Middle School Basketball

[dhyravy]

It is once again the golden season for those of us in the Bluegrass state. Since the HS varsity games have not yet started, the paper wanted some shots from a middle school game between the two locals. Needless to say this is a big rivalry and always results in some great games at any level. Shots are at ISO 800, 1/320, f2.8 using 2 Sunpak 383s set at 1/4 power mounted on clamps about 10 rows up in the stands and fired with RF triggers.

[JSPhoto]

Not bad, I like you light setup too. Our gir;s season started 2 weeks ago abd the boys starts this week even though the state finals in football are Friday & Sat. I have a couple girls games this week (tonight & Friday) at a couple different locations. I'll be curious if the one has done anything with their lighting yet...another of those dingy yellow gyms

JS

[livin4lax09]

nice colors, have you tried bouncing the light? it gives a more even lighting compared to direct, and you don't get the harsh shadows.

here's some experience I've had with both types.

[dhyravy]

Thanks JS. I started using the small flashes last year and they work great. In most MS/HS gyms I use them at 1/4 power which gives me at least 3 pops before they need to recycle. For the larger venues (I have used them in Diddle Arena at WKU) I have to go to 1/2 or full power and a recycle from a full pop is about 2-3 seconds. The main advantage for me is portability. I can be set up in under 10 minutes and tear down in 5. The other big item is that they require no power or other wiring.

[dhyravy]

Brent,
I have in fact tried a bounce, but with small flashes in the larger HS gyms there really isn't enough power. If I bounce at full power I can get an honest ISO 800 at 2.8 but have to struggle to keep the shutter at 1/200. I'd rather have 1/320 or 1/400 so I try to cross light and minimize the shadows.

[Homer]

It's been said already about bouncing the flash oof the ceiling. Have you tried doing this with your ISO set higher. I just recently shot a middle school game at ISO 3200, f/2.8, with a shutter of 1/400 with the bounced flash. Ran them through noiseware and was very happy with the result. As long as the exporsure is good you'll have minimal noise, even at those high ISO's.