What’s Your Preference?

Cherokee Maiden · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 03:11 PM

Hello, all thanks for looking. I need a little (LOTS actually) of help with my PBR shooting mistakes. Here is the typical shot...Obviously the bluuuur is what I am mainly seeking critique for. Thanks so much for the advise!

Iso 800
Aperture 4.5
Focal Length 125
AP Mode
Shutter Speed 1/30 (Sorry, Is this all?)

Nathan deGargoyle · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 03:36 PM

You need to tell us the EXIF if we're to help you.

Jim Bryant · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 06:38 PM

If you want to stop the action, then 1/30 of a second is not going to do it. You might have to bump up the ISO to 1600 if you are shooting with a slow zoom lens. Most of the indoor action I shoot, I put my camera on manual setting and shoot a f2.8 at 1/500 at ISO 800. Maybe with the gear you're using, I see a higher ISO will helkp. Try putting your camera on (M) manuel, the fstop at your lowest setting and shutter speed at 250 and see what you get. Digital is really light forgiving, even more so than film. You can adjust for that later in post processing. What program are you using for that??????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherokee Maiden

Hello, all thanks for looking. I need a little (LOTS actually) of help with my PBR shooting mistakes. Here is the typical shot...Obviously the bluuuur is what I am mainly seeking critique for. Thanks so much for the advise!

Iso 800
Aperture 4.5
Focal Length 125
AP Mode
Shutter Speed 1/30 (Sorry, Is this all?)

Cherokee Maiden · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 10:51 PM

Jim, thanks so much for helping me, I really appreciate it. My love is sports photography and last night was my first attempt, and was I ever bummed when I failed miserably! I use Photoshop 7. It works fine. I'm afraid I won't be able to try the "bull action" for another month or so if I'm lucky. Again, bummer! I did try switching the ISO to 1600 and I personally didn't see much of a difference, I can post a pic of that one also, if it could help you. Thanks!

Jim Bryant · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 10:57 PM

Go ahead and post another one. You can still go into Photoshop - images-adjustments-curves and try that application. It's much better than auto levels or levels. As you have more tonal range you can deal with. Still shooting at 1/30 you're still gonna get blur. Next time shoot manual, at 1/125 and 1/250. Maybe that will help.

Read my posting on Tutorials - shooting sports. It might help you some in that area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherokee Maiden

Jim, thanks so much for helping me, I really appreciate it. My love is sports photography and last night was my first attempt, and was I ever bummed when I failed miserably! I use Photoshop 7. It works fine. I'm afraid I won't be able to try the "bull action" for another month or so if I'm lucky. Again, bummer! I did try switching the ISO to 1600 and I personally didn't see much of a difference, I can post a pic of that one also, if it could help you. Thanks!

Digidave · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Next time shoot manual, at 1/125 and 1/250.

Assuming Cherokee Maiden was at the largest Aperture(f/4.5), in order for them to get to 1/125, they would have to up their ISO to 3200 & 6400 to get to 1/250. Unfortunately, that would create a grainy looking photo. Depends on the camera of course, but on most cameras that would not be good.

Cherokee Maiden, if you really want to gets serious about indoor sports, you'll have to spend a good amount of money on a better lens.Sorry!! But you are reaching the limitations of your camera & lens combination.

Of course, this is just my opinion & others may chime in with better ideas.

Cherokee Maiden · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 06:35 PM

Jim and Dave, You are both right. I have ALOT to learn, I don't think that will ever stop! Thanks for your time, I sooo appreciate it! Dave, I am looking into another lens, mine will only allow me to open up to 4.5. Ughhh! Oh well, Live, learn , and don't quit! Jim, I will be checking out those tutorials, thanks! Thanks again boys!

karim · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 01:14 PM

hi.

by looking at the picture i can see that every thing is blur, not only the bull. so i can assume that you are not using a tripod (or monopod can do good as well). Which I think you need it, at least to have everything clear but not the bull.

And just keep in mind that any shot bellow 1/60 will need the support of a tripod. I use my monopod for everything cause my hands are not stable at alllll. Even if im 26 YO

.

c6cowboy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 04:24 AM

I shoot a fair amount of livestock events. Indoor and outdoor. I was at a cutting horse show today indoors. I echo the sentiments of the above. To get quality photos of some thing moving as fast as a bull, you will need to shoot at least 1/250-750, unless using a strobe/flash. I also recommend fast glass, shooting at f/2.8 is almost mandatory. All of this requires significant investment. My best recommendation is to shoot outdoor rodeo events where you can get adequate shutter speeds w/o having to use fast glass or strobes.

Check this out: shot w/D80, 24-70mm f/2.8 @ ISO 200, 60mm, f/4.0, 1/800

Homebrew · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:20 PM

Heh. I was at a PBR even just a couple months ago. All my shots turned out poorly in part because I wasn't allowed to use my long lens. 55 MM from where I was sitting wasn't going to cut it; maybe next year.

I mention this only to mention another complication/opportunity of shooting that particular tour. They go absolutely insane with the lights. They run huge strobes that pulse along with rock music. It's not that apparent on TV but it seemed pretty huge a contrast in the arena. For reference here is an amateur video taken towards the lights.

For a seasoned pro, this must be a nightmare in terms of getting a perfect shot. For the happy amateur, this might be an opportunity to get an occasional decent shot. For some of the lesser bulls and lower-ranked riders, try the ISO 800 again, but as others have said ramp up your exposure to 1/250 or better. Let the card fill as the bull turns away from you and take the shots as it turns toward you. See if you can take enough pictures quickly enough to get one or two while the strobes are on and you've got the bull and rider in profile or the bull head-on. You should be able to tell on the LCD if these shots are working (the non-strobed shots will be very dark). If it is, apply the idea to the bulls and riders you care about (no offense to second-tier PBR riders and bulls, but hey).

At any rate, I suspect that'll be my strategy when the event comes to NYC next year, unless the lens fairy visits me with a 70-200 2.8 or something like that.

If anyone else has thoughts on this of course I'd welcome correction. I simply thought of the idea while I was crying in my seats, a 400 mm lens in my bag and a security officer over my shoulder.