Vermont State XC championships
Oct 29, 2018 21:14:31 #
david vt
Loc: Vermont
Hi
Apologize in advance for the long post, but my first XC post of the season
Have been trying to learn to shoot XC this season at the high school level. Not posted much as it has been a struggle, mostly to get focus.
One interesting new issue has been catching runners with their eyes open. Kept thinking that I just had bad luck in timing. Finally figured out that the eyes were not closed, but that the runners were just looking down and I had to shoot from a slightly lower angle.
So these are the state championships. Very challenging day, for both runners and photographer (me). 33F and continuously switching between snow/sleet/rain.
Shot with my D7200 and 70-200. The lighting was challenge. Darker than heck. (Makes last year’s middle school BB gyms look bright). Shot most of this at SS400-500 and between 2.8 and 3.2, letting ISO float. ISO climbed up to about at max 2500, so I am pretty happy with sharpness as a result. (Most of these images will never get beyond social media).
Most of the season I was shooting f2.8, but found focus always seemed a little behind subject. Thought it was as they were running toward me and the slight difference between focus and shutter (BBF continuous). Tried opening up to 3.2 and I think it helped. Might have tried slightly smaller aperture, but was too dark.
Post processing was slight enhancement on color/brightness and some cropping to get tight on the runner (the 200 only reaches so far)
Suggestions on shooting and PP welcome. I have 3 more seasons to shoot until my son graduates (the last pic - I could not resist including).
Specific question. As the season wore on, I found myself trying to shoot tighter on upper torso and/or cropping more off legs and feet. I did not think it was adding a lot. Opinions if I should try to shoot full body (all the ways down to the toes) or just upper-to- 3/4s body?
Finally, you want to see tough? Take a look at the girls in the later pictures. The weather deteriorated as the day wore on (more sleet and rain).
4th shot down of the 6 is my favorite
Apologize in advance for the long post, but my first XC post of the season
Have been trying to learn to shoot XC this season at the high school level. Not posted much as it has been a struggle, mostly to get focus.
One interesting new issue has been catching runners with their eyes open. Kept thinking that I just had bad luck in timing. Finally figured out that the eyes were not closed, but that the runners were just looking down and I had to shoot from a slightly lower angle.
So these are the state championships. Very challenging day, for both runners and photographer (me). 33F and continuously switching between snow/sleet/rain.
Shot with my D7200 and 70-200. The lighting was challenge. Darker than heck. (Makes last year’s middle school BB gyms look bright). Shot most of this at SS400-500 and between 2.8 and 3.2, letting ISO float. ISO climbed up to about at max 2500, so I am pretty happy with sharpness as a result. (Most of these images will never get beyond social media).
Most of the season I was shooting f2.8, but found focus always seemed a little behind subject. Thought it was as they were running toward me and the slight difference between focus and shutter (BBF continuous). Tried opening up to 3.2 and I think it helped. Might have tried slightly smaller aperture, but was too dark.
Post processing was slight enhancement on color/brightness and some cropping to get tight on the runner (the 200 only reaches so far)
Suggestions on shooting and PP welcome. I have 3 more seasons to shoot until my son graduates (the last pic - I could not resist including).
Specific question. As the season wore on, I found myself trying to shoot tighter on upper torso and/or cropping more off legs and feet. I did not think it was adding a lot. Opinions if I should try to shoot full body (all the ways down to the toes) or just upper-to- 3/4s body?
Finally, you want to see tough? Take a look at the girls in the later pictures. The weather deteriorated as the day wore on (more sleet and rain).
4th shot down of the 6 is my favorite
Start of boys Varsity race
(Download)
Final turn coming into finish
(Download)
Leading runner
(Download)
Girls JV race
(Download)
Tougher than nails! Look at the mud!
(Download)
Coming into the finish
(Download)
(Download)
Oct 30, 2018 08:28:20 #
Oct 30, 2018 09:24:41 #
Oct 30, 2018 10:26:18 #
Oct 30, 2018 10:48:15 #
Good work. You captured interesting expressions and conveyed the movement with timing. Thanks for sharing.
Oct 30, 2018 11:50:37 #
Oct 30, 2018 12:05:05 #
david vt
Loc: Vermont
Thank you to all whom have replied. It has been a steep learning curve this fall, but my keeper rate, especially those just “good enough” for teammate parents, has improved. I was actually surprised on how dark it was to shoot in the woods and under what seemed to be ALWAYS overcast skies.
I think I might need a slightly longer lens, and may look at an extender for the 70-200. (As a longer new lens is not in the card$ right now). Any thoughts on this from those whom have shot XC, marathons, or longer T&F events?
FYI - that fog behind the boys in pic #1 is not fog - but the full on snowstorm moving in!
Thanks again
I think I might need a slightly longer lens, and may look at an extender for the 70-200. (As a longer new lens is not in the card$ right now). Any thoughts on this from those whom have shot XC, marathons, or longer T&F events?
FYI - that fog behind the boys in pic #1 is not fog - but the full on snowstorm moving in!
Thanks again
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