ShowTime Boxing from March 3rd, 2006

Superdiver, thanks ... it is an experience!

Quasi, the first time I got sprayed I went right to the boxing commission representative and asked about the danger. He said that in California it is very safe as they test continuously, but that it is not a good idea to shoot from the mat in the Southeastern United States ... if there you will notice that all the officials wear latex gloves! And it appears true. Besides, I was a lab tech during the Vietnam war and have already been exposed to God Knows What and I don't worry about it any more ... I am fairly careful, I just do not worry.

ee, that was the wimpy girls punch ... here is the "real deal" from that bout:

Absolutely outstanding shots! One question. Which focus point did you use? Unless you focus off-centered, i.e., focus on one boxer with the center focus point, you would have to use a focus point other then the center one.

Amorous, I switch focus points almost continuously. In fact, because I normally use spot metering for my Live Entertainment, which reduces the number of active AF points, but I want them all for this work, I am trying to remember to change that setting before these events ... so far I have managed it just for this event!

Oh, ouch!! Don't get me wrong. I'm all for girls doin' what ever thier little hearts desire. I'm a girlie heating and a/c tech! I just don't get boxing.

But I *do* like your shots (through squinted eyes ).

Beth

ee, yes, I tend to squint a lot while I'm shooting this stuff ... keeps the blood and sweat out of my eyes!

Dwight,

Just saw the first shot in The Boxing News today...nice job, just personal preference, but I'd like to see it cropped a bit tighter, but again just my personal style, congrats on the publication of it...

Ed

Ed, I don't have any idea which picture Nick used! He is mailing me the issue but I haven't seen it. Do they not rework the images to suit? When I finally get my images onto PS, sigh, I will be nagging at you for some serious critique. I am also trying to set up a Pro Bono shoot at a local PAL boxing gym in Santa Maria coordinated with a lady reporter for the local Spanish language weekly newspaper El Tiempo ... I could use the experience and they could probably use some professional images. It will make it much easier to shoot the amateurs at the beginning of the cards if I have some contacts and there may be some interest/sales from that eventually. But more than that it may lead to additional contacts and a better understanding of the whole sport for me.

Edit: I just got my copy of the BN ... I can see what you mean ... I'll be studying the images that were used.

This is Jake Gutierrez out of Henerson, Nevada, who has been at the last two fights.

Thats a great portrait! I can see that one on a book cover. If he was only more famous... is that shot using fill flash?

All the action shots I like too.

oh, just found the exif reader thingy... no flash.

Carzee, the TV lights are pretty decent lighting. He was doing a microphone height check, just standing there with it in his hands, so I walked up the ring girls steps, leaned against the ropes and shot off a few frames. I actually have another that is a little more "artsy" and wider angle with good lighting fade but not as much curb appeal as this one. I have sent them both to Jake with an offer to provide larger sizes.

Quite nice timing on some shots! Hurts to look at them. The things some people do for work/hobby (and obviously I don't mean you here ) never cease to amaze me.

So, you actually switch focus points? I presume you select the one over the subjects face then? Might give that a try if the lighting is good enough....

Rene, yes, I switch focus points while viewing. I like to have the focus on the boxer facing me or if they are facing each other I may switch to the one who is more aggressive. If they are lined up so that the back of one obscures what is going on then I just wait. It is not generally necessary to get the focus on the face (in concerts I go for the near eye) as they are usually standing up straight and there is reasonable DOF. The only time there is a problem is when they are on the ropes right over you ... the DOF is pretty shallow and lights are right into the camera. Here is Rolando Reyes knocking out Courtney Burton in the very last punch of the night on July 22nd, 2005, which demonstrates the problem:

Thanks for the explanation. If I ever get in those light conditions (must be 4 stops more then what I usually have) I'll surely give it a try...

Well, watch out for the blood and sweat if you do!

Dwight.... great stuff.... sorry to take so long to comment... but I missed these first time round

Good to see the Boxing News used a pic... don't spend all the money at once when the cheque lands

If I had to pick a fave image, it's the very last one you posted of Burton falling.... great stuff

----- Gavin