Basketball shot at floor level, part 2

Here's a second attempt. I've tried to make the changes previously suggested.

C/C Welcome

The floor-level camera does´t work for me. It gives a perspective that makes everyone look abnormally tall. It´s probably a reason why I never see Protogs use a floor-mounted remote in basket like this

Two shots don't discourage me with low perspective. Not seeing the rest of the shots they look ok. Shooting in the low light under wonderful color is tough. Keep at it. Generally, your hit count will be lower in these situations.

ormathisen wrote in post #16691265
The floor-level camera does´t work for me. It gives a perspective that makes everyone look abnormally tall. It´s probably a reason why I never see Protogs use a floor-mounted remote in basket like this

Say what? Maybe not in Europe, but here in the states, its' very common to see floor remotes at any major college or pro level game. Check out any of the wire service coverage on a given Saturday and you're bound to see a floor remote shot.

The whole idea IS to emphasize the vertical aspect of the game. When executed properly, they make jumps look higher and make the athlete look more athletic. Floor remotes can also show more of the atmosphere. Here's one I got earlier this season that I think works well.

The last one works fine. There´s something about the perspective in the first ones... ok.. not repeating myself. Maybe not in Europe, no.. I remember I once asked a Getty Photographer during a match if he used a remote on the other side and said he only used high-mounted cameras as the floor-mounted ones does´t give good photos and standing on the floor they are quite exposed for damages.

ormathisen wrote in post #16691419
The last one works fine. There´s something about the perspective in the first ones... ok.. not repeating myself. Maybe not in Europe, no.. I remember I once asked a Getty Photographer during a match if he used a remote on the other side and said he only used high-mounted cameras as the floor-mounted ones does´t give good photos and standing on the floor they are quite exposed for damages.

I agree the perspective is a little off. Camera look to be too close to the action, and the crops don't help.

Floor remotes are lower percentage than say a post or backboard remote, but they are plenty capable of making good photos. If they didn't, then no-one would be using them at all, and especially not at the higher levels. Yes there is risk involved, and something will get broken eventually (I've only lost a lens hood) but that's part of the game in being a sports photographer.

abruckse wrote in post #16691398
Say what? Maybe not in Europe, but here in the states, its' very common to see floor remotes at any major college or pro level game. Check out any of the wire service coverage on a given Saturday and you're bound to see a floor remote shot.

The whole idea IS to emphasize the vertical aspect of the game. When executed properly, they make jumps look higher and make the athlete look more athletic. Floor remotes can also show more of the atmosphere. Here's one I got earlier this season that I think works well.

^^^^^
What this guy says.

wow...that arena shot really rocks.......never tried this myself with basketball but use regularly for soccer. must give it a go. it may not be a shot thats used regularly here, but certainly a different view and this image has inspired me to give it a try.

abruckse, that shot is just spectacular

Yup, Abruckse's shot rocks. I'm going to have to try this at the next HS game locally.

abruckse wrote in post #16691441
I agree the perspective is a little off. Camera look to be too close to the action, and the crops don't help.

Floor remotes are lower percentage than say a post or backboard remote, but they are plenty capable of making good photos. If they didn't, then no-one would be using them at all, and especially not at the higher levels. Yes there is risk involved, and something will get broken eventually (I've only lost a lens hood) but that's part of the game in being a sports photographer.

I think the problem may well be how close I am to the action. There's not much room at the end lines. I think I'll try in on court with more room and try to center it under the basket.

IMO, floor level wide shots only really work if the background/atmosphere is interesting as well. In the usual high school gyms that I work in (half filled, bare walls and ceilings, etc) I have an extremely hard time getting anything interesting. When you go wide, you shift to about 10% action in the frame and about 90% background, and if that background is ugly, it just isn't going to work. When I get a chance to work college or other games in larger stadiums, suddenly the shots start looking better.

The shot that Abruske posted above is fantastic. But take the exact same shot and action and move it to a small gym, and I guarantee it isn't nearly as effective.

I shoot about 3-4 basketball games a week, from prep school to NBA. I never use floor cameras in high school gyms. Mainly because the gyms are unattractive, they're not full of fans, and game play typically isn't at the more higher/exciting level.

In other words.... background, background, background! Noted.

I usually shoot with my 70-200 F2.8 from the corner but sometimes I'll get a wider angle zoom and sit down low on the floor just behind the basket just for a change of pace. I don't get the camera down on the floor but I get pretty low.

Here are a couple of shots. I have some better than this but they aren't on Flickr.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …15772304@N02/12​241355605/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …15772304@N02/12​241354625/