Environment usage

[Depechie]

Before I ask the question, here is the current photo :

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/depechie/2081310701/" title="2007-12-02 - Examen @ Mortsel_398 by Depechie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2081310701_995fb83ba7.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="2007-12-02 - Examen @ Mortsel_398" /></a>

Materials at my disposal: Nikon D40x and SB-600

I was wondering if anyone could help me get 'more' out of the current setting.
So here are my 2 questions :

1. I have a huge problem with the lighting in our gym ( only 2 windows in the back as you can see in the picture ) ! So how can I get a better result without the use of advanced material ? ( I'm a hobby photographer so I don't own external lighting stands ) But I do have a SB-600 ( not used in this picture ).

2. How can I make the action more vivid ? Let me explain, as you can see in the picture, the action is capture perfectly but it all feels so static.

Any thoughs ?

[jsanders]

Hi,

What you see here is that your picture looks very static. Your object is in the middle of the picture. And you have some elements which have nothing to do with the picture. For example, the people in the background and the person on the left side.
So in this case cropping could do a lot. But other options is to take this pictures from different angles, from the side of from som low angle (feel free to lay down on the floor).

About the lighting, there are a few options:
-Try to use higher ISO values
- Keep low ISO but try to use a lower aperture.
-Did you set the right whitebalance?
-Do you use the Balanced Light option off your SB600??

[Stephonomon]

I'm excited that you have the SB-600. You could place the light to either side of the individuals with the windows to their front or back. This would give a dynamic look to the picture. I'd also shoot from below to make the fighters look more powerful. I also agree that you should limit the background distractions.

[baron]

I agree with what was already said above... I'd also add that if you want to show some lively action, you can throw your camera into shutter-priority mode and increase the exposure time a little. With some experimentation and timing, this should keep most of the fighters in focus while their punches and/or kicks get blurred out conveying quick movement.

[Transistor]

The problem with using flash is that it will inevitably "freeze" the action... great for some things, but if you're going for a blur it's not so fantastic.
I have no idea if you've tried shooting without the flash in there, but it may be worth a shot, even if it means bumping the ISO up to 1600 and running some noise removal on it afterwards. If you have a 50mm 1.8 prime it will help if theres simply not enough light, but more importantly it will allow you to get a bit of blur into the fighters limbs to get a sense of some action.
There are some other options if you'd prefer to use the flash. I'd consider getting it off camera (a remote trigger from ebay will set you back $30 or so) and getting a little more creative with your lighting in that regard. If you haven't already, have a look at strobist to see some of the results you can end up getting.
Apart from that, play with angles, take lots of shots, and see what you end up with.

[jdepould]

Slow-sync flash will allow some motion blur, while still keeping a well-lit image. I'd suggest getting the Nikon gels (or making your own), because white balance is a huge pain when you're mixing fluorescents and a strobe.

With this particular image, you're just not close enough. There's way too much empty space around the subjects.

Here's a similar situation, with the subjects filling the frame (click for full res):
http://www.pbase.com/jdepould/image/93106329/small.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/jdepould/image/93106329)

It's a lot more dynamic and engaging, because their expressions are clear, and it's not a generic head-on or side-on snapshot.

[Canadian Mum]

Definitely frame the fighters closer... lose the large empty space on the left. Try taking the picture from near the ground... or higher above the fighters... experiment with getting the expressions on their faces.

I don't know what your "position" in the dojo is, but would you be able to request they work in the area closer to the windows to give a little more natural light? Do you train in this club? Would you be allowed to bow onto the mats and take the picture from another angle?

I train in a dojo and often will "request" that fighters move to a space where I can get a better photograph. I try and use the natural light as much as I can because the overhead lights are terrible for photography!! I help instruct classes, so I do have a lot of leeway in where I can go, which helps immensly!!

[Depechie]

Well people, that are all great tips !

Thanks for all the information, next time I'll try out most of them to see if I can make some change.
Getting closer is something most of you suggested, so I will try that for sure !!

@Canadian Mum: Yes I train in that dojo, but with this type of events, I can't 'order' the fighter to move to another place ;)