Best shots for Bowling

[SmokedIronMade]

Hello, I'm pretty new at this and would like to know which would be the appropiated setting for take shots in a bowling tournament and what should i look for?

Thanks!

[ELAY]

I'm not a bowler, but here is a big gallery (http://www.pba.com/media/photogallery/photogallery.asp?Type=1) of shots from the PBA site -- might be something to get you going.

I had a quick look (ignore the first link, all the shots feature a Cheetah for some reason!), and most of the shots seem to be of the moment of releasing the ball, or else the body language of the bowler after the pins go down (or don't).

I would also think the strong diagonal lines of the alleys offer some potential, though I think you are going to find lighting challenging. You may want to go the alley beforehand to scout out vantage points and lighting conditions.

Good luck,

EL

[SmokedIronMade]

I'm not a bowler, but here is a big gallery (http://www.pba.com/media/photogallery/photogallery.asp?Type=1) of shots from the PBA site -- might be something to get you going.


I saw some of them, but i probably won't have the chance to stay in front of the players, so i will need to take pictures from a side.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

[Digidave]

I had a quick look (ignore the first link, all the shots feature a Cheetah for some reason!), and most of the shots seem to be of the moment of releasing the ball, or else the body language of the bowler after the pins go down (or don't).

I would imagine that is to be certain that you don't have your flash go off as the bowler is in the middle of their approach. That would be quite disturbing! Once they release the ball, it doesn't really matter. Also, they are pros & are used to having people gawk at them while they bowl. So having somebody standing off to side getting ready to snap a shot is common to them. Where as, if you try that at the local bowling alley, you'll probably end up with a size 12 bowling shoe up your....., well you know.:D

[SmokedIronMade]

if you try that at the local bowling alley, you'll probably end up with a size 12 bowling shoe up your....., well you know.:D

I will try it at a local bowling alley, none of them are professional, so i will be extra careful to don't end with a shoe on me or worst a ball... :D

[Digidave]

I will try it at a local bowling alley, none of them are professional, so i will be extra careful to don't end with a shoe on me or worst a ball... :D

Wise choice my friend! :cool:

[clockdoc]

Here are a few snapshots I took of my nephew bowling (note the use of lane bumpers) . The first one is with flash and the second is using the lights in the alley. Typically these lights are angled away from the bowlers so the available light level is very low. We were fortunate to have the end lanes so I could walk down the alley a bit for a better frontal angle.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8359753@N07/917624142/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/917624142_db6060513d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04389" /></a>

Here is one with available light (ISO 400, 1/50 sec. f/2.0):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8359753@N07/917624250/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/917624250_b8a2ba2b86.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04396" /></a>
You may be better off shooting some team group shots if the action shots don't work out as well as planned. If the alley owner is agreable, you could have them throw some practice balls on an end lane for the shots like I did with my nephew. Good luck and post some of your results.

[Digidave]

Typically these lights are angled away from the bowlers so the available light level is very low.

That's a good point & will undoubtedly be the biggest obstacle. Slow shutter speed means motion blur or high ISO means digital noise.:(

[s9am_me]

lights are really low in most bowling places. Some won't even let you use a flash at all at any time during the tournament. Here's my attempt using the kit lens w/o flash. Most of the shots were blurry, I got a few good ones in where the person stood still for 1/15th of a second. Those are usually when they set up for their stance in the beginning or right after they bowl. I had my ISO set at 800 as 1600 was too much noise for my taste. You can maybe try panning your camera with the bowler from the side to try and keep him/her in focus for an action shot. Just some ideas

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/go_e_mail_me/cafe6a38.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/go_e_mail_me/5a5a3e54.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/go_e_mail_me/29b7adfb.jpg

[SmokedIronMade]

Well, the tournament just finished and here are what i think are my best shots (btw, not as good as i would want).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smokedironmade/955630839/" title="Intercambio de fotos"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/955630839_6d4dd6aa1e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="En camino" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smokedironmade/956449694/" title="Intercambio de fotos"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/956449694_1394f03cc7.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Lanzamiento con estilo" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smokedironmade/956379286/" title="Intercambio de fotos"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/956379286_5ea4a28b00.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Primer Lanzamiento" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smokedironmade/956538688/" title="Intercambio de fotos"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/956538688_8f9264a8ac.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Las bolas" /></a>

So, tell me what do you think about them?

Thanks!

[SmokedIronMade]

And here are a few more ...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1309/923035943_10af7cd91a_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/923870126_a8f99eaac3_o.jpg

[clockdoc]

Glad to see that you were able to get a few frontal shots from the end alley. Without flash, you did well. I like your shot of the colorful bowling balls. With a little cropping, that would make a great abstract shot. Were you able to get any group shots of the teams as well?

[Digidave]

All in all, they're not to bad. The first one is pretty darn good under those lighting conditions. I too like the bowling ball shot. Well done.:)

[SmokedIronMade]

Glad to see that you were able to get a few frontal shots from the end alley. Without flash, you did well. I like your shot of the colorful bowling balls. With a little cropping, that would make a great abstract shot. Were you able to get any group shots of the teams as well?

Yes, but the easy one got some blurry, so i'm shame of myself for that.

Thanks for the comments!