Feedback on Wrestling Shots - DPChallenge Forums

01/28/2007 06:08:28 AM · #1

Recently bought a D50, looking for critiques & feedback on these shots. Since wrestling is inside and the lighting is so bad I used an external flash, iso 800, shutter speed 1000/s in S mode and Autofocus. My monitor has not been calibrated and I am interested in feedback about white balance, exposure, etc.. 2nd time shooting with my new DSLR, so be gentle :)

photos removed

Message edited by author 2007-01-30 22:40:45.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/28/2007 03:19:32 PM · #2

bump?

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/28/2007 03:46:20 PM · #3

What editing program are you using? I have some ideas for you but it would help to know what you're familiar with.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/28/2007 04:24:30 PM · #4

I mostly use Microsoft Image Pro but also have photoshop cs.

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/28/2007 05:46:07 PM · #5

(I work with PS Elements 2...so where the following refers to "levels" that's where I'm coming from.)

A few things you can do without knowing how well your monitor is calibrated:

1. rip off the grey scale image from this site and open it for reference while you edit an image

2. copy the original layer and convert to grey scale while you edit so you get the tones right in levels then turn the layer off and/or ditch it when you're done

3. know what's really black and really white in an image and use the set black point and set white point in "levels" Note: be sure that levels is set to "luminosity" while you do this so you don't affect color intensity.

Here's a sample of my desktop using these ideas:

Overall, to me, your exposures seem workable. The skin tones from one image to the next do not seem consistent, however, and overall they seem a bit warm in most of the images. If the lighting is consistent in the environment, you might be able to set a custom white balance with your camera. (I can with mine.)

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to enlighten you more and correct my advice. :)

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

01/28/2007 07:11:44 PM · #6

As someone that has shot thousands of these, this assortment looks pretty decent overall.
The conditions are tough, and by using ISO800, your backgrounds didn't go black and the flash power was reduced (great for battery life)
Colors look pretty decent regarding the white balance.
Getting facial recognition shots is so important , and you did well getting them.

Message edited by author 2007-01-28 19:12:34.

dacrazyrn

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/28/2007 07:27:21 PM · #7

First, I am surprise they allowed you to use a flash. Through my career in wrestling (2nd grade through 2 years in college), I can't remember anyone being allowed to use a flash...but
If you are trying to get the white balance I would look at getting the Whibal card, shoot in RAW and read Real World Camera RAW by Bruce Fraser and geting that sweet 70-200mm f2.8 for a lens!!

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

01/28/2007 07:43:37 PM · #8

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

First, I am surprise they allowed you to use a flash.

I can't imagine NOT using a flash.
I shot several seasons, through the state finals, and have a little over 3,500 shots on my site from the 2004-2005 season,
following California's High School Championship team, my son included. Flash was never an issue anywhere.

Message edited by author 2007-01-28 19:44:08.

dacrazyrn

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/28/2007 07:56:27 PM · #9

Interesting. I remember it mainly because at the state freestyle tournament, some "official people" told our parents flash photography was not allowed. Saying it is disruptive to the wrestlers. this was back around 1981.
I would still want the 70-200mm f2.8 though!!

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

01/28/2007 08:04:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

I shoot weekly for the local newspaper and I have never been asked to not use flash by the refs. Its even allowed at the state finals. I wrestled in high school and the parents and the coaches all used flash during the matches.

MattO

01/28/2007 11:02:48 PM · #11

yea everyone shoots with flash, I think wrestling isnt as much a visual sport as say basketball where you are running down a court and Boom flash in your eyes and you cant see where you are going..

anyway, you have quite a lot of photos BradP, it was interesting looking at them all. Wrestling just doesnt get the respect it deserves.

Thanks for the advice Kadi, I cant see the last few bars on that color strip so I think I need to adjust my monitor :)

Message edited by author 2007-01-28 23:03:47.

01/28/2007 11:46:04 PM · #12

What school did you shoot these in?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/29/2007 02:58:36 AM · #13

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

What school did you shoot these in?

Forest Hills High School in Marshville. They had a lot of natural light from a row of windows about 2 feet high and covered one gym wall. It was lots better light than schools around here, as you know. I took several shots, adjusting the settings until I thought I had it right. Guess I will do the same at each school depending on their lighting.

Another question: My flash has those color slides that go on the front. At Bandys where everything is so yellow and the photos look tinted, do you think it would help to use one of those colored slides and if so, which color?

Thanks :)

Message edited by author 2007-01-29 02:59:37.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

01/29/2007 03:45:51 AM · #14

I think the shots look terrific! I have no experience, but I agree with Brad's comments about face recognition - you did a terrific job. And if that's your son in all the pics on the bottom row, dang, he makes it look effortless! He almost looks bored. :)

01/29/2007 09:27:27 AM · #15

I don't know about flash gels. I never use them. I do my color correction manually and shoot in auto white balance.

These look fine :)

01/29/2007 02:12:20 PM · #16

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

LOL.. Thank you! These are actually my Twins. Three of the photos are of my son Josh and the second one over is my son Jordan (notice the different color head gear). Jordan holds a record for "most freshman wins", we are 5x state champions in the last 10 years, we have a good wrestling program.

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

These look fine :)

Thanks John :)

01/29/2007 02:21:03 PM · #17

Looks like I'm gonna be covering Bandys @ St. Stephens tomorrow night...

01/29/2007 07:22:15 PM · #18

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Looks like I'm gonna be covering Bandys @ St. Stephens tomorrow night...

cool :) get some good 125 & 130 shots for me :)