Shooting volleyball in a dark gym

[Jim Bryant]

I was assigned to shoot a volleyball game last week for the paper. While taking test shots during warm-ups the refs informed me that flash photography was not allowed during the match. I told the officials there was no way to photograph the game without a flash in this particular gym. I had to finally tell them, that according to the WIAA league refs handbook of rules, flash is prohibited in only two high sports----diving and gymnastics. So, if I don't get pix for the paper, you're gonna to have to deal with our sports editor

I pulled out my laptop, downloaded the images and showed both coaches, the officials and the school’s AD of those images taken without flash (ugh) and ones using a little fill flash. Since it was not set on full power and didn’t bother the girls during warm-ups they agreed to let me use a flash until one of coaches complained, which to my surprise no one did

I tried taking pictures before in the same gym. ISO 3200 and was getting f2.8 at 100th..not good! So I left and the sports editor complained to school AD about bad lighting and not being able to get shots without using a flash.

I used my 580EZ, set on manual at 1/8 power and camera set on manual at 250th and lens 2.8. Got some great shots and the amount of flash put out didn't bother the girls at all.

Most of the shots were taken with a 70-200mm with the exception of one, which was taken with a 300mm.

Date: 10/21/09
Time: 7:20:58 PM
Latitude:
Longitude:
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Serial #:
Firmware: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Frame #: 718
Lens (mm): 135
ISO: 1000
Aperture: 2.8
Shutter: 1/250
Exp. Comp.: 0.0
Flash Comp.:
Program: Manual
Focus Mode:
White Bal.:
ICC Profile: Adobe RGB (1998) (embedded)
Contrast:
Sharpening:
Quality:

[jdepould]

How the !@#$ do they play sports in a gym that dark?

[Jim Bryant]

To their advantage I suppose The AD called it Miser lighting...............

[Sime™]

Hell... welcome to my world! "What do you mean you're not going to get shots to press of my amazing artist that's in the dark and backlit with purple and blue!!"

crikey

[IanWorthington]

Aside: Is the pink nail polish part of the uniform I wonder?

I was shooting a school dance festival in very poor light recently. No interior lighting at all: the only illumination coming from some small windows high up in one wall.

No problems with using flash for me luckily. And though I hate on camera flash is was the only option I could see.

I'm not too displeased with the results. The flash is a bit more obvious than I would have liked in some of them, but fills just fine in others.

A few samples at:

Dance - a set on Flickr

[rpcrowe]

Originally Posted by IanWorthington

I was shooting a school dance festival in very poor light recently. No interior lighting at all: the only illumination coming from some small windows high up in one wall.

No problems with using flash for me luckily. And though I hate on camera flash is was the only option I could see.

I'm not too displeased with the results. The flash is a bit more obvious than I would have liked in some of them, but fills just fine in others.

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.

[Jim Bryant]

Yes, all pink.....the game entree fees, and all auction and t-shirt money collected went to breast cancer research. I use omni-directional diffused light domes.

[Taallyn]

Time to get a 1DMkIV.

[Rahul]

I liked particularly the 4 shot where 2 gals are blocking the ball, and their eyes are closed as in when some thing is about to hit the face. A very natural reaction and good capture.

[yltimo]

Nice article - appreciated it cause I'm going tonight to do a senior night volleyball game. The lighting sounds better where I am - and I can pull it off with out a flash - I use the 70-200 lens 2.8 and bump my shutter speed as high as I dare. I just switched to a Nikon D300 - so I'm going to see how raising my ISO a bit higher could help - as long as I can balance the noise. Sure appreciate all the great input I gain from you PRO's.