Bay Village Rockets Football - Huge Homecoming WIn!

Just doing some edits and thought I post up a few from a great game. Bay Village struggled last season for a single win and yet entered this game with a 4-1 record against undefeated N. Ridgeville in a huge homecoming matchup for the Rockets. Game ended in a tie and Bay took it across the goal first in OT. Ridgeville answered but with drama building, the Rockets blocked the PAT sending the place into a frenzy.

Shooting wise, I tried something a little different by using two flashes (one above, one below) both mounted to the monopod. I'm not sure it was a good or bad setup yet but may try it again at some point. Either way, here's a few shots from the game, exif intact.

1. Rockets had to go to their bakup sophomore QB after a broken hand put their starter on the bench early on.

Scott,

Youre way better than this. A couple of these make me question why you even bothered to put them up. I know youve got a better eye than this and I know youve put out better work.

#1 is a handoff(?) to an invisible man, #3 is a bunch of people running out of frame(and soft..), and #7 is just way out of focus. The only OOF focus picture Ive seen worth remembering was Bhutto's assassination.

The rest are ok but Im left wondering why they still look like plastic despite you using 2 speedlites?

Ill give you an A for effort for trying something new though. I'm wondering what the real benefit would be though. Just looking at the pictures, I dont see any real benefit..

Thanks Adam. I don't disagree either. I like to put some stuff up from time to time that is marginal at best to see where I can do better, Oddly, the really crap oof image (which I did point out in the post) has already put $42 in my pocket which is one reason why I kept it. I know it sucks but I also know those kids would love it since they don't care about IQ for squat, just the moment. Trust me, I wanted to delete it but my freshman son and a close friend of ours whose a senior, both made me swear to keep it so I did and they were right. The others, well, I know they aren't great but I can learn from the crap more than the good stuff.

I also agree that the dual flash thing really didn't yield any real benefit but the only way to learn was to try it. I sincerely appreciate the candid crit on these as that's what really gets me thinking critically about my stuff.

FWIW, these all fall into that category of to keep or delete. The real keepers are easy, same with the obvious deletes. I need to post stuff like this every so often to make sure I am filtering my marginal images appropriately.

You funny, Scott! And boy, I've got to get better using the flash. Just ain't working for me. Yours just JUMP off the screen!

dave

AdamLewis wrote in post #8797184
Scott,

Youre way better than this. A couple of these make me question why you even bothered to put them up. I know youve got a better eye than this and I know youve put out better work.

#1 is a handoff(?) to an invisible man, #3 is a bunch of people running out of frame(and soft..), and #7 is just way out of focus. The only OOF focus picture Ive seen worth remembering was Bhutto's assassination.

The rest are ok but Im left wondering why they still look like plastic despite you using 2 speedlites?

Ill give you an A for effort for trying something new though. I'm wondering what the real benefit would be though. Just looking at the pictures, I dont see any real benefit..

"#1 is a handoff(?) to an invisible man..."

It's either an upcoming handoff, or a play action pass. There are no invisible men on a football field. None that you can see anyway.

"#3 is a bunch of people running out of frame(and soft..)"

You got the number wrong, but we should excuse the typo... #5 is what was described, the crowd rushing the field. EVERYONE in that photo would appreciate it on their own, and anyone who read the caption would appreciate it also.

"The rest are ok but Im left wondering why they still look like plastic despite you using 2 speedlites?"

Plastic effect should be eliminated by 2 speedlites? What does your critique even mean? If Scott used one speedlite at 1/2 power, or 2 speedlites at 1/4 power, the NR would need the same treatment. Did you ever think that he used 2 flashes at 1/4 power vs 1 flash at 1/2 power? Besides, they don't look plastic anyway.

"#7 is just way out of focus."

You got that right, congrats. Oh wait, he knew that.

"Ill give you an A for effort for trying something new though. I'm wondering what the real benefit would be though. Just looking at the pictures, I dont see any real benefit..."

I'll give you an A for your critique. "A" stands for...

Scott, anyone that can get a decent exposed flash football shot has my respect. I for one appreciate the variety of images, and I too would have kept the OOF one. Sometimes its not about the perfect technically correct image.

If every shot we post is our "best" shot, then whats the point. I for one dont come on the forums and discuss this stuff with my friends to get my ass kissed, I want to know how every image I take could be better. How in the heck is someone supposed to learn if all they post is the best stuff they've ever shot. Its easy for me to tell my great images,.. its the ones in the middle ground I often need help with.

That being said, there is a mannered way to give constructive critisism, and there are some other people's ways.

Now I'll put my soapbox away and leave you with one thought..... "Glass houses....glass houses"

I like the story the images tell... but the colors are just odd. Not sure what is going on but the dynamic range in these is just crushed, and they look like there has been a ton of NR done on them. I think it was just one of those outings.

I hear ya though on people buy what ever, not even close to being as picky as people here tend to be. My 7 year old is playing Pop-Warner and this "pro" has been photographing the team with his 15K worth of equipment. Each week he shows up with some new toy, and yet his technique sucks.... shoots way to high for the guys he is shooting. But the parents don't care. And I have to keep reminding myself that most are not seeking perfection, rather good enough to be a memory maker.

So at that level, I am sure you hit a home run. We can nit pick the shots all we want. I have to force myself to ignore the dude at my sons games and remind myself he is providing the level of service the parents want. Constently telling myself to get over it.

Cheers!

johndevane wrote in post #8799100
"#1 is a handoff(?) to an invisible man..."

It's either an upcoming handoff, or a play action pass. There are no invisible men on a football field. None that you can see anyway.

"#3 is a bunch of people running out of frame(and soft..)"

You got the number wrong, but we should excuse the typo... #5 is what was described, the crowd rushing the field. EVERYONE in that photo would appreciate it on their own, and anyone who read the caption would appreciate it also.

"The rest are ok but Im left wondering why they still look like plastic despite you using 2 speedlites?"

Plastic effect should be eliminated by 2 speedlites? What does your critique even mean? If Scott used one speedlite at 1/2 power, or 2 speedlites at 1/4 power, the NR would need the same treatment. Did you ever think that he used 2 flashes at 1/4 power vs 1 flash at 1/2 power? Besides, they don't look plastic anyway.

"#7 is just way out of focus."

You got that right, congrats. Oh wait, he knew that.

"Ill give you an A for effort for trying something new though. I'm wondering what the real benefit would be though. Just looking at the pictures, I dont see any real benefit..."

I'll give you an A for your critique. "A" stands for...

Im sorry. I forgot I should critique POTN style.

In that case, GREAT PICS! NICE COLOR! WHAT GEAR DID YOU USE!?

Get real man. If you cant take the heat get out of the kitchen. I offer up front, honest advice to people who truly want to get better at what theyre doing. Scott is a grown man and I dont think he needs you to come rescue him from big bad Adam. However, if you really feel the need to critique a critique, Ive got nothing but laughs for you.

John:

Wait until Namaste posts some basketball shots. You'll see why Adam didn't give him a glowing review of the football pics. What he posted here isn't close to on par with what he usually shares with us.

And I'm with Adam too and get sick of people offering, 'great shots, bla, bla, bla' when what was posted isn't very good at all.

Why blow smoke up someone's kilt when you can offer candid critique?

dave

snyderman wrote in post #8802803
John:

Wait until Namaste posts some basketball shots. You'll see why Adam didn't give him a glowing review of the football pics. What he posted here isn't close to on par with what he usually shares with us.

And I'm with Adam too and get sick of people offering, 'great shots, bla, bla, bla' when what was posted isn't very good at all.

Why blow smoke up someone's kilt when you can offer candid critique?

dave

dude, who told you I wear a kilt? Is nothing sacred? Its all good guys and frankly, its a bit of a compliment to hear that you feel my "norm" is much better. I realized these weren't top notch when I posted them. I think I mentioned that above. Hearing the feedback is a gret litmus test of what you've come to expect and holds me to a higher standard. It gives me something to measure my marginal shots against and that does help. Its also nice to see that I have friends here who will stick up for me regardless. Its all good stuff guys, really.

good shots

That sucks about #7 Scott. I have a few could have been great photos as well. I agree getting slapped down once in a while is good. Happened a month or so ago for me and it made me work harder on that part of my photography.

Damn you know how much I hate to agree with Adam.

Dan-o wrote in post #8803174
good shots

lol! thanks Danny.

I haven't shot a night game this season other than one soccer match and it obviously shows. The upside is that I spend more time on the baseline than sideline and hoops season is just around the corner!

Dan-o wrote in post #8803198
That sucks about #7 Scott. I have a few could have been great photos as well. I agree getting slapped down once in a while is good. Happened a month or so ago for me and it made me work harder on that part of my photography.

Damn you know how much I hate to agree with Adam.

Granted.. like I said above. EVERY image has room for improvement and getting peoples input on that is paramount to growth. However you can do it in a positive friendly fashion or it can be done it a bitter "holier than though run you down to build myself up fashion as well."