volleyball strobe setup?

[sgriggs2006]

Hey all!
It has been a while since I posted! Now, fall sports are in full swing, and volleyball will be back on the agenda.
Anyone using stobes for volleyball? I'm using them for basketball (last year) and enjoyed them....But, I was using the end of the court (elevated stage) for my strobes last year.

Where are folks setting up for volleyball? I can use 4, but prefer to use just 2.

Curious!
Cheers,
Sue.

[Photo-John]

Anyone? Someone help Sue out, please. I know there are other volleyball shooters here. I, however, am not one of them.

[sgriggs2006]

Photo-John!
No worries, I actually used my brain (and lots of other strobist intelligence!!), and figured I'd try something!
Hung a single Vivitar 285 on 1/4 power at half court on the wall above the bleachers. Used my cowboy triggers and shazaam! very pleased w/ the results! Was able to shoot either side of the gym.
Shot two teams last night and tonight, and got useful shots.
Will post some shortly!
cheers,
sue.

[Photo-John]

Well, that's good. I guess we get to learn from you then

I can't believe you got enough light from the Vivitar all the way from the side of the gym. What ISO and lens? Make sure to give us all the details when you post the photos. Looking forward to seeing them.

[sgriggs2006]

The most of these are from tonight.
Vivitar 285 (old version) triggered w/ Cowboy Studio triggers. 1/4 power.
Camera on Manual: ISO 800, F/3.2, Shutter usually at 1/250 unless I screw up the dial by accident.
For what I need, these are perfect. (for my newspaper market and print sales to parents).
Granted, I am not shooting for SI! :-)
No post processing save for cropping for posting here.
Will post a shot from across court just to show what the backlight would look like.

cheers,
sue.

[sgriggs2006]

Perhaps noone is interested in volleyball! :-)
These were taken w/ a D700 w/ a f/2.8 70-210..and thats about all the important info.
These shots kinda show the effect.
The flash was probably 12 ft in the air? On the top bleacher, then about 3 feet over my head?
Cheers.
sue.

[Old Timer]

Very nice results for a single strobe setup. I am surprised at the minimal shadows that were generated from this setup. As you say for your marketing purposes these should be great. Doesn't hurt to have a D700 with great high ISO capabilities.

[daoliv]

They let you use strobes? They will nto allow me to use any type of lighting. Had to go with a 50 mm f/1.4 to get good shots with.

[daoliv]

the last volleyball pics I shot I used my D7000 with a 50 mm f/1.4g. Camera settings were sp 1/1000, iso 4000 at f/1.6. No flash but I feel the shots came out great.

[Photo-John]

the last volleyball pics I shot I used my D7000 with a 50 mm f/1.4g. Camera settings were sp 1/1000, iso 4000 at f/1.6. No flash but I feel the shots came out great.

Post some of those photos so we can see! ISO 4000 sounds really high to me. They weren't too noisy?

[Photo-John]

Perhaps noone is interested in volleyball! :-)

I admit, volleyball is not my thing

But I am interested in the challenges of sports photography and how we solve our various photographic problems. I expect I always have something to learn from other photographers and other subjects. And maybe something to offer, too. In this case, I'm seeing some white balance issues and I also think shallower depth-of-field would make these better. What aperture are you shooting at? I'm finding the backgrounds a bit distracting and shallower depth-of-field would help soften them and put the emphasis more on the players.

It is amazing that the one flash works so well. That D700 can't hurt, though

[Old Timer]

I'm with PJ love to see some D7000 ISO 4000 images. I'm on the fence on weather to go with a D7000 or get another D700, love to see some sports work with the D7000.