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Archive 2015 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Lule
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Recently started shooting high school football and came across max preps , In order to shoot for them you have to use flash . And I'm afraid the coaches are going to kick me out as soon as I start flashing . Any tips on how I can approach this , I have a d7000 with a tamron 2.8 - 300mm in order for me to get a decent exposure I have to bump the ISO to 6400 and Shutter speed to 1/800 , however the images have a lot of noise . Any advice thanks

Oct 22, 2015 at 12:29 PM

Nuchuga
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I would speak with the schools sports coordinator or info center. Many kids are put off by flashes so there usually not allowed on or near the field!

Oct 22, 2015 at 12:32 PM

EBOBO
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Ask MP if they really use flash for field sports..I doubt it. I would also look at picking up a 70-200 2.8 or 80-200 2.8 for cheap.

Oct 22, 2015 at 07:48 PM

bpalermini
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I just started shooting for MaxPreps. From what I understand, in the past they pretty much demanded flash. Now with some cameras doing better at high ISOs, on well lit fields, they have backed off a bit for those with the good cameras. They continue to have high standards for sharpness and color. To get that you likely need flash.

Even though I have a great camera, a 1DX, I recently started using flash on my worst fields, which is all of them. I expose for the ambient and use a ETTL flash, mounted below the lens on my monopod, to help fill under the helmets and to clean up the whites.

I had tried flash a number of times in the past but always as the main light, but was never happy with the results. Now that I am using it to supplement the ambient light I'm pretty happy with it. As I mentioned, I expose for the ambient, 1/800, 2.8, ISO 25600, yes my main field is that bad, and use the flash set to -1 stop FEC, high speed sync, ETTL.

It works! My pictures look better and I have had exactly no complaints from a variety of high school and DIII college teams and referees.

Oct 22, 2015 at 08:34 PM

hfphoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Do you have a couple of examples photos taken with flash, that you can post? I just found out that the person that shoots for my children's HS yearbook uses flash. I asked him about it and he said no one ever complained. So I'm about to try it.

Oct 22, 2015 at 08:39 PM

pat.kane
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I also shoot for MaxPreps and have never had a complaint about flashing football or other field sports. I'd suggest signing up for the closed Facebook group for MaxPreps photographers as this issue has been discussed quite often.

My current setup is a PocketWizard FlexTT5 on camera triggering two monopod mounted speedlites with FlexTT5 triggers using HYPERSYNC (not HSS). The PW technology just works and it has proven much easier to get good photos than shooting with HSS or at sync speed. I shot near ambient at 1/800-sec, f/2.8-4 and ISO 6400. The photos with flash are just better from my perspective (color, clarity, sharpness, etc.), even on my 1Dx.

Sorry about the watermark, but this is what is most handy:


	http://www.dmvpix.com/Sports/Football/Fairfax-WL-16Oct15/i-RCXXsN4/0/L/20151016-192540_1-L.jpg

Oct 22, 2015 at 09:11 PM

TFrazior
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

All the Schools in my town will not let you use Flash. I did use a D3s with a 70-200 F2.8 now I use D750 with the 70-200. I have my ISO cranked up to get the shots. Also If you use flash you will only be able to get one photo every 2 or 4 seconds.

Oct 22, 2015 at 09:34 PM

pat.kane
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Using Hypersync and only having the flash for fill (i.e., shoot at or near ambient) allows the flash to keep up with the low speed setting on the 1Dx for my setup, which is several shots a second.

Oct 22, 2015 at 09:38 PM

bpalermini
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I can shoot 4 or 5 shots at 12 FPS before I get a missed one.

I was just saying this morning that when I come back from a game now it's like the olden days when I would keep 1 in 4 shots instead of 1 in 10. Now I work on timing my shots and instead of just mashing the shutter. I time my shots when using flash. I also moved my camera to the low FPS setting of 5 fps so that I can shoot just one or a couple in a row.

Take a look at THIS or THIS or THIS. They are my last three albums using flash at three different fields. They are certainly not perfect albums but MaxPreps ok'd the first one.

Edited on Oct 23, 2015 at 10:43 AM · View previous versions

Oct 22, 2015 at 10:15 PM

Ralph Thompson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I use a flash all the time for high school football. Here's an example.... I use high speed sync and use flash for color and to bring out the faces a tad more. I call it a "puff" of light. I power down the flash a -2/3. I keep my flash to ambient as close to 50/50 as I can.

Oct 22, 2015 at 10:18 PM

bpalermini
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Ralph, I think you are the guy who inspired me to try this. I remember your "puff of light" line but could not find the thread when I went back to find it. Thanks!

Oct 22, 2015 at 10:27 PM

Lule
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

thank you all of for the replies , yesterday I went and tried shooting with a flash and was not able to see a big difference in exposure, I shot at iso 2000 and shutter speed 1/800th and my flash was at 1/16 power , Reading the replies and seeing Ralphs picture at iso 12800 , I thinking of raising my flash to 1/2 power or would it be better to use two flashes at 1/2 the power to get a faster recycle time,

Oct 23, 2015 at 03:26 PM

pat.kane
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

Since you can't control the distance between the camera and subject, use ETTL (and FEC if necessary) and let the flash adjust its own power.

Yes, two flashes would be better than one if you can manage it.

Oct 23, 2015 at 03:29 PM

Ralph Thompson
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I shoot on manual (camera) flash on ETTL at a -2/3. ETTL because the distance between camera & subject changes constantly. The only reason I went to 12800 on this one was the 600. Normally I use a 400 2.8 ISO 8-10k.... 1/1000 @ f 3.2-3.5. With these settings, the camera settings stop the action and the flash provides just a touch of fill, color and contrast (reduces post processing). I put the flash on my monopod about 2' below the lens axis to prevent red-eye. I use a 600 ex w/ ST-E3.
If your venue is so dark that you can't get a usable ISO for your gear then, I go to using the flash to stop the action. Camera on manual @ the sync speed at around F/4 iso 800 or so for the average HS venues I shoot. Use an ISO high enough to get "some" background. But, keep exposure 2 stops below ambient to prevent ghosting. Then work the flash compensation to get the look you need/want (in ETTL).

These are two completely different schools of thought/methods. I've gotten excellent results with both. But now with the 1DX, I use my "Puff of light" 100% of the time.

Ralph

Oct 23, 2015 at 05:30 PM

hfphoto
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I tried shooting with flash tonight, with mixed results. In too many of the shots the players eyes reflected the light. Also, the distant to subject made a big difference. When the player was further away, there was too much light spilling. Closer shots were better. Decreasing flash compensation helped.

Oct 24, 2015 at 02:07 AM

Ralph Thompson
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

hfphoto wrote:
I tried shooting with flash tonight, with mixed results. In too many of the shots the players eyes reflected the light. Also, the distant to subject made a big difference. When the player was further away, there was too much light spilling. Closer shots were better. Decreasing flash compensation helped.

You really need to make sure you have more than 5 degrees separation between your flash & lens axis. The further away you are, the further your flash has to be away from the lens. That's why your closer shots look ok but your distance shots have redeye. With my 400 2.8 or 600, my flash is WAY down on the monopod. Otherwise you'll get the dreaded red/zombie eyes. I keep my flash powered down too. Nothing spells PP nightmare more than having this great shot with 7 sets of eyes to "repair" in post...

Oct 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM

Lule
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I tried uploading an image sample from the weekend however I don't know how, could any one tell me It says upload only available to sell members ,Thanks

Oct 26, 2015 at 09:46 PM

bpalermini
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

I believe that means only people who pay for access to sell equipment here can upload a photo. Everyone can link a to a photo though. That's what I do. I use a link from my web site or Flickr page.

Oct 28, 2015 at 06:52 PM

graham_martin
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

What do you use to attach your flashes to your monopod? I have a couple of Manfrotto clamps but they are a little heavy and bulky. I have been thinking of trying something like a handlebar mount that would take a threaded stud.

Oct 29, 2015 at 09:38 AM

pat.kane
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Tips for using flash on football action shots

There are a few ideas in these threads
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1422213&page=1
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1228076&page=1

I use a super clamp and homemade L-bracket.

Oct 29, 2015 at 03:35 PM

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