Hi Guys!!!
Let me start by saying this is probably one of the most educational shoots I have ever been at. 1st, I was asked to cover the game by a local news-paper and provide anywhere between 2-4 images along with cut-lines explaining what occurred. It was a league game so it was packed and security was TIGHT! I have to say that 70-200 attached to the 20D and a monopod with the 580EX on top spelled professional, so gates were opened to allow me access to the side-lines WITHOUT having to display my credentials -- AMAZING!
The game started at 7:30 PM, so light was becoming scarce and I knew more sooner than later, I would be challenged by Mr. Darkness and limited by what I believe was average stadium lightning. That said, I know I would have to rely on my 580EX -- BUT at what setting...
At first I set the camera to Av mode and used the flash head to "slightly" fill the stadium lightning with close subjects -- and it appeared to be working just fine. I dialed-down the flash head power to give me just a tad of fill-light while not over-powering the subjects. Here are two such pictures .. which I believe came out OK -- not the best, but (IMO) acceptable:
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Both ISO 400, f/2.8 in Av.
Well, now for the good part (because as we know this NEVER ends). The task came at hand with the super fast moving players on the field. I had my gear STILL set to Av, shooting wide open f/2.8 - but I was rapidly losing shutter speed. What to do -- what to do, I asked myself ! So I cranked-up my 20D to ISO800, and finally ISO1600 WITH the flash on-board. However, here's where I feel I messed up. Like the damn IDIOT I am, I kept looking for the center meter exposure reading on the camera. I forgot that when using flash that meter means SQUAT!! So I quickly recomposed myself and made some adjustments...
I decided to switch to manual mode (and was QUITE NERVOUS about doing this). However, I made the decision to give it a shot (no pun intended). Now I had to think (quickly I might add) .. what shutter speed do I want .. do I want it fast where I don't allow enough ambient lighting to come in or too slow where the players are blurred. Well, I went with it and adjust the flash head -1/2, -1, etc and set my shutter to what I believe was acceptable 1/350. I would have liked to go faster on the shutter speed, say minimum 1/500 but noticed now I was rapidly taking away from the ambient lighting (deer in the woods affect with dark background). So based on my preview screen, I think 1/350, f/2.8, ISO800 (wish I could have went lower on the ISO setting), and flash head at -1 power. This seemed to work, but I have to expand my knowledge of the game and anticipate/plan with the players better. Here's one of the many results I yielded using this method..
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I suppose one can't do anything about that hideous red eye look that comes with shooting sports using a flash. Anyone also experience this???
Anyway, I have to mention this... if ANYONE is looking for a flash head, that Canon 580EX is a BEAST! This thing kept firing even it a few burst seasons. The head actually turned around and said to me, "Is this ALL you've got!?!?" That thing fired and was ready for more and not ONCE did it leave me in the dark -- AMAZING!
If anyone has any suggestions when shooting sports with flash etc.. I'd certainly welcome it. As you know, football season is still in effect and it will only get darker sooner as the months go by.
As always, any advice, tips, observations, etc.. will be humbly appreciated.
Regards,
Dave
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http://dortizphoto.com
