Butterfly Stoke

[Twistedpep21]

At the home high school meets the bleachers for the parents are on one end of the pool and the blocks are at the other end , behind the blocks is glass sliding doors to outside. The pool lighting leaves alot to be desired. I think they may be florescent bulbs. I really struggle with lighting. Seems I either completely blow out the shot or it's too dark.
I never use a flash (coach really frown's on it).

Am I close on my settings?
Exif Data:
Canon Rebel XT
Exposure 1/200
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 110mm
ISO Speed 1600
No Flash

[warcrier]

Not a bad shot! Swim meets are difficult especially in doors (I've never been to an indoor pool that's well lit for photographers) Did you use manual? I've found it easier to shoot shutter priority so I can focus on catching the action and not changing my settings all the time.

[Twistedpep21]

I have just recently tried taking pictures on Manual and my results are all over the place. Lots to learn.

This picture was taken with the camera set on manual. I usually use Shutter Priority for most of the swimming shots but with the light coming in the glass doors from behind my pictures turn out too dark, so I tried manual and I think this shot is blown out.

[lil red bird]

remember it is easier to fix a over exposed picture than an under exposed one.

[warcrier]

Does your camera have an in-camera metering? That will help tons when shooting manual! Also you can change you metering mode to focus on you subject's lighting instead of the lighting in the whole picture (the mode is called "spot-metering" on my camera not sure what it would be on yours though). I will warn you the only problem with using that mode is that other parts of the picture may be blown out or very dark.

Parts of the picture do look a little blown out but it's not too bad. You can go in photogshop and play with contrast and levels and that should help a good bit.

[Jim Bryant]

You did pretty good under the lighting and photo restrictions.

[Twistedpep21]

Thank you all for the input. I just got a Canon 60D this week, I can't wait to try again

[Chip]

Backlight subjects are always tough. Spot metering on the subject can help at times, which will likely lead to a blown out background. (Life is full of trade offs. )

If the light in this pool isn't even - more/different light at the far end than at the near end - then the "settings" appropriate for one end of the pool will be different than the settings at the other end. Shooting in manual in this type of situation will be tough if you try to take multiple shots of the same swimmer as he/she swims towards you. If you want to shoot in manual, maybe try getting the settings right for one particular spot in the pool and take shots as the swimmers pass through that spot?

Also, does your processing software have a "shadows" slider? If so, you could use that to lift the shadows a but on your subject in this shot.

Enjoy the new toy!

[Jim Bryant]

Get down on deck level so that you won't be shooting the top of their heads. What I mean is to either sit or lay. I know you'll get wet, but what the hell, you'll dry off and will teach you about various angles to shoot from.

[EOBeav]

I've shot at a pool before, and it can be tricky. Don't be afraid to use your aperture priority mode for the changing conditions. Also, don't forget about the Al Servo mode, which changes focus with the movement rather than locking on and holding while your subject moves out of focus.