Ultimate frisbee

[Kevin Held What]

Howdy,

For your consideration: One of my earliest shots with a DSLR. It was taken on my second day with the camera. General criticism of everything is appreciated. I've only been at this a short while, but it seems like sports photography is going to be what I do the most (we're entering the Spring tournament series, and I'm also the team webmaster and Media committee head...I'm expected to do this sort of thing) so I'd like to try to get the basics hammered out quickly to produce the best possible images for my teammates.

I live in Minnesota, and when it gets cold out, we play indoors.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinheld/2210364939/" title="The Lost Star by Kevin Held What, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2210364939_938b54102c.jpg" width="500" height="350" alt="The Lost Star" /></a>

Thanks for viewing guys.

Exif:
Nikon D40/ kit lens
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 26 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV

[netbymatt]

Great choice on shutter speed. You managed to capture the motion, but still have the players in focus.

I don't know how you're planning on using the photo, but you may want to break the conventional rule of thirds with this one and crop it with the players in the center. Having space for the motion to "move" into is always a good idea, but in this case, with all of the players behind the action, it looks a little distracting because it is completely empty.

[RexK_Cozumel]

yeah I agree with netbymatt on this one there is such a strong contrast between the right and left sides of the photo because of how crowded and busy the right is and how empty the left is. I would crop into square format if I were you.

[Kevin Held What]

Thanks for the input guys! I appreciate it.

[ding]

I live in Minnesota, and when it gets cold out, we play indoors.



When it gets cold here in Indiana, we play Ultimate indoors, too. But we've at least got some rubber grass to run on! How do you lay out on that court!?

Ditto what netbymatt says about the shutter speed. I like the motion in the disc.

I think I'd compose the players a little differently, which would maybe help with the empty space issue, too. It looks like your handler is dumping the disc, and you're looking up the field. Is that accurate? I'd move a little to the left so you're shooting at an angle to the players in the stack. You'll still have a lot of depth with the people, but they won't be one behind the other in the line.

I really like shooting Ultimate. I've been trying to get a shot of the disc just after it's been released, so it's floating in front of the handler's fingers. We're always playing at night, though, so it's hard to get a fast enough shutter speed. Guess I'll keep tryin'...

[Kevin Held What]

Answer: You lose lots of skin.

I was shooting across the field actually...It was a swing, with the handlers in power position and then he hucked. I angled a bit because I tried to get the cutter taking off too but it didn't work. :(

I've only shot ultimate twice so far. I'm going to the High Tide tournament in Georgia and I'm hoping to get some great shots there. I just ordered two new lenses that should help as well. I've got a few of the hover shots, they're hard though. I'm hoping my 1.8 will work for that. It definitely should outside.

[daft_biker]

Playing frisbee is a sport?:eek: How do you score?

I think the expression on the guy about to throw is good and the selected shutter speed works well but I've no idea what he's doing....passing, trying to score???? For me this shot only tells half the story and I'd love to see the other half....a goal or someone to pass to perhaps?

[Kevin Held What]

Hey Daft,

Thanks for the comments brother.

Ultimate is an endurance sport that involves passing, catching and running. It's 7 on 7 outside, and 5 on 5 inside (Unless you have lots of space). Each point starts with the defense "pulling" to the offense, which is like a kick off in football. Teams move the disc up the field by passing, but they cannot run once they've caught the disc. They have to plant and maintain a pivot foot like in basketball. The offensive goal is to catch the disc in the endzone at the end of each side of the field. The defensive goal is to be on offense. Possession of the disc is lost if: the disc is intercepted by the Defense, it hits the ground (even one blade of grass), or if you "stall out". You have 10 seconds to throw the disc, as your defender counts "Stalling One...Two...Three...etc". It's a non-contact sport, but there are a lot of collisions...With other players and with the ground, depending on how intense you are. Another thing of note is that Ultimate is self officiated, even in the highest levels of competition. Meaning, we don't have refs. Instead, the entire game is based around a principle called "Spirit of the Game", which basically means you respect and enjoy your teammates and your opponents. Competition with respect and friendship. It's one of my favorite aspects of the game.

There are two positions in Ultimate, cutters and handlers. Cutters are like receivers and run around down field. Handlers stay in the backfield and are like quarterbacks. The usual set up is 3 handlers and 4 cutters.

In this picture, the 3 handlers are pictured. The far guy in blue threw a pass to the dude with the fro, who threw it to last guy. He's winding up for a deep throw or a "Huck". I tried to catch the cutters in the shot too, but they were way gone. He ended up ripping it about 20 feet up into the wall behind the endzone. He's one of my best friends who just transfered to a different school, and a good player to boot.

If you want to see some ultimate in action, check out these:
University of Wisconsin - Madison Defensive play (http://www.ultivillage.com/Ultimate-Frisbee-Videos/Clip-of-the-Day/Wisconsin---Feldman-D.html)
the Wisconsin Hodags are the defending national college champs. They're considered the best college team ever, dominating last year and this year. I think their record last year was like 100+ wins to 1 loss.


Carleton vs. Colorado (http://www.ultivillage.com/Ultimate-Frisbee-Videos/Clip-of-the-Day/CUT-vs-Colorado.html)
The Carleton (College) Ultimate Team or "CUT" is the most historically successful team in the nation, with both more Nationals wins and appearances than any other team. Colorado was in the National finals last year. Both good teams. Carleton is in my section, and they beat the crap out of us every year.

Sorry...I love ultimate, and sharing it, haha.

Enjoy!

[daft_biker]

Thanks for the info:cool: I look forward to more shots:D

Will have to see if I can find a shot to post of my fave sport too ;)