Another swim pic

[dlambert]

Ok, I promised to throw one of my swimming photos up here for critique, so here goes. In trying to find a photo worth posting at all, it became pretty clear where I'm struggling with these shots. As MOmilkman observed, lighting isn't great in these venues (though it's probably above average as far as indoor sporting events go), and I don't have the big glass I really need to keep a high shutter speed at any sort of distance.

I picked this shot because it's one of the few freestyle shots where the swimmer is decently-visible, and was swimming in a near-side lane, so I wasn't zoomed as far.

Exif: Canon 30D, 55-250 F/4-F/5.6 at 100mm. ISO 1250, F/5, 1/400, Tv, no flash.

I guess as far as critique, I'd like to hear feedback in a couple areas. First, I noticed that color and white balance seem to vary pretty dramatically in my swimming shots. I need to take some steps to calibrate for this when I go to a meet, I guess. In this case, I'd like to know if the color looks natural (maybe a little too saturated?).

Next, I'd like feedback on general image quality. Since I started with a high-ISO RAW file, quality takes a bit of a hit right off the bat. In this case, I'm interested in whether this is within acceptable bounds after noise reduction & sharpening, or if it's just junk. I can also see movement in the arm -- is this distracting, or can I get away with a little blur?

Thanks.

[kylethemiller]

to be honest i think the pic looks fine as color and focus go. It's just lacking interest to me.

Try to find a new angle that tells a better story. if its the breast stroke or fly a head on shot straight down the lane works great. But in this photo i would have moved even with the face and got the arm coming over like they are looking through the hole of the arch.

[MOmilkman]

I don't really have anything to add considering I'm such a rookie at poolside but I do like the overall coloring in the photo with no flash used. I can certainly see the difference now between flash and no flash in a dimly lit pool setting.
Next time I go I might opt for several shots without the flash as well.