brianbarksdale
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Posts posted by brianbarksdale
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<p>Another from the same tournament.</p><div>
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<p>Some shots from the local Okinawa Friendship Basketball Tournament between the local high school and Japanese schools.</p><div></div>
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<p>Tom,<br>
Thank you for the contribution. I too saw this setup at another high school game and hence the reason I researched how to use flash for football. The team is away this week, but I plan on shooting this Friday. I'll work on the manual power settings this game and see what works best. I was watching Fox Friday and they showcased a high school game in California. I was jealous on the amount of lighting their stadium offered. If only we had that setup!! Either way, I enjoy trying new ideas when it comes to sports photography. Well new for me. Jeff, Lex, and the multiple others with vast knowledge, this is old news. Ha Ha. Everyone enjoy your week. <br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Susana,<br>
Glad to hear it worked out!</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Now w/out flash, same distance. Have a wonderful week!</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p><div>
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<p>This one was also about 35 yards away. I asked the player after the game if he noticed the flash? "What flash" was his response. I guess when your focused on something, the little things don't matter. Now, for swimming or if I was right upon him, yes, I could see it. Over 30 yards out, not an issue. As they approached to end zone, I continued to push back so I didn't have to manipulate my power settings. Same setup as above.</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p><div>
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<p>Fellow Photographers,<br /> Last Friday was a productive shoot, and a heck of a high school game. I asked the coaching staff, athletic director, and finally the officials. All were thrilled I was there to help out the school. The touchdowns were all ran in from over 55 yards, so the majority of the time I was not in the darkest part of the field. However, this shot (not real exciting, but I was able to light the facemask) was taken at about 32-35 yards away. Canon 1D Mark IIN, 400mm f2.8L @ f2.8, 1/250, ISO 3200 taken with a monopod and attached inverted Canon 550 EX (1/16 power) w/ battery pack and Canon off camera shoe cord. The high school travels over the next few weeks and I'm away training. I'll update here again with some tweaking of my gear and technique. Any thoughts or comments are welcomed. Thank you all again for the help with this.<br /> v/r<br /> Brian Barksdale</p><div></div>
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<p>Jeff and Lex,</p>
<p> It is always a pleasure and educational experience when you contribute to the forum. I value your years of experience and knowledge. The history you both expounded on is amazing. I have always respected the way flash adds to any photograph. When used properly (so one can’t detect its use) it adds something special to the photograph. I’ll continue to work through the problem and report back on how it turns out. I’m pretty sure the coaching and athletic staff will work with me. They enjoy the photos I produce for them on that dark football field of theirs.</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Susana,</p>
<p> Gary is exactly right, 1/250 will give you some blur on the extremities, but with your equipment limitations, this is acceptable if you ensure the main body / head is sharp. Faster glass will yield faster shutter speeds, but I of all people understand money constraints when I first started out. Either way, try and learn what works for you. Understanding the challenges with night sports photography makes it easier to purchase the right equipment in the future. </p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Craig,<br>
I tried to find the article (both on strobist and google) and failed:0) Do you know of the title? The funny thing is I'm only struggling with one end zone. The other, although not ideal, is better than the other. I'm talking to the athletic department tomorrow and if able to the coaching staff. Everyone is right, it's up to them if I can even use flash. Either way, Friday Night lights are just plain enjoyable. I really have the best seat in the house!! The worse day of photography is better than the best day of work!! I'll report back and let you all know how it goes. I also want to post some test shots to let everyone know I'm not crazy, ha ha!<br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Susana,<br /> When is sunset? If you can, take as many shots before it gets dark. When the field is patched with shadows and direct sunlight, keep the camera in AV and wide open, ensure your ISO is set to maintain around 1/500. Once dark, I would recommend you keep your focal length no longer than 200mm keeping your aperture wider than f5.6. Keep your settings on manual, 1/250, f4.0, ISO 1600 and shoot away. If able (unsure if you can as you stated) try and get into the end zone when the offense is within 10 yards. With head on shots you can get away with slower shutter speeds, and able to see better intentions of the quarterback. Most of all... have fun and do not get discouraged! Photographing football is difficult, especially in a high school stadium. I argue it is some of the hardest sports photography around. Be careful... photographing football is addicting!! You always have something you can try next time!! Good luck and respond on here to let us know how it goes.<br /> v/r<br /> Brian Barksdale<br>
P.S. As stated before, pick up a monopod if you can? Understand the budget constraints, but it will keep your 1/250 shots a little more tolerable. You'll be stuck in landscape though, as that lens doesn't have a collar to transition to portrait. </p>
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<p>David,<br>
Thank you and you are exactly right. I'll ask their preference. I'm more focused on doing it and needed a little grounding. I would never consider it while indoors, or right up on an athlete as in swimming. I'm a little farther out (20-30 yards), and the little bit of flash fills the facemask. Many laugh saying I’m to far out for flash, but the little bit lights up the face very well, even at 1/8th power (test shots while on the line). However, back to the beginning, I'll ask.</p>
<p>Rick,<br>
Thank you for the advice. I'm shooting with a 400mm f2.8 so I'm not right on the action. My most dramatic shots are head-on while in the red zone. The backlight on one end of the field almost makes it imposable to shoot and render any face. This equates to 2 x quarters without red zone coverage. But yes, I need to ask, and why I like to run things by you gentlemen before I shoot away. </p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Denis and Gary,</p>
<p> Thank you for your response. This is the reason I ask the masses before venturing off on my own. I asked the question because I’ve seen this technique used in other stadiums with multiple photographers. I’m the only photographer in the stadium and thus the students are not use to it. I also read how others use this technique on SportsShooter.com. I only asked if others have used this technique or dealt with this before?</p>
<p>Gary, yes I understand fast lenses (400mm f2.8 IMHO is pretty fast) with 3200 ISO, editing is a must. I am dealing with it... I’m trying to find outside the box solutions to improve my shots. Technology only goes so far and that’s when ingenuity kicks in. Thus the reason I use this forum to run “outside the box” thinking with other professionals.</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>We all know and understand high school football stadiums are less than desirable. Even more so in the end zone. Poor end zone lighting, combined with backlighting from the stadium itself creates horrible shadows within the facemask. Test shots (players preparing for a snap) with an inverted flash attached to a monopod have some awesome results. Do you all feel this will distract the players as I'm in the end zone, shooting as they are trying to score a touchdown? Anyone deal with this before? I have awesome access and a good reputation with the administration and athletic staff. I do not want to cripple this because of my 1/8 power 8fps strobe I have going on, ha ha. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>v/r<br /> Brian Barksdale<br /> Canon 1D Mark IIN w/ 400mm f2.8L, 550ex flash w/ off camera cord and battery pack</p>
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<p>Bob,<br>
With the newer bodies, anything is possible with higher ISO. I've only shot high school football and I agree with Dick, end zone shots are difficult unless you are head on and even then backlighting casts shadows on the players faces. IMHO one needs f2.8 or faster glass.</p>
<p>Dick,<br>
I asked this in another thread, but you talk about using flash in football. Do you think it distracts players? I'm hesitant to try it because I do not want to be the reason they miss a touchdown...<br>
<br />"I’m glad you mentioned this, even if it pertains to arenas. I’m shooting for a local high school and I’m worried about using my inverted flash (monopod w/ EF400mm f2.8L) for football in the end zone (poor lighting... go figure). The test shots I’ve taken with players standing on the field are phenomenal because it adds light under the facemask. In your humble opinion, you think it won’t distract them? I’m shooting 1/8th power at 8 FPS… I’m worried my mini strobe session will distract the players?"</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Marcus,<br>
I’m glad you mentioned this, even if it pertains to arenas. I’m shooting for a local high school and I’m worried about using my inverted flash (monopod w/ EF400mm f2.8L) for football in the end zone (poor lighting... go figure). The test shots I’ve taken with players standing on the field are phenomenal because it adds light under the facemask. In your humble opinion, you think it won’t distract them? I’m shooting 1/8th power at 8 FPS… I’m worried my mini strobe session will distract the players? </p>
<p> As for Alysia, I think you can buy a nice used 1D MKII N for less than $700 (Yes, only up to 3200 ISO, but IMHO it still takes beautiful pictures) and invest in the 70-200mm f2.8L. IS is really up to you, but in the long run I'm sure most of us would agree it's worth paying the extra money. When you have it, you use it... all the time.<br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Fellow Photographers,</p>
<p> After some additional research I found an article on SportShooter that had the answer. Highland wrote, "Another vote for mounting the flash beneath on a monopod. Skip the SuperClamp. Go to a hardware store, buy a simply L corner bracket with the legs about 2 in. They are predrilled with 1/4 in holes. Two hose clamps from the automotive section is all you need to hold it on. Use a 1/4 thumbscrew to attach an off shoe cord and your set. I mount mine upside down for the additional separation. Your cost = less than $5 and it saves the weight of the clamp/ballhead." This little trick worked great. Unfortunately the high school had some power issues and could not play the second half in the dark. Prepared as I was, I guess I'll have to go back and shoot again next week. Darn right:0) I'll post some pictures of my contraption next shoot.<br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=30821">http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=30821</a></p><div>
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<p>Gentlemen,<br>
Thank you for your time and patience in this forum. I wish I had a picture (the irony right:0) of the setup. I'm shooting a 7D on a 400mm F2.8L w/ monopod. So I'm trying to attach the flash bracket w/ upside down flash to the monopod, under the camera lens. <br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Mukul Dube,<br>
Forgive the ignorance, a "straight bracket," not sure what type of bracket that is with a monopod? Thank you for your time.<br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>Ellis,<br>
My words were not so clear. The flash is placed upside down attached to a monopod, under the camera, with an extension cord. The intent is to direct the flash up under the player’s helmet. I’ve seen this done before, but I haven’t had an opportunity to 1) ask and 2) see a picture of the bracket. <br>
v/r<br>
Brian</p>
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<p>Ladies and Gentlemen,<br>
Does anyone know of a good inverted flash bracket for a monopod, or have instructions to make one? I’d like to invert my Canon 550 EX Speedlight for night football. I have a flash battery pack w/ Canon flash cord.<br>
v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale</p>
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<p>First, I’m humbled chatting with the talent within this forum. Only recently have I started using photo.net for its true intended purpose… collaboration.</p>
<p>I was wondering if you gentlemen exclusively use large JPEG for your sports photography? Have you even used RAW? I have recently read some material on the benefits of RAW for tricky lighting? I just don’t see the buffer working very well? I use RAW for all my other events…. except sports, where I only use large JPEG.</p>
<p>Lastly, sorry for the late replies; a friend of the family’s wedding photographer bailed and they asked me to shoot their wedding on the beach. So lots of reading / studying and it went very well. I had a nice scotch when it was over! As I am not a professional photographer, I told them I would shoot for free. GREAT GREAT GREAT practice, enough to know I’ll stick with sports, ha ha.</p>
<p>Have a great week Gents!</p>
<p>v/r<br>
Brian Barksdale <br>
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Steve Hopkins,<br>
I agree not to shoot primarily from this low position. I do feel my better shots are along this even plane. This is especially true with little kids. Shooting “down” on them seams to make them even smaller than they already are.<br>
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Ron Andrews,<br>
Funny Picture, this is for sure. I have had that from event staff at the local high school I shoot for. It is always during a great play too. I have not shot much basketball before and I will use your advice this season. For the Pacers shot what camera / lens combination were you using? JPEG or RAW?<br>
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Jeff Spirer,<br>
Great shot! Lack of cage was the first thing I noticed. It looked like you had some great lighting? Was this the case? As you are a professional, any tips on gaining access to higher profile events?</p>
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What have you shot since the last time you posted?
in Sports
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