Were these overexposed and then pulled back in post? The skin looks kinda funny in some of them. Im also surprised at how loose they are for a 400 on a 1.6x body.
Theyre not bad. Some are loose, some are missing a ball (I know its not a rule, but in this case it just leaves it a little lacking), some have cropped off extremities, some have distracting backgrounds.
DannWunderlich wrote:
i think that these were all at 3200 (not sure though - the exif is in flickr)
Only one (photo #2) was at 3200...
EXIF from photo #1:
Camera: Nikon D300
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 1 EV
Date and Time: 2008:10:01 18:37:37
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Manual
Gain Control: High gain up
Photo #2: ISO 3200, 1/400", f/2.8, 0 EV
Photo #3: ISO 1600, 1/320", f/2.8, 1/3 EV
Photo #4: ISO 1250, 1/320", f/2.8
Photo #5: ISO 2500, 1/500", f/2.8
Photo #6: ISO 2200, 1/400", f/3.5
Photo #7: ISO 2000, 1/400", f/3.5
Photo #8: ISO 1400, 1/400", f/3.5
Nice shots. Nice timing... vball can be tough. Are these all uncropped? If so, that's pretty good framing for a long prime. #3 would ideally be framed a little lower.
OSU v Mizzou is 8pm start. How are the lights? Do you plan on using 3200?
Doesn't the D300 have a 1.5 crop factor, making the actual focal length longer than 400mm?
Something seems to have gotten lost in post. In my opinion, they lack that pop. Also they seem a bit warm to me, but hey what do I know. I've never shot VB before so this is probably better that what I could do.
I think the lens did fine, but I think your angle is the issue. I would try to get out of the stands if possible and get more on eye level or below. I'm sure you could get some cool shots of them right against the top of the net for a spike with that kind of length.
On the shutter I agree, aim for 1/500th or more. That's what I used for basketball which is just as fast paced.
Pretty nice for a first time with a long lens, Dann! I'm struggling to learn how to use a 300 f2.8 and finding the weight and reduced field of vision rather a challenge. Someone on this site suggested that for vball, you should just choose one player at a time and wait until the action comes to her/him.
I think the white balance is off? These definitely have a greenish/bluish cast on my monitor, but other than that I think the action is very good, especially considering getting used to a new lens (and camera right? aren't you a Canon guy?). Next time I would try setting a custom WB with a sheet of white paper.
see with a 400 there was no way that i would be able to shoot courtside - simply way to close - and now the hearnes center (which is notorious for having some of the worst lighting in all the schools sports centers) has huge banners up on all four sides
yes i am a canon kid, but if i can get a D300 and a 400 2.8 - id be a fool not to take it
yes the wb is off - but that comes along with the awful lighting of the hearnes center.
thank you for all your C&C guys, i really appreciate it
I forgot to mention that i was using manual focus on these
the DOF was so paper thin, the AF kept picking the net instead of the face - so i decided it was the time to do it the way that pros had to before af lol
First of all I understand that you probably found the closest, most convenient sporting event to shoot in order to test this lens. So I won't even comment on post processing, white balance, etc.
Depending on which lenses you're normally used to shooting, taking a 400 out for a spin is definitely different. Aside from the size, weight, and physical dimensions, you almost have to re-learn how to frame your subjects. Depending upon where you are in relation to your subject you may not have a whole lot of room in your frame to get everything looking just right. So yes, you've got a hand or two cut off here and there but that's expected at this point, especially shooting sports when everything happens in fractions of a second.
Something else to consider is to really have an idea in your mind of what you might be looking for in a shot or series of shots. You really can't just hang around with a lens such as this and wait for the action to happen. That really allows you to then put yourself in the best place/position you need to be in order to get those shots.
Don't be afraid to shoot in both portrait and landscape orientation. With some practice you will learn how to selectively crop in-camera. For instance #4 could have been shot landscape. It would've given the image more room along the edges, would have been enhanced by the net stretching across the frame, and you would not have the girls legs cut off and dangling out of the frame. In other words, don't be afraid to shoot tight with this lens. I shot an LPGA event earlier this summer and there was always 3-4 photographers with 300mm to 500mm lenses no more than 20-40 feet in front and to the side of the tee box, shooting really tight shots of faces.
Good luck shooting the game. I do think that you may find shooting football with the 400mm a bit easier than volleyball. Post some images afterwards.
New lens and camera, I think you did pretty well. I shot V'ball yesterday for the first time, and I have moved it near the top of my "tuff stuff to shoot" list.
thanks alot steve, you nailed EXACTLY what i was doing, it wasnt about post or wb ... rather framing and learning how to.
i know that football is going to be alot easier and i am excited to jsut get out there and shoot, in football i am pumped to be able to shoot from the endzone
i will post some after the game
and yes Mill, volleyball is one of the hardest sports to shoot.
That fieldhouse was a dungeon. Did they not have any house stobes.
I love available light and for a first timer and your assignment I think you did fine. If you walked away from the PP saying I'll try this next time then you learned. Seems we spend so much time on exposure we sometimes miss where our efforts need to be spent.
I like the idea that you are thinking outside the box and using the "wrong" lens for the job :-) Makes your stuff look diffrent and thats great if you ask me. I used my 400 for HS basketball a few times jsut to try it and was really alot of fun and you learn alot.
