Hey Paul, excellent photography you have. This portrait photograph at the top of your page, how did you light the side of his face as to no have a shadow grill across his face. I just don't get where that light source is coming from. You've traveled to some really cool places, great job.
Valdudes, first thanks for checking out my images. Honestly, I wanted the cool effect of the light falling across his face in shadows but was having a problem with him moving so I just moved the light source closer to the sculpture to avoid the lines. The more specular the light is the more the shadows come out. When I had the shadows the light source was about 30 ft away.
Just wanted to post some recent photos taken at the Big 12 Tennis Championships. I like tennis so if you don't piss off. Ever want to break into the field of journalism? Better start liking a lot of sports and pay attention to getting the right shot.
Big 12 Championships
In a recent rant on another member's blog I mentioned shooting an event and producing the images necessary to please the client whether it be the Associated Press, a news paper or tournament organizers. For this assignment I covered the championships for the Big 12 Conference. I approach these assignments the same way I would for the AP but with an emphasis on covering as many players as possible.
The following is how I approach an event like this. First I like to understand the sport. How is the game played, how do I know what the crucial moment in the action will be and why is this girl waiting for the ball to come under the net?
Not as important to me but why do women tennis players wear these outfits that make basically every photo a crotch shot?
But really I want to know what makes a great photo and who should I be taking the photo of? For this assignment I photographed 130+ players from all of the schools. I edited over 4500 images and 41 gigs of info (just a quick fyi, shoot everything raw if you don't already) I have scene enough photos I am sure I could play the sport. Those skirts would look good on me...
Can't beat some nice action. She will not like her face and will think her arms are too big. My response, quit making that face and lay off the roids.
Photos away from the action are something I look for as well. During doubles I suck, so I look for other images that I might need.
The top seeded player in the Big 12, good to have a different type of photo of him.
I am not a stickler for having the ball in the photo in tennis because I think the follow through is better looking than the contact such as in the serve.
My favorite thing is the reaction. I don't care if it is celebration or the look of defeat, actually I like defeat a little more. What does that say about me?
Not my best dejection shot but it gets the point across.
Aww, the thrill of victory and it tastes so sweet. Had to throw in a little fist pump from the coach behind him. By the way in this instance the said player will either yell out "Let's Go!" or "C'mon." Insert your language of choice but that is how it works. Those same phrases when used with the right tone can be used in the dejection photo as well.
There was a definite "C'mon" being whispered at this moment.
Guys do jump alittle higher than the women which makes it more fun but the women by far are more graceful.
Don't forget to get a crowd shot no matter how big that crowd might be. What the hell, this is Texas why are they dressed for an arctic blast? They should have worn the casual parka, knit hat and gloves like me so they wouldn't stand out.
Don't forget some team shots, cause you know there is no "I" in team. Although last night I found out there is a "me" in team and an "I" in win... sorry just rambling.
Thats it, a very exciting tournament in which I was able to produce the images said client wanted is a very small amount of time. After the games of each day, images were ready for the internet and sent to every participating school. In less than two weeks, the agreed upon time, I have sent disc of the images to the Big 12 and all participating schools. Easy stuff. Now I leave you with one last fist pump and a hardy "Let's Go!"
The one of the player and coach both with their right fist pumped and the NCAA sign in the back is soooooo money, such a perfect shot.
And yes, why do they have to wear these skirty outfits anyway? Why don't WNBA players wear skorts then? Just put them in shorts like the dudes already.
I shot a bit of tennis for my university and found it FAR more difficult than it looks. Especially if trying to get the ball in the shot is your thing... you will probably live longer since you're not a stickler for it! - but shooting without a high-speed motor-drive (and sometimes even with it) I feel it taught me SO much about timing. That ball is fast!! --- Great post! I really enjoyed the shots!
Oh I agree, timing is everything. I do not rely on my motor drive but do use it to get a shot series including setup and follow through. I don't think it is hard to get a ball in the shot, I just feel we get hung up with the idea of a ball and forget about form and composition.
Nice instructional entry! I learned a few things about shooting tennis... Which, actually, I don't think I've ever shot -- professionally, anyway. I know I made a few frames of it at SAC. Either way, you're very good at it, which makes sense because of the natural predilection of dirty old men to look for excuses to make up-skirt photos of young women. ;-)
I have shot so much tennis, I tell you I could play it. Really! But anyways, I like to keep my blogs serious and take learning to a higher level. Now, not saying I overly enjoy young women (note I said women and not girls) in small skirts but when I retire I think it shall be across from a sorority house.
and what program do you use for editing? i shoot raw too, and use lightroom, but lots of times it changes the colors in the pictures, and makes them look dull....and washed out...did you ever had that problem? nice moments you captured! i like defeat and lonelyness in pictures...
I use lighteoom as well. I have never used aperture but for quick assignments I use photo mechanic. I have a set of presets I use to control color and output.
