Hoops using bounced strobes

[jamesfotodoc]

Hi, first post on pr.com. Does nayone use strobes to shoot indoor sports? Would love to get feedback and ideas improving technique.
Here are a few examples.
http://homepage.mac.com/jamespizarro...toAlbum19.html

Thanks

James
most shot at 5.0 -5.6 200, iso 200-400

[Old Timer]

Hi, first post on pr.com. Does nayone use strobes to shoot indoor sports? Would love to get feedback and ideas improving technique.
Here are a few examples.
http://homepage.mac.com/jamespizarro...toAlbum19.html

Thanks

James
most shot at 5.0 -5.6 200, iso 200-400

James there was a good bit of discussion about this topic in post a few weeks ago when hoops were in full swing. You may want to take a look at soom of those earlier post to get the views and tech advice from them. Indoor sports are a challenge in poorly lit gyms and most of us would like to avoid using direct flash if possible, however lacking more powerful strobes that will allow bounce in very large areas we will revert to it when we have to. You seem to have gotten some nice results. What technique did you use?

[jamesfotodoc]

James there was a good bit of discussion about this topic in post a few weeks ago when hoops were in full swing. You may want to take a look at soom of those earlier post to get the views and tech advice from them. Indoor sports are a challenge in poorly lit gyms and most of us would like to avoid using direct flash if possible, however lacking more powerful strobes that will allow bounce in very large areas we will revert to it when we have to. You seem to have gotten some nice results. What technique did you use?

Hi Thanks for the input.
I used White Lightning 1600 s bounced off one wall or ceiling. I triggered these using Pocket Wizards and shot at 1/200 @ 5.0-5.6 iso 200-400.


James
I will look at the old posts.
Thanks again.

[Old Timer]

Hi Thanks for the input.
I used White Lightning 1600 s bounced off one wall or ceiling. I triggered these using Pocket Wizards and shot at 1/200 @ 5.0-5.6 iso 200-400.


James
I will look at the old posts.
Thanks again.

Interesting, what kind of recycle time do you get. I have used on camera bounce with the SB800 but it takes full power and with the recycle time it means one shot and your done for 4 or 5 seconds, The action has passed you by by then.

[jamesfotodoc]

Interesting, what kind of recycle time do you get. I have used on camera bounce with the SB800 but it takes full power and with the recycle time it means one shot and your done for 4 or 5 seconds, The action has passed you by by then.

Hello,
You are right the recycle time can be an issue but it is around 2-3 sec @ full power. I feel it is better to get few great shots. It helps me become a bit more selective and slows me down which is alway a good thing.
But I agree one tends to miss a shot or 2.


James.
Would like to know your settings and positions at the game.

[Old Timer]

James.
Would like to know your settings and positions at the game.

As I stated before I have struggled with this problem. I tried several methods looking for something that worked this year. This was the first season shooting with the D70, that gave me a few more options. I always try to shot from just to the left of right of the basket in the end zone. Depending on the depth of the end zone I have some option as to focal length and f stops. When shooting available light only it's always f2.8 and at ISO 1600 or 1250 at around 1/320 never lower than 1/250. With a fairly well lit gym and direct flash I up it to 1/500 and set the SB800 flash on 1/32 or 1/16 power which give fairly good light with out blacking out the background. With the on camera flash bounce I have to shoot on full power at 1/250 and f2.8. The whole key here the amount of available light that the venue affords you. I don't by any means consider myself an expert and these are just a few methods that I try and hope that one will work for that night and situation.

[jamesfotodoc]

As I stated before I have struggled with this problem. I tried several methods looking for something that worked this year. This was the first season shooting with the D70, that gave me a few more options. I always try to shot from just to the left of right of the basket in the end zone. Depending on the depth of the end zone I have some option as to focal length and f stops. When shooting available light only it's always f2.8 and at ISO 1600 or 1250 at around 1/320 never lower than 1/250. With a fairly well lit gym and direct flash I up it to 1/500 and set the SB800 flash on 1/32 or 1/16 power which give fairly good light with out blacking out the background. With the on camera flash bounce I have to shoot on full power at 1/250 and f2.8. The whole key here the amount of available light that the venue affords you. I don't by any means consider myself an expert and these are just a few methods that I try and hope that one will work for that night and situation.

I too have been frustrated with shooting in gyms that have been too dim. That is why I have gone to the strobes mounted on stands. It is not perfect and I would prefer to have the strobes permanently mounted on the ceiling. I am in the process of trying get donations from various companies for the strobes. Thanks for the input.

James