Shooting volleyball in a dark gym

[sl_parham]

Jim,

In the rule book that I have for High School volleyball, it doesn't state anything specifically about flash photography and whether or not it's allowed.

In the rule book that I have for College volleyball, it does mention flash photography and a couple of specific examples are worth mentioning here.

- No flash photography is allowed within six feet of the playing surface (the court).
- Flash photography beyond six feet is allowed unless it poses a risk or is disruptive to the players. Also, the coaches have the option to request there be no flash.

As a volleyball official, I don't mind flash photography unless the flash is going off across from me. If the timing is right (or wrong!), I'll be focused on the hands of the setter, to observe her contact with the ball, and then BAM! a flash of light temporarily blinds me and prevents me from seeing her have double contact with the ball or even carrying it. I know...that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I think it makes a point from an officials perspective.

BTW...I'm also a photographer and have attached one of the shots I took the other night at a local private school match. Used the Canon 7D and 70-200, without a flash.

Just my two cents worth.
Steve

Bodies: Canon 7D, Canon Rebel XT
Lenses: Sigma 28-70mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Canon EF 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 70-200mm f-2.8L IS USM

[Jim Bryant]

Yup.........the lighting in that gym is better than anything in Kitsap County where I reside here in Washington State. The WIAA handbook state that only those two sporting events (gymnastics and diving) cannot be shot with a flash. I've found that different schools' AD's make up their own rules as well.

[sl_parham]

I refereed in a gym last year that had black walls and a black ceiling! You talk about a dungeon! I was glad I was refereeing instead of taking photos (or trying to)!

[Jim Bryant]

man..talk about a black hole

[luv2design]

Glad to find this thread. I've had the toughest time getting good, crisp shots at my son's vball games, but finally had some really good luck with the 50 mm. Lousy lighting at that gym as well, but I have to say not as dark as that!

[Jim News]

I am very sorry, but I have to strongly disagree with you. I am a professional sports photographer and I spend a lot of my time shooting in dark gyms. During play, you never, EVER, use a flash unit of ANY kind. There is no need to have an official "rule", it's simply not done. As a photographer, you are not there to intrude on anyone in any way, which means when I've done my job correctly and to a high standard, no one even noticed I was there. Pitching your case the way you did to the officials and the Athletic Director, was in my opinion, very unprofessional. It is not their job to accomodate you, nor your editor.
If you cannot get the shots you need with the rig you have, get a different one. Cameras such as the Nikon D3 and D90 provide excellent performance in low light. If you must, leave your 2.8 zoom in the bag and go with a 50mm 1.4 and crop in post.
I shoot sports in gyms that are legendary for their poor lighting. Do you not realize that even a small flash can distract or obscure a player's vision. If that happens, if only for an instant, they are blinded when a ball is traveling at them at nearly 70 mph. NEVER FLASH DURING PLAY...EVER!

[teaking]

This is probably not my place to say, but The original poster from what I have seen is a brilliant photograper and this is proabably one solution he found to the problem as he felt it best to use hes longer lense as to not get in the players way by having to be too close. And from the sound of it the flash was minimal anyway.

Its different horses for different courses I guess.

[the photoball king]

thanks for the tips jim

i am shooting in a gym thats no better in december maybe worse, the ceiling is 40 to 50 foot high with just fluoros in the roof. i was there last december and really struggled with the equipment i had.

i think having to use flash brings the skill in picking the moment to press the shutter. so guys that just push the button and leave it down theres no skill in that.

i was shooting outdoors at a netball (like basketball but you cant run with the ball and no backboard)carnival and the only way i could get good shots at night was to use the flash.

got some crackers but had to get used to how far the flash would go.

if you want i could post some later after the carnival in december.

happy shooting everyone.

[IanWorthington]

Originally Posted by rpcrowe

Your images are really nice. However to avoid the "obvious" flash look, I suggest that you try a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro.

Demb Flash Products - Demb Flash Diffuser


The DFD Pro is great for just about any venue but is made to order for an assignment like your dance imagery.

By the way: The unit is reasonably priced, can be used with virtually any flash and Joe Demb will reply personally to answer any of your queries regarding his products. I have no connection with Joe demb except being a satisfied customer.

I'd be more than happy to be proved wrong but it seems to me that, unless you're quite close, even a large reflector on the flash would have very little effect. At the range I was shooting the dance work (mostly 70-300mm) I think it would still be a hard light. And dimmer too.

I do shoot bounce when I can (small rooms with a white wall or ceiling) but this venue (large space, high dark ceilings, and dark walls) wasn't suitable for that either.

And the only time my Stofen comes out these days is when I'm using the 10mm, or shooting through a diffuser.

i

[rightaboutme]

I just recently was able to take some pictures of a high school vball game where a friend of mine coaches. The best lens I had on me was my 85mm, no flash, but being that it was the first game I shot, I don't think they turned out too bad. As far as flash goes, as a former high school vball player, I can say that flash can be pretty distracting, but if it wasn't too obvious, we sort of learned to block out a lot of that stuff during play.

Here were a few of the shots I got during the game I was at recently.