Newcomer's First Post

[Mackinbiner]

It looks like I've stumbled across an excellent site to learn and share my love for sports photography. I've dabbled in football, volleyball, baseball and am currently spending lots of time with basketball. I use a Nikon D70 with a Nikon SB-600 flash which I've been bouncing off of gymnasium ceilings. My favorite lens right now is a 50mm 1.4. I'm working at acquiring Pocket Wizards to have more flexibility in my lighting options and am especially interested in learning more about off-camera lighting. I look forward to learning from everyone here. Here are a few recent samples, all uncropped.

[tufcat]

I think all of those shots look good. I would have thought that a gym ceiling would be a little high to bounce a flash off of, but it looks (to me) like you have things dialed in pretty good.

[retroactiv]

Looks great to me, welcome.

[Jimmy B]

Welcome Mack, good looking shots. There are plenty of folks here to give you input on your flash stuff. I am throwing out a welcome!
Jimmy B

[ciddog91]

Welcome and Nice Photos.....

Phil

[BFiredup]

Great shots....hit the action right on....

And Welcome....

[skydiver6]

I love your shots! The 4th one is my favorite. Perfect timing! Don't you hate how their shooting arm always get in the way of their face?!

[Mackinbiner]

I think all of those shots look good. I would have thought that a gym ceiling would be a little high to bounce a flash off of, but it looks (to me) like you have things dialed in pretty good.

Thanks. I was also skeptical of being able to bounce the flash until I tried it. It adds just enough light to make a difference. Oddly, I still occasionally get a shadow like I did in the 4th photo.

[retroactiv]

what settings did you use on your flash?

[dhyravy]

Welcome to the forum and nice shots. Bouncing an on-camera flash is an option if you have a fast enough lens and only need to enhance the ambient. Off camera flash will help a lot in dealing with the shadows you mention. HS gyms are tough places to shoot and second only to HS football and soccer fields for bad lighting. Look forward to watching your progress.

[Mackinbiner]

what settings did you use on your flash?

I use TTL mode on the flash and usually set the exposure compensation at -1.0. I have the flash pointing almost straight up toward the ceiling. I set the camera on shutter priority at 1/400 or 1/500 and that gives me an aperture of 2.0 to 3.5.