFL. You shooting for Zuma Press now since Southcreek went under?

xchangx wrote in post #14505330
I would by no means call myself a good sports photographer....

Yet somehow you feel perfectly qualified to judge other's work in online forums.

skelby wrote in post #14505350
Yet somehow you feel perfectly qualified to judge other's work in online forums.

Why yes I do.

skelby wrote in post #14505230
I'm curious to know then, how you rate your own sports photography. I've had a number of folks look at your sports shots, and I've got their opinions, so I'm anxious to hear where you rate yours (though I think I have an idea based on your comments).

Now that I've answered your question, let me throw it back to you.

How do you rate your own work?

skelby wrote in post #14505350
Yet somehow you feel perfectly qualified to judge other's work in online forums.

So according to you you have to be a master at a craft before you can critique it? So you hate sports announcers and coaches who never actually played the game? If what makes a good sports photo are several technically quantifiable standards then you don't have to be able to make a good photo yourself to judge one. A good solid action shot isn't some self interpreted opinion on beauty and aesthetics, it's really quite simple:

1) is it in focus?
2) face?
3) ball (or applicable game accessory)
4) is there a "moment" (catch, play at home, action taking place, not stuff like warmups or standard pre-game)
5) is it cropped well? (no cut off limbs, random dead space etc.)
6) is your background clean?

If you've met those there's a good chance you have a decent sports shot. Don't be offended because people pointed out that you aren't the best sports shooter, take that critique and use it to grow. Your whole success has been built around teaching people, take a second to be a student instead of belittling others with your own assumed greatness.

It's a shame you guys resort to this. I just joined and you have a really good forum named "Sports Talk". I click on it and what's one of the first things I see? This. You know what sucks more. You're hammering a guy that has taught me personally WAY more about sports photography than it seems I'll learn here. His work and photography are what got me searching the web for more on sports.

For starters, the first 7-8 posts in this thread say pretty mean things about Scott. Who wouldn't come in and feel they have to say something. Especially when I look through most of your portfolios. When I compare the guys that are saying something like "Well lets be honest, Kelby isn't really the greatest photographer in the first place." against Scott's portfolio I have to tell ya - I'd take Scott's shots any day over theirs.

If Scott was upset (and I'd be upset too - I think we all would right?), it's probably because he has guys who's images aren't half as good as his, taking shots at him here. You're not (well most of you that is) critiquing here... you're not giving constructive advice... you're not teaching anything. This thread very quickly (read the first 10 posts) turned into a "bash-Scott" thread fast.
ARich - you're probably the worst of this. You wrote that nasty comment to start with. Out of the nowhere and not provoked by anything. Then you tell the guy to "take the critique and use it to grow" and "take a second to be a student instead". Really? Just because you wrote a list of your personal thoughts on his photos. After looking through your gallery I'm not sure you look qualified to give that critique. Looking at the two of your photos (scotts and yours), there's really no comparison on who's the better sports photographer and who should be giving advice.

And Im' sure you'll come back and tell me why I'm wrong. You seem to need to have the last word. Just let it die. Remember, you started this ARich with a nasty comment - not Scott.