help in shooting swimming meet

i post this in sport section but gotten no replies yet. figure maybe i post that in the wrong section. k my neice ask me to shoot her swim meet. i don't have a clue to what setting i should use. be using my kit plus a 200 L i borrowed.

Bill

You are probably not allowed to use flash. If you are allowed to use flash, use it -- it will produce nice colors in the water and makes the water waves much more visible.

Now, without using flash (assuming the event is indoor) you will need to use the highest ISO at the largest aperture to freeze the actions. Otherwise, you will get blurry images.

pieq314 wrote in post #3935044
You are probably not allowed to use flash. If you are allowed to use flash, use it -- it will produce nice colors in the water and makes the water waves much more visible.

Now, without using flash (assuming the event is indoor) you will need to use the highest ISO at the largest aperture to freeze the actions. Otherwise, you will get blurry images.

yea it's gonna be indoor. not sure about the flash but i doubt it too. when you say high iso do your mean 800 or higher

Bill

A search of forum threads usually reveals more info...
https://photography-on-the.net …d.php?p=812036#​post812036
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=43984&high​light=swim
I had posted these years ago after shooting some women's Ivy League short course.
Best of luck. Jack

All our swim meets here are indoor. I use a 85 1.8 and my 70-200 2.8 (WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH LIGHT!)

I shoot in Av, RAW(better to post process in), start out at ISO 1600 (often 3200 for the 2.8). I try to get the ec +1/3 or +2/3, do a CWB (the water really screws with your WB) and I dont use flash., if the expsoure is correct the noise will be minimal and can be cleaned up with a noise reducer like Noise Ninja or my fav Neat Image. The reason I shoot on the + side just a bit, is I can move the ec to the left and not make more noise, but if I have to move it to the right it gets MUCH noisier. Also, when the WB is corrected the noise gets better...at least it seems like it to me...

Here they let you use flash, BUT NOT at the start, so you miss all those opportunities. IF you use flash be prepared to be blamed for other loosers using flash on the start. Your camera will be the most obvious....LOL

If you can get on the pool deck, shoot from the end for the fly and breast. I like to shot the back and free from the side. Try to get their faces and their expressions. I am NOT a master at this, but here are some examples....


I wasnt low enough for this shot, but you get the idea

J Rabin wrote in post #3935162
A search of forum threads usually reveals more info...
https://photography-on-the.net …d.php?p=812036#​post812036
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=43984&high​light=swim
I had posted these years ago after shooting some women's Ivy League short course.
Best of luck. Jack

superdiver wrote in post #3935209
All our swim meets here are indoor. I use a 85 1.8 and my 70-200 2.8 (WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH LIGHT!)

I shoot in Av, RAW(better to post process in), start out at ISO 1600 (often 3200 for the 2.8). I try to get the ec +1/3 or +2/3, do a CWB (the water really screws with your WB) and I dont use flash., if the expsoure is correct the noise will be minimal and can be cleaned up with a noise reducer like Noise Ninja or my fav Neat Image. The reason I shoot on the + side just a bit, is I can move the ec to the left and not make more noise, but if I have to move it to the right it gets MUCH noisier. Also, when the WB is corrected the noise gets better...at least it seems like it to me...

Here they let you use flash, BUT NOT at the start, so you miss all those opportunities. IF you use flash be prepared to be blamed for other loosers using flash on the start. Your camera will be the most obvious....LOL

If you can get on the pool deck, shoot from the end for the fly and breast. I like to shot the back and free from the side. Try to get their faces and their expressions. I am NOT a master at this, but here are some examples....

I wasnt low enough for this shot, but you get the idea

Here I missed her eyes...

Couldnt have got my sons take off, if I had been using flash....LOL

I shoot the whole team, so you end up with goofballs like this guy who wanted to smile for the camera as he was passing, instead of swimming fast....LOL

Anyway, like I said, not the best shots, but if you go to the link below you will get PLENTY of ideas of how NOT to shoot swimming....LOL..just scroll don through the different events and look at the swim meet ones....

http://superdiver.smug​mug.com/Sports

thank you guys for the replies. i guess i'm gonna have to just wing it as best i can with the tips from you guys. not really a people taker more into macro.

Bill

Definitely shoot in RAW. Changing the WB later is so helpful - saves you stress and time wasted getting it correct at the meet.

I find that the light doesn't change in my gym, so I find my settings and stick to Manual. You might want to watch out for glare coming off the water though, it'll severely change your exposure.

Great shots Superdiver.

Bill Pham wrote in post #3935116
yea it's gonna be indoor. not sure about the flash but i doubt it too. when you say high iso do your mean 800 or higher

Bill

I mean ISO 1600 or 3200. You will need the high shutter speed to freeze the actions.