I'm happier with the results, but not yet ecstatic. Horizons in #5 are off with my knowledge--these are in 5x7 format for my website and I used the edge of the original frame.

Three more--

Thanks for your feedback!

I'll offer up some feedback. I think sometimes I am more a bit more critical of people who are regulars here, who are beyond hearing "great set" and really are looking to improve their craft. These nits are offered in that vein.

1. Nice image. Keeper
2. Not sure of what focus is on here. Blocker, but his limb is cut off (and yes, I know getting the interior guys is tough. Running back mostly obscured. Defensive player mostly getting blocked in the back and can't see his face.
3. Looks like just after peak action. Running back has back to the viewer. Can't see primary defenders eyes.
4. If you are shooting defender, he is partially hidden and has demon eye and QB is from the wrong side.
5. Good stock shot.
6. Good stock shot. Crop just a bit tighter.

Thank you for your time and your expertise, Tim!

I was trying to shoot the guys in black--and I've been struggling with getting the flash, the exposure, the ISO, etc. acceptable. This is my first batch that isn't consistently muddy. Their home field has rotten, inconsistent lighting, and they wear black, to boot.

#2 and #3, total agreement. I'm a home-town newspaper guy and I hate having the skill players get all the ink. #2 was my best attempt of the night to get an offensive lineman at work.

#4--How do I correct demon eye? The redeye tool does not work on it. I'm not happy with what I get with the brush tool--but should I just keep messing with it until I'm happy?

I am not really sure how to fix the demon eye other than some photoshop and a paintbrush.

And oh yeah, I hate seeing a team come out in all black. It seems to really make you work even harder.

Getting the lineman is a difficult task. The only thing I've managed to find is that you pretty much have to give up on following the ball for a series or two and just pick out a few lineman that you can get a good view of and try to follow them.

timgangloff wrote:

And oh yeah, I hate seeing a team come out in all black. It seems to really make you work even harder.

I know exactly what you're saying. The team I cover has black uniforms for home. It makes for a nightmare at times!

OP, you did a good job on these flashed images. I can't offer any better C&C than what has already been given. So, nice job!

Question: why are you shooting at 4.0 and 3.5? You should be at 2.8 for nighttime football. With the Mark III, I shoot at 2500 iso, 1/500th, and 2/8 and usually don't need flash. If I have to bump the iso to 3200, the noise is manageable with Noise Ninja .

Red/Demon eyes are caused by the flash reflecting off the retina and bouncing back into the lens when the flash is too close to the lens. To avoid this, dial down the power on your flash and mount your flash below your camera on your monopod, around lower thigh level and angle it up just a bit. That will get rid of some of the shadows under the helmets and do away with red/demon eye.

bump the contrast in some of the shots to bring the colors out a little.

ISO 3200 at 1/500 at 2.8 will not do the job on many of the fields around here. I've consistently had to shoot at 6400 - and too often it's 12,800 or flash. I've started to try flash...

In lieu of tim's post and suggestion to be more critical of regulars, I would like to reiterate that 1, 5, and 6 are the best of the bunch. It seems that #1 could benefit from a quick dose of contrast. The white balance looks pretty close but the black uniform is starting to get gray.

2, 3, and 4 don't have enough action to keep me interested. However, like you said you were trying to give some non-stars a little more face time. Shooting from a lower position might bring a better or more interesting perspective!

Good job on 1, 5, and 6

Rob001 wrote:
ISO 3200 at 1/500 at 2.8 will not do the job on many of the fields around here. I've consistently had to shoot at 6400 - and too often it's 12,800 or flash. I've started to try flash...


Wow. I must be really spoiled. All the fields I shoot around here are pretty good.

Jody you are spoiled!!!

Yes... however I try to shoot on badly lit fields every now and then just to keep my skills up!

Well, anytime you want to shoot on a badly lit field, come on up and I'll host ya! The fields around here, with a few exceptions, are brutal! Hopefully tonights game will have the lights fixed. (We've been playing some games with half the lights burned out!)

Good exposures a crap shoot. I've taken to shooting RAW just so that I can adjust a little more in post. The cycling lights, combined with lack of them.... it will definitely be a flashed night tonight!

Wow, Jody--1/500 doesn't freeze action well for me, so I'm trying to use the flash to do that. I've shot at 3200 with no flash on that particular field and have not been happy.

Thanks for the suggestion about mounting the flash lower. I have the equipment to do that, but I end up with a most annoying tangle of cords to compound with my notebook and pen (I write and shoot simultaneously.). Tonight I have a first assignment with another paper on a game that should be pretty one-sided. My bracket has not yet arrived. I'll shoot as I'm comfy for the first half, then go to the complex setup for the second, when the JV's are in.