Thank You Dwight! (MMA Action)

The internet is filled with filled with information, but more importantly, good people willing to help. I emailed Dwight McCann before shooting my first MMA fight night and got numerous emails with experienced advice from him. Thank you Dwight, I feel pretty good for a first attempt and I think my client will be feeling pretty good, too.

For the photo-geeks out there (like me) I shot three cameras (5D Mk2, 5D and 30D), five lenses (35mm f/2, 24-105 f/4 L, 70-200 f/2.8 L, 24-70 f/2.8 L, and 85mm f/1.8), 42 GB of cards and ended up with 1,600 shots over the eight bouts (and assorted Playboy Playmates and ring-girls).

Here are some samples. I intentionally kept switching back and forth between the action and intimacy. Yes, intimacy. The fighters alone in the ring, the fighters in their corner between rounds listening to their trainer, etc. I hope to post a blog article about how alone these guys are in a very crowded and noisy venue.

I think the cage works in the first shot, but it's far too distracting in the other ones. It is just OOF enough that it doesn't appear to be there "on purpose", but really is just in the way.

You're welcome. Cage fighting, particularly when the mat extends well beyond the cage, can be very difficult to photograph. If the client is happy, I am happy. I would consider adjusting the white balance a touch. And I would always name the fighters and the winner ... these guys work awfully hard and take a lot of abuse and it just respectful.