Some Roller Derby Action

So I have always shot Roller Derby with on camera flash. This time I tried OCF. I set up an 8:1 ratio with my main Camera left and the fill on camera. I think I have a new style for shooting derby now. I was using the canon wireless system. As soon as I get a second Odin receiver I'll probably go to using that, but then again the canon system works so well indoors that I might just keep using it. C&C please.

Oh, and ya I cut off the skates a few times. I need to back up as the 70 on my 70-200 is a bit too close.

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sempaidavid wrote in post #13713751
Oh, and ya I cut off the skates a few times. I need to back up as the 70 on my 70-200 is a bit too close.

Nooooooooooooooo! Stay tight.

I'd put both flashes off-camera, one to each side to get a bit more even lighting and less hotspots on the face. I'd also dial the flash down a bit. Great shots, though.

Some great images there, I like how you have shot from a VERY low angle and the wireless looks to have worked very well in a biggish venue.

Fligi7 wrote in post #13715100
I'd put both flashes off-camera, one to each side to get a bit more even lighting and less hotspots on the face. I'd also dial the flash down a bit. Great shots, though.

Thanks for the reply. I have to ask though, other than create cross-shadows(which I hate), what would taking my fill off camera do? I setup a 8:1 ratio because I didn't want even lighting. I also fail to see how moving the fill off axis would help with hot spots. Everything that I have ever read or been told has stressed that fill should always be on axis with the camera.

whiteflyer wrote in post #13715169
Some great images there, I like how you have shot from a VERY low angle and the wireless looks to have worked very well in a biggish venue.

I always shoot from the floor in the crash zone. I like that perspective as well.

Zivnuska wrote in post #13714019
Nooooooooooooooo! Stay tight.

Funny, I kind of feel the same. I often hear people complain that they need to see the skates for context though. I get it.

sempaidavid wrote in post #13715221
Thanks for the reply. I have to ask though, other than create cross-shadows(which I hate), what would taking my fill off camera do? I setup a 8:1 ratio because I didn't want even lighting. I also fail to see how moving the fill off axis would help with hot spots. Everything that I have ever read or been told has stressed that fill should always be on axis with the camera.

I'm not saying you're wrong or right on what you're doing in trying to achieve the look you're after, I'm saying what I would do to create more even lighting and get rid of the hotter spots on the faces. But, if that's what you were going for, then it's no matter.

Fill light doesn't have to be on-axis. You're getting hotspots because your fill light is combining with your main, rather that just illuminating the shadows the main is causing. So you either need to dial down the flashes or move the fill off-axis to get a better ratio (assuming a situation where you want more even lighting).

Fligi7 wrote in post #13715300
I'm not saying you're wrong or right on what you're doing in trying to achieve the look you're after, I'm saying what I would do to create more even lighting and get rid of the hotter spots on the faces. But, if that's what you were going for, then it's no matter.

Fill light doesn't have to be on-axis. You're getting hotspots because your fill light is combining with your main, rather that just illuminating the shadows the main is causing. So you either need to dial down the flashes or move the fill off-axis to get a better ratio (assuming a situation where you want more even lighting).

Thanks. I guess I don't really see the hot spots, but what you are saying makes sense. Just so I am clear, can you point out which shot shows the worst hot spot.

The ones that stick out to me are the hot spots on the cheeks in pictures 4 and 5. It could be my monitor here as well. I'm no flash expert, either, so just making an observation based on what I'm seeing that I might do differently.

Fligi7 wrote in post #13715434
The ones that stick out to me are the hot spots on the cheeks in pictures 4 and 5. It could be my monitor here as well. I'm no flash expert, either, so just making an observation based on what I'm seeing that I might do differently.

Thanks, I see it now. This is why I love this forum. I never would have noticed that. In Truth, for this kind of shooting I think it is no big deal. I do, However, appreciate the opportunity to critically examine my shots.

Great quality stuff there David.

I've shot RD once and lighting was not easy. These look really good to me.

Thanks Guys.

sempaidavid wrote in post #13715226
I always shoot from the floor in the crash zone. I like that perspective as well.

Yes!!!